Headteacher

Full Job Description

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

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).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job Title:   Headteacher

Location:   Kestrel House School, Crouch End, London N8 9EA

Salary:       Up to £85,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours:       Monday to Friday

Contract:   Permanent, Term Time Only

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Headteacher to join our close-knit team at Kestrel House School, part of Options Autism.

About the role

As a Headteacher, you will promote a relentless focus on high quality, creative learning, delivering our pupils educational needs, maximising pupil achievement, and their ability to develop.

As Headteacher you will have an infrastructure of support from central services for Finance, Resourcing, HR and IT including a network of supportive Headteachers from other schools alongside central school improvement support.

Key objectives expected to achieve:

• Outstanding outcomes for students that are a reflection of their needs, abilities and aptitudes.
• A safe environment that protects the welfare of pupils and staff in the school.
• Meeting all statutory requirements as defined by the DfE, Ofsted and other external bodies and achieving the highest inspection ratings possible.
• A motivated staff group that is fully engaged in the goal of achieving excellence in all areas of school life and who are committed to continuing personal and professional development.
• The commercial success of the school as defined by 100% occupancy, the rigorous management of costs and the development and implementation of growth plans as appropriate.
• Effective strategic and operational planning, that includes self-evaluation, school improvement and delivery.
• A shared vision, that fits within the overall Acorn Group strategy, which inspires and motivates students, staff and all other members of the school community.

Essential:

• At least three years’ experience as a senior leader in a specialist school for pupils with complex communication needs
• Qualified Teacher Status or Equivalent
• Willingness to extend personal and professional development
• Ability to lead and provide a clear vision
• Appreciation and understanding that leadership and management of school encompasses processes contributing to pupil outcomes, staff motivation, keeping pupils safe, filling the school with pupils, managing costs, meeting regulatory requirements and applying growth plans as appropriate

Desirable:

• Completion of NPQH
• Experience of conducting performance management
• Experience of appointing, managing and inducting staff
• Experience of planning the curriculum across a range of ages and abilities

About Us

Kestrel House School is a Special Educational Needs (SEN) School. We help educate and support pupils who have complex needs and specialise in the communication and learning challenges associated with Autism.

We want each pupil at Kestrel House School to achieve their own ambitions and to live fulfilling and productive lives. We want you to encourage everyone to achieve their potential and dream big, despite of any challenges you or they may face. This can be achieved by assisting and supporting the class teachers with the agreed learning plans, whilst also being responsible for safeguarding the pupils. This will include making sure they are healthy, safe and as comfortable as possible and assisting with the physical, emotional, educational and personal care needs for each individual.

The site is in London, Haringey Borough within Crouch End area, quite close to central London. The location has the advantage of easy access to public transport, having the over ground station located 5 to 10 min walk away from the school and a 2 bus stops right outside of the school front gates.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. 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 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. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

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.

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