Assistant Headteacher

Full Job Description

At OFG we believe in creating a better work life balance

Job Title:  Assistant Headteacher
Location:  Oak Tree School, Truro, Cornwall TR4 9NH
Hours:  42.5 per week | Monday to Friday | 8.00am – 4.30pm
Salary:  £51,250.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:  November 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Lead with Purpose. Influence the Whole School. Help Every Pupil Thrive.

We’re looking for an ambitious and inspirational Assistant Headteacher to join the leadership team at Oak Tree School and help shape the next stage of our school’s development.

Working closely with the Headteacher, you’ll have real influence across the school, helping drive high standards in education, strengthen teaching and learning, develop colleagues and create an environment where every pupil has the opportunity to succeed academically, socially and emotionally.

This is a hands on leadership position for someone who wants to be visible, involved and connected to everyday school life. You’ll combine strategic thinking with practical leadership, supporting staff, monitoring quality and helping turn the school’s vision into positive experiences and outcomes for pupils.

Your Leadership Impact

As Assistant Headteacher, you’ll:

• Work alongside the Headteacher to shape and deliver the school’s vision, values and strategic priorities
• Help lead the day to day operation of the school, providing confident and visible leadership for pupils and colleagues
• Monitor and strengthen teaching, learning, pupil progress and educational outcomes
• Lead, coach and develop colleagues, promoting high expectations, professional development and staff wellbeing
• Help create a positive and inclusive school culture where pupils feel supported, understood and ready to learn
• Champion high standards of behaviour through positive relationships, clear expectations and consistent practice
• Contribute to school improvement planning, policy development and the evaluation of school performance
• Manage resources effectively and support initiatives that deliver meaningful and sustainable improvement

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for an experienced educational leader who is ready to take on significant responsibility and influence at whole school level.

You’ll need:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in the UK or equivalent
• A relevant degree
• Proven leadership experience within education
• The ability to inspire, support and develop colleagues while maintaining high expectations
• A strong commitment to delivering high quality, individualised education
• A collaborative and aspirational approach to leadership
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills
• The confidence to make considered decisions in the best interests of pupils
• High standards of professionalism, integrity and consistency
• A genuine commitment to helping pupils achieve the best possible outcomes

This is an opportunity to take the next step in senior leadership without losing sight of why you chose education in the first place.

At Oak Tree School, your leadership will be felt in classrooms, in the development of colleagues, in the culture of the school and, most importantly, in the experiences and achievements of pupils.

About Us

Oak Tree School in Truro has recently expanded and developed two new buildings and undergone a successful inspection from Ofsted allowing us to offer a wider age range of pupils from 5 – 18 years the opportunity to have the best education possible. Oak Tree School is a specialist SEMH provision positioned near the city of Truro in Cornwall. The school provides full-time specialist co-education for up to 135 pupils and young people aged 5 to 18 who experience social, emotional, mental health, communication difficulties and associated challenging behaviours. These pupils and young people often cannot cope, function or achieve within a mainstream environment. The aim is to provide a structured, nurturing approach, with pupils accessing a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum to meet their significant needs.

This opportunity is in Truro which is within commutable distance of Redruth, St Austell and surrounding areas.

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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