Job description

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!

Job title: Assistant Headteacher - Curriculum and Exams

Location: The Tower School, Epping

Salary: Negotiable dependent upon experience

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm

Contract: Permanent, Term Time only

Start date: April 2025

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced Assistant Headteacher to lead the curriculum and Exams provision at The Tower School, a specialist independent school for young people with Autism and co-occurring, complex needs.

Main purpose

The assistant headteacher will support the headteacher and deputy headteacher in:

Communicating the school’s vision compellingly and supporting the headteacher’s strategic leadership
The day-to-day management of and recruitment to the school
Formulating the aims and objectives of the school
Establishing policies for achieving these aims and objectives
Managing staff and resources to that end
Monitoring progress towards meeting the school’s aims and objectives
Leading staff training and staff meetings;
Hosting and organising whole school events such as open days and parents evening and responding to the views, needs and requests of children, staff, parents, governors and visitors.

Duties and responsibilities

Teaching, curriculum and assessment

Under the direction of the headteacher or deputy headteacher, the assistant headteacher will:

Establish and sustain high-quality teaching across subjects and phases, based on evidence
Ensure the teaching of a broad, structured and coherent curriculum
Establish curriculum leadership, including subject leaders with relevant expertise and access to professional networks and communities
Use valid, reliable and proportionate approaches to assessing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the curriculum
Ensure the use of evidence-informed approaches to reading so all pupils are taught to read and embrace a love of reading for pleasure Ensure that all teaching demonstrates best practice, develops relationships, supports training and development and
ensures ‘quality teaching first’.
Take lead responsibility for ensuring the best possible curriculum offer, provision, progress and achievement for all pupils.
Act as a model professional setting an excellent example to teaching and support staff. They will actively and demonstrably promote achievement through building and implementing agreed school policies.
Lead by example in their own teaching practice, and by positively encouraging and supporting all members of staff.
Work to ensure that the school offers a high quality, exciting, engaging, well resourced, differentiated curriculum and well-matched learning opportunities for all pupils at the school

To view the job description, please click here - Assistant Headteacher JD

About the school

The Tower School is an independent special day school for pupils ages 11 – 18 years who have a primary diagnosis of Autism. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who will often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life.

This opportunity is based in Epping, Essex, CM16 4BA and is located on Epping High Road within easy access of J26 of the M25 and Junction 5 of the M11. Epping is a lovely market town in Essex and just 17 miles (30km) from the centre of London. It is surrounded by Epping Forest and the River Roding and River Lea valleys. The school is just a 10-minute walk from Epping station on the London Undergrounds central line which will have you in London’s West End in under 50 minutes.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

**Why join Options Autism?**

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.

And that’s not all, 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 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.

Equal Opportunities

*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.

Job description

Amy Merrills