Headteacher

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!

Are you an innovative Headteacher committed to improving the lives of pupils and young people?

We are looking for a Headteacher for our New Options School - Trimdon Hill School in Durham. The school will have capacity for 40 pupils and is due to open in June 2025. We're recruiting for a Headteacher to help set up and grow our new school. 

Our New Options School will cater for pupils with a variety of needs including Autism. 

• Up to £80,000 per annum, depending on experience (not pro rata) - and performance related bonus. 
• 37.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday
• Term Time only
• Permanent

Through your knowledge and passion, you will have a real impact on the lives of pupils and young people. As Headteacher you will provide effective leadership and management of the school that ensures the school meets its aims and objectives and operates within the overall strategy and guidelines of Options Autism. 

About the role

As a Headteacher, you will promote a relentless focus on high quality, creative learning, delivering our pupils educational needs, maximising pupil achievement, and their ability to develop.

As Headteacher you will have an infrastructure of support from central services for Finance, Resourcing, HR and IT including a network of supportive Headteachers from other schools alongside central school improvement support. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Outstanding outcomes for Pupils and Young People that are a reflection of their needs, abilities and aptitudes.
• A safe environment that protects the welfare of Pupils and Young People and staff in the school.
• Meeting all statutory requirements as defined by the DfE, Ofsted and other external bodies and achieving the highest inspection ratings possible.
• ?A motivated staff group that is fully engaged in the goal of achieving excellence in all areas of school life and who are committed to continuing personal and professional development.
• The commercial success of the school as defined by 100% occupancy, the rigorous management of costs and the development and implementation of growth plans as appropriate.
• Effective strategic and operational planning, that includes self-evaluation, school improvement and delivery.
• A shared vision, that fits within the overall Options Autism strategy, which inspires and motivates students, staff and all other members of the school community.

Essential Criteria:

• At least three years’ experience as a senior leader in either mainstream or special educational needs schools
• Qualified Teacher Status or Equivalent
• Willingness to extend personal and professional development
• Ability to lead and provide a clear vision
• Appreciation and understanding that leadership and management of school encompasses processes contributing to pupil outcomes, staff motivation, keeping pupils safe, filling the school with pupils, managing costs, meeting regulatory requirements and applying growth plans as appropriate

Please see job description for more details and information. 

To learn more about Outcomes First Group, Acorn Education and Care and Options Autism please visit our website for more information: