Head of School

Full Job Description

How would you like to be 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.

We’re proud to be taking part in a 4-Day Working Week Trial, meaning you could work one day less a week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay. 

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

Head of School – Oakfield House School, Preston, PR4 0YH
Salary: Up to £70,000 per annum (dependent on experience) | Hours: 37.5/week | Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only | Start: ASAP / Nov 2025
UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship.

Are you a visionary leader ready to inspire, empower, and transform the lives of pupils?

Oakfield House School is seeking an exceptional Head of School to lead our passionate, dedicated team in Salwick, Preston. This is more than a leadership role—it’s an opportunity to shape a school where creativity, curiosity, and confidence flourish, and every child is encouraged to achieve their fullest potential.

About the Role

As Head of School, you will champion an environment where learning is engaging, innovative, and tailored to each pupil’s needs. Your leadership will ensure that pupils not only meet but exceed their academic and personal development goals, thriving in a culture of support, challenge, and encouragement.

You will be supported by a strong infrastructure, including the Executive Headteacher, central services for finance, HR, IT, and resourcing, and a network of experienced Headteachers. This support allows you to focus on shaping the school’s vision and strategic direction, while ensuring that high standards are maintained across teaching, learning, and wellbeing.

A central part of your role will be to craft and communicate a shared vision that inspires pupils, staff, and the wider school community. Your strategic leadership will drive sustained school improvement, foster innovation, and create a school culture where everyone feels valued, empowered, and proud to belong.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience working with students with autistic spectrum disorders and/or challenging behaviour.
• Previous experience as a Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher.
• Knowledge of Ofsted procedures and inspections.
• Strong ability to manage budgets effectively and ensure cost efficiency.
• Relevant teaching qualification.

At Oakfield House School, we celebrate diversity, nurture talent, and champion inclusion at every level. If you are a compassionate, ambitious, and inspirational leader who thrives on making a meaningful difference in the lives of pupils, this is your chance to lead a school where your vision and energy will have a lasting impact.

Step into leadership. Transform lives. Inspire the future.

About Us

Oakfield House School is a small, independent primary school dedicated to supporting autistic children aged 4–12, including those with additional learning, communication, or behavioral needs.

Housed in a charming country home built in the 1880s, Oakfield House School is set within eight acres of peaceful parkland, providing a calm, inspiring environment for learning and growth. With a nurturing and highly committed leadership team, we create a safe, structured, and welcoming space where every child can thrive.

We cater to a close-knit community of 45 boys and girls and are conveniently located in Salwick, Preston, within easy reach of Preston, Blackpool, Chorley, Leyland, and surrounding areas.

For over 19 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

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.

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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