At OFG we give you time to enjoy those special moments and hobbies outside of work Job Title: Head of School Location: Parkside House School, Backworth, NE27 0AB Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday Salary: Up to £65,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata) Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only Start: September 2026 UK applicants only – no sponsorship available About the Role At Parkside House School, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel safe, valued and empowered to achieve their full potential. We are seeking an exceptional Head of School to lead our specialist provision into its next exciting chapter — a passionate and ambitious leader who can inspire staff, champion safeguarding and create a culture where pupils thrive academically, socially and emotionally. This is more than a leadership position — it’s your opportunity to shape the future of a school, influence lives every day and make a lasting difference to children and young people with additional needs. As Head of School, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all aspects of school life, ensuring outstanding standards in education, wellbeing, safeguarding and school improvement. You’ll lead a dedicated and talented team, drive a positive and aspirational culture, and ensure the school continues to deliver high-quality, therapeutic and engaging learning experiences for every pupil. Working closely with families, local authorities and external partners, you’ll play a vital role in building strong relationships and ensuring every child receives the support they need to succeed. What You’ll Do As part of our committed team, you will: Leading the school to deliver exceptional outcomes across academic, social and personal development Creating a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where pupils and staff can flourish Driving excellence in teaching, learning, behaviour and therapeutic support Leading, developing and motivating staff through effective recruitment, CPD and performance management Overseeing strategic planning, self-evaluation and continuous school improvement Ensuring full compliance with DfE, Ofsted and safeguarding requirements Supporting operational and commercial success, including occupancy and referral management Building strong partnerships with families, local authorities and external professionals Promoting the values and vision of Acorn Education across the wider organisation What We’re Looking For You are an inspiring, resilient and forward-thinking leader with a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people. We are looking for someone who: QTS or equivalent qualification Strong leadership experience within SEND or specialist education Deep understanding of safeguarding, SEND and high-quality teaching and learning Excellent strategic, operational and people leadership skills A collaborative and solution-focused approach A commitment to excellence, innovation and continuous improvement About Us Welcome to Parkside House School, an SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) Independent Special School with sites in Backworth and Ashington. We provide specialist teaching, small class sizes, bespoke timetables, and a nurturing, friendly environment for pupils aged KS2 Year 6–KS5. Our school supports students with SEMH needs and associated learning difficulties, including autism, ADHD, attachment disorders, and oppositional defiance disorder. Pupils thrive academically, socially, and personally, guided by a passionate, experienced team dedicated to unlocking their potential. Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact. We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running. Why Join Us? We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS. Life Assurance Pension scheme with options to increase contributions “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including: Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits Hundreds of UK and international discounts Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme Critical illness cover Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales. 1