Head of School

Full Job Description

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Job Title:  Head of School
Salary:     Up to £70,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
Location: Oak Tree School, Truro, TR4 9NH
Hours:      42.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8am - 4:30pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        March 2026
UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, Oak Tree School is seeking an exceptional Head of School to join our dedicated team and lead the next stage of our journey. This is a unique opportunity for an inspiring leader to shape a school culture where pupils thrive, staff feel empowered and high standards are the norm.

Working closely with the Executive Headteacher, you will play a key role in delivering outstanding educational experiences for pupils while driving strategic development, operational excellence and a strong culture of wellbeing.

About the Role

As Head of School, you will lead with compassion, vision and ambition, ensuring every pupil receives a personalised, inclusive and therapeutic education that enables them to reach their full potential.

You’ll balance strategic leadership with a hands-on presence across the school, supporting staff, engaging with pupils and driving continuous improvement.

You will:

• Leading the school to deliver exceptional outcomes for pupils academically, socially and personally
• Creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where safeguarding and wellbeing are central
• Leading, motivating and developing staff to build a high-performing and collaborative team
• Supporting the Executive Headteacher with strategic planning, school improvement and operational leadership
• Strengthening relationships with pupils, families, local authorities and external partners
• Overseeing self-evaluation, progress monitoring and school improvement planning
• Ensuring compliance with DfE, Ofsted and safeguarding requirements
• Shaping a school culture built on high expectations, compassion and innovation

This role combines strategic oversight with hands-on leadership, offering the autonomy to shape a school culture where pupils thrive, staff are inspired, and high standards are the norm.

About You

You are an inspirational leader who believes every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed.

You will bring:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent
• Senior leadership experience within SEN, SEMH or specialist education settings
• Strong knowledge of autism, complex needs and therapeutic approaches
• Proven experience leading teams and delivering strong educational outcomes
• Expertise in curriculum leadership, assessment and school improvement
• The ability to inspire staff, engage pupils and build strong community relationships

You will be a confident, empathetic leader capable of inspiring staff, engaging pupils, and fostering strong community relationships. A full UK driving licence is required.

About Us

Oak Tree School in Truro is a specialist SEMH provision supporting children and young people with social, emotional, mental health, communication, and associated needs. 

We provide a nurturing, structured environment where pupils rebuild confidence, engage with learning, and develop independence. A personalised curriculum, therapeutic support, and life skills teaching help remove barriers and promote wellbeing.

Working closely with families, we empower every pupil to thrive, achieve their potential, and prepare for a successful future. 

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

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.

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