Assistant Headteacher - Behaviour and Inclusion

Full Job Description

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.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title:  Assistant Headteacher – Behaviour and Inclusion
Location:  Willow Park School, Milton Keynes, MK14 6LJ
Salary:      Up to £50,000 per annum dependent on experience (not pro rata)
Hours:      37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        January 2026

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for an Assistant Headteacher to join our close-knit team at Willow Park School, part of Acorn Education.

About the Role

As an Assistant Headteacher - Behaviour and Attitudes, you will play a pivotal role in driving high standards of student conduct and well-being. Your leadership will be instrumental in creating an environment where students feel safe, engaged, and ready to learn. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will lead the development of effective behaviour management strategies and support staff in fostering positive relationships with students.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on Behaviour Management: Develop and implement effective behaviour management systems that promote positive student behaviour, engagement, and a respectful school environment.
• Oversee Attendance and Well-being: Collaborate with the Family Support Team to monitor and improve attendance, ensuring timely interventions for students at risk of disengagement.
• Line Management Responsibilities: Directly work with the Safeguarding and Wellbeing lead in supporting Welfare, Family Support, and SENCO Teams, ensuring they provide high-quality support aligned with students' pastoral and educational needs. Directly line manage the Pastoral Lead in supporting student transition, regular CPI training for staff.
• Safeguarding Leadership: Act as a Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), ensuring all safeguarding protocols are adhered to across the school.
• Collaboration with Clinical Team: Serve as the key point of contact for the Clinical Team, ensuring students with complex needs receive appropriate interventions and support.

Who we are looking for

The ideal candidate would have the following attributes/qualifications:

• Qualified Teacher status
• Evidence of continuing professional development relating to school leadership and management, including strengthening Behaviour and Attitudes.
• Ability to identify own learning needs and to support others in identifying their learning needs
• Achieved or ambition to work towards an NPQ Senior Leader Courses
• At least 5 years successful teaching experience
• Experience of driving whole school initiatives with proven successful outcomes

Essential

• Full UK valid driving licence

Supporting Statement Guidance: Please tell us a little about yourself and why you are interested in this position. Referring to the job description, explain why you believe you are suitable for the role. Be sure to include details of your relevant skills and experience and describe how you would contribute to the role and the school if appointed.

You’ll be part of a warm, collaborative team that truly values the impact of great teaching. At Willow Park, we champion professional growth, work-life balance, and a culture of mutual respect — ensuring both staff and pupils thrive.

Join us and help shape brighter futures, one lesson at a time.

About us

Willow Park School is a brand-new specialist school in Milton Keynes for young people aged 9–16 with a range of complex needs. Our aim is simple: to equip every child with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed in the future. Through a therapeutic educational approach, supported by specialist facilities and an experienced team, we help students with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH), communication, interaction, and associated challenging behaviours to flourish in a safe and nurturing environment.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. 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 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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