How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?
At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.
That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.
Our school will adopt the 4DWW once we have a full team in place — and with the rollout already underway across the wider Group, now is the perfect time to join #teamOFG.
Job Title:
Deputy Headteacher - Quality of Education
Location:
The Holden School, Leigh WN7 4SB
Salary:
Up to £60,000.00 per annum depending on experience
(not pro rata)
Hours:
37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract:
Permanent, Term Time Only
Start Date: January 2026
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
The Holden School is seeking an exceptional Deputy Headteacher – Quality of Education to join our senior leadership team and play a pivotal role in delivering outstanding education for children and young people with complex needs.
Working in close partnership with the Headteacher, you will help lead a supportive, inclusive and high-performing school community—driving excellence in teaching, learning and behaviour support, while ensuring every pupil is supported to achieve their full potential.
This is a rewarding leadership opportunity for an experienced, resilient and values-driven professional who is passionate about inclusive education and collaborative, multi-disciplinary working.
About the Role
As Deputy Headteacher at The Holden School, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the school, with a clear focus on curriculum leadership, quality of education and positive behaviour support.
You will be a key member of the multi-disciplinary team, working closely with education, residential and clinical colleagues to ensure a joined-up approach that delivers the best possible outcomes for pupils. You will model outstanding practice, inspire staff and build strong, effective relationships with families, professionals and regulatory bodies.
Key Responsibilities
Work with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to secure high standards across all aspects of school life
Act as overall curriculum lead, ensuring coherence, quality and progression across the school
Lead on positive behaviour support, including oversight of Behaviour Support Plans in collaboration with the clinical team
Monitor pupil progress and targets to ensure individual outcomes are achieved
Participate in referral assessments and placement decision-making
Work as a core member of the multi-disciplinary team, linking education, care and clinical provision
Ensure compliance with safeguarding procedures, SEND Code of Practice and relevant legislation
Maintain effective partnerships with families, carers, external professionals and partner organisations
Model and promote high-quality practice in teaching, assessment and behaviour support
Undertake agreed teaching responsibilities
Staff Leadership and Management
Support recruitment, induction, training and professional development of staff
Line manage staff through supervisions, appraisals, probation reviews and wellbeing processes
Delegate responsibilities appropriately and support staff to meet expectations
Promote and embed company values, policies and regulatory standards across the team
Deputise for the Headteacher and represent the school as required
This role is suited to an experienced, resilient and collaborative leader who is committed to inclusive practice and improving outcomes for pupils with additional and complex needs.
Who we are looking for
You will have:
Experience teaching children and young people with autism, complex needs and/or challenging behaviour
Experience leading on the quality of education
Knowledge of Ofsted frameworks and inspection processes
Proven experience managing and developing staff
Experience managing budgets and resources effectively
Strong leadership and people-management skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong organisational, IT and time-management skills
Strong knowledge of safeguarding and regulatory requirements
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Relevant sector qualifications
Willingness to undertake further training as required
Full UK Driving Licence
Strong commitment to company values and inclusive education
About Us
The Holden School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 5 to 16, catering for pupils with a wide range of needs in Lancashire, Manchester and surrounding areas. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life. We are a Therapeutic Led, Trauma Informed School providing individualised curriculums for our students supported by our Class Teams, our Pastoral Team and our own Therapists.
We pride ourselves in steering pupils in the right direction, nurturing aspiration to progress them academically and socially, to encourage them to take pride in their achievements. Socially, we build confidence in our students, so they are able to have a greater understanding of the wider community in which they live.
We are part of Acorn Education
and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.
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 Acorn Education?
We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to 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.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
Life Assurance
Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
“Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
Cycle to Work Schemes
Electric Car Purchase Scheme
Critical illness cover
Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit
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.
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