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: Deputy Headteacher
Salary: Up to 58,000 per annum (not pro rata)
Location: New Barn School, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 8HZ
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8.30am-4.30pm | Wednesday 8.30am-5pm
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
Start: November 2025
UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
New Barn School, part of Acorn Education, is seeking an inspiring, visionary, and compassionate Deputy Headteacher - Quality of Education to join our supportive and ambitious leadership team. This is a rare opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people, helping them achieve their potential academically, socially, and personally in a school built on care, collaboration, and excellence.
About the Role
In this key leadership role, you will work closely with the Headteacher to shape the educational experience of every student. You will have the freedom to innovate, influence, and enhance the curriculum, ensuring it is engaging, inclusive, and tailored to the unique needs of our learners. You will be at the heart of a school community that values kindness, creativity, and growth-for pupils and staff alike.
Every day brings new opportunities to lead with empathy, inspire your team, and make a tangible difference in the school. Your strategic insight, vision, and enthusiasm will help create a nurturing environment where both students and staff thrive, and where achievement, wellbeing, and personal growth are celebrated equally.
Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Headteacher to provide visionary leadership and direction for the school.
• Champion a positive, inclusive, and aspirational school culture.
• Lead curriculum planning, monitoring, and improvement to ensure outstanding teaching and learning.
• Work collaboratively across a multi-disciplinary team to embed excellence in school policy and practice.
• Contribute to strategic planning, evidence-based school development, and initiatives that enrich the learning environment.
• Support and mentor staff, inspiring them to reach their full potential and deliver high-quality education.

Qualifications Required

• UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Full UK Driving Licence

If you are passionate about making a lasting impact, shaping a school culture where every student feels seen, supported, and challenged, and leading a talented and committed team, we would love to hear from you. At New Barn School, your leadership will be valued, your ideas welcomed, and every day will offer the chance to celebrate progress, achievement, and growth-both for pupils and staff.
About Us
New Barn School offers a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum to boys and girls, aged 6 - 19 years who have Social, Emotional and Mental Health complexities.
New Barn School takes full advantage of its beautiful settings and fosters a love for using the outdoor curriculum including forest school, farm experiences and horse riding. The School is within a commutable distance of Swindon, Oxford, Andover, Basingstoke and Reading and other surrounding towns and villages.
Our services offer a stable, secure and supportive environment, in which the pupils and young people we care for can develop the skills and confidence necessary to help them fulfil their potential.
Acorn Education is the UK's leading independent provider of specialist education. 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 Acorn Education?
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 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