Deputy Headteacher

Full Job Description

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

Job Title:  Deputy Headteacher
Salary:     Up to £65,000 per annum (depending on experience, 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:        April 2026
UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we are delighted to invite an ambitious, forward-thinking, and inspirational Deputy Headteacher to join the exceptional team at New Barn School. This is a rare opportunity to step into a role with real influence, meaningful leadership responsibility, and the chance to positively shape young lives every day.

About the Role

Working alongside a passionate leadership team, you’ll play a pivotal role in driving school improvement, nurturing staff development, and creating an environment where every pupil can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

As Deputy Headteacher, you will help deliver a high-quality, inclusive education service that reflects both company values and regulatory standards. Working closely with the Headteacher, senior leaders, and key stakeholders, you will champion high expectations, strengthen teaching and learning, and ensure outstanding outcomes for all students.

This position has been created as part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening and expanding our leadership team — offering you the opportunity to make a lasting strategic and operational impact within a growing school community.

Key Responsibilities 

• Uphold and promote robust safeguarding procedures in line with local safeguarding board guidance and best practice.
• Participate in the assessment and review of student referrals, ensuring appropriate placements and support.
• Lead and coordinate the school curriculum, ensuring quality, consistency, and continuous development.
• Act as lead teacher for positive behaviour support, promoting inclusive strategies that successfully support behaviour that may challenge.
• Work collaboratively as a key member of the multidisciplinary team, including education, residential care, and clinical colleagues.
• Monitor student progress and outcomes, ensuring each learner achieves their individual targets and planned success.
• Work closely with the clinical team to oversee Behaviour Support Plans, providing guidance, consultation, and ensuring plans remain effective, reviewed, and up to date.

Who We’re Looking For

You will be a resilient and compassionate leader with the vision and drive to inspire both students and colleagues. Passionate about inclusive education, you will combine strategic thinking with hands-on leadership and a genuine commitment to improving lives.

You will bring:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent
• A full UK driving licence
• Proven experience in middle or senior leadership within education
• A strong track record of raising standards and improving outcomes
• Excellence as a classroom practitioner across multiple key stages
• Outstanding communication, organisational, and people leadership skills
• A deep commitment to inclusion, safeguarding, and pupil wellbeing

If you are ready to take the next step in your leadership journey and join a school where your leadership will truly matter — where you can influence culture, inspire teams, and transform outcomes — we would love to hear from you.

About Us

New Barn School, part of Options Autism, 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 pupil’s Education, Health and Care Plan. Pupils 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.

For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils 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 pupils 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.

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.

#1