Assistant Headteacher

Full Job Description

At OFG Education we give you time to enjoy those special moments and hobbies outside of work 

Job Title:  Assistant Headteacher
Salary:  £53,000 per annum (not pro rata)
Location:  New Barn School, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 8HZ
Hours:  40 hours per week | Monday–Friday
Rota:  8:30am–4:30pm (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri) | 8:30am–5:00pm (Wed)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:  November 2026
UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

About the Role

Lead with Purpose. Shape Education. Create Opportunities That Last.

As New Barn School continues to grow, we’re looking for an ambitious and inspirational Assistant Headteacher to join our Senior Leadership Team and help shape the next chapter of our school.

This is an opportunity to have genuine influence. Working closely with the Head of School, you’ll help drive school improvement, strengthen teaching and learning and create an ambitious curriculum that enables students with SEMH and complex needs to achieve meaningful and lasting outcomes.

Your leadership will be visible across the school. You’ll inspire and develop colleagues, champion high expectations and ensure students experience an environment where they feel safe, understood and encouraged to recognise what they can achieve.

For an experienced middle or senior leader ready for greater responsibility, this is an opportunity to combine strategic influence with hands-on educational leadership and make an impact that can be seen every day.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Work alongside the Headteacher to drive the strategic direction, development and continuous improvement of the school
• Lead the development of an ambitious, engaging and personalised curriculum for students with SEMH and complex needs
• Use assessment, evidence and data to strengthen student progress, achievement and outcomes
• Champion positive behaviour, wellbeing and pastoral practice, helping create a calm, consistent and nurturing school culture
• Coach, mentor and develop colleagues, promoting high-quality teaching and a culture of professional growth
• Provide visible and confident leadership, setting high expectations for students and colleagues
• Build strong partnerships with families, external professionals and the wider community to create the best possible opportunities for students
• Champion safeguarding, inclusion and student wellbeing across all aspects of school life
• A teaching commitment approx 0.4 fte

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a leader who combines ambition with empathy and understands how strong relationships, high expectations and excellent teaching can transform a young person’s experience of education.

You’ll bring:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent
• Proven middle or senior leadership experience within an educational setting
• A strong track record of raising standards and improving student outcomes
• Excellent classroom practice and experience teaching across multiple key stages
• The ability to inspire, coach and develop colleagues while driving improvement
• Strong communication, organisational and people leadership skills
• A genuine commitment to supporting students with additional needs to achieve their potential
• A clear commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and student wellbeing
• A full UK driving licence

About Our School

New Barn School, provides inclusive, nurturing education for autistic children and young people with complex needs across three sites. We deliver personalised learning, therapeutic support, and vocational opportunities tailored to each student’s Education, Health and Care Plan. students learn in small, supportive settings that promote confidence, independence, and emotional wellbeing. Built on strong partnerships with families, New Barn empowers every learner to thrive and prepare for life beyond school.

We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place students 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 students 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.

OFG Education 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, OFG Education 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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