Job Description

Full
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
Location: Papworth Hall School, Papworth Everard, CB23 3RD
Salary: Up to 50,000 per annum depending on experience (not pro rata)
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
Start: November 2025
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
Papworth Hall School - part of Options Autism - is seeking an experienced and passionate Assistant Headteacher - Quality of Education to join our dedicated Senior Leadership Team. This is a pivotal leadership role with strategic and operational responsibilities, as well as some teaching duties.
About the Role
This is a key leadership role within the school, you will work closely with the Headteacher and SLT to drive excellence across teaching, learning, and curriculum provision. You will ensure every pupil receives a rich, broad, and balanced curriculum tailored to their individual needs, aligned with their EHCPs. In this role, you will champion high standards, support staff development, and embed a culture of continuous improvement across the school.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead on the quality of education, including curriculum development, teaching, and learning.
• Ensure all pupils have equal access to a broad and balanced curriculum that meets their EHCP and individual needs.
• Monitor and drive pupil progress, using data and evidence to inform strategies and interventions.
• Support the Headteacher in fulfilling statutory SEND and EHCP responsibilities, including chairing annual review meetings and ensuring paperwork is completed efficiently.
• Establish and oversee curriculum systems, processes, and policies to ensure accessibility and inclusivity.
• Line-manage subject leads and teaching staff, including appraisals and performance monitoring.
• Support quality assurance initiatives across the school, promoting best practice and a culture of continuous professional development.
• Liaise effectively with families, external professionals, and agencies to support pupil progress and wellbeing.
• Contribute to whole-school improvement planning and participate in senior leadership meetings.

Who We're Looking For
The ideal candidate is a confident, skilled, and motivated leader who:

• Holds a relevant bachelor's degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Has experience in school leadership and is ready to step into or grow within a senior leadership role.
• Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills with staff, pupils, families, and external partners.
• Is knowledgeable about curriculum implementation, assessment, and SEND best practice.
• Is confident in managing EHCP processes and statutory responsibilities.
• Is committed to inclusive education, high standards, and pupil-centred practice.
• Highly organised, solutions-focused, and emotionally intelligent.

Desirable:

• NASENCO qualification or willingness to work towards it.
• Experience in SEND or alternative provision settings.

About Us
Papworth Hall School is in the picturesque village in Cambridgeshire. It is within close proximity to Huntingdon and Cambridge. Our new specialist school caters for young people with complex communication needs, autism and associated learning and emotional needs and has the capacity for 30 students.
For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. 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?
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 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.
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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Skills Required