Assistant Headteacher

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Job Title:    Assistant Headteacher
Location:   Abbey Gardens School, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 6SA
Hours:        40 hours per week | Monday to Friday 
Salary:       Up to £50,000.00 per annum (depending on skills and experience, not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:  September 2026 (If possible)
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

Join #teamOFG and enjoy a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW )!

We’re trialling a 4DWW — 80% of the hours for 100% of your pay!* At this school, it will launch once we have a full team in place, so there’s never been a better time to join and help shape the future!

About the Role 

We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Headteacher to join our close-knit team at Abbey Gardens School, a new addition to the Acorn Education family. Be part of shaping a brand-new school and making a lasting impact on the lives of our pupils from the very beginning.

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Assistant Headteacher to join our leadership team. This exciting role offers the opportunity to influence the strategic direction of the school while having a hands-on impact on teaching, learning, and pupil development.

Working closely with the Headteacher, you will help define and embed the school’s vision, leading on curriculum development, assessment, and the promotion of high standards of behaviour and inclusive practice. You will play a key role in staff development, performance management, and fostering a collaborative and innovative culture across the school.

You will take lead responsibility for ensuring that every pupil receives a high-quality, personalised curriculum and support. Through careful monitoring and accountability, you will ensure that pupils make excellent progress academically, socially, and emotionally. You will also build strong, positive relationships with families, external partners, and the wider community, positioning the school as a hub of excellence and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on curriculum development, assessment, and teaching and learning strategies across the school.
• Monitor and evaluate pupil progress and achievement, holding staff accountable for outcomes.
• Support the Headteacher in setting and embedding the school’s vision, ethos, and strategic priorities.
• Promote high standards of behaviour, safeguarding, and pastoral care throughout the school.
• Develop, support, and appraise staff, providing coaching and professional development opportunities.
• Model outstanding teaching practice and mentor colleagues to enhance teaching standards.
• Lead initiatives that improve the quality of education and the overall pupil experience.
• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with pupils, families, external agencies, and the wider community.
• Contribute actively to school leadership meetings and strategic planning.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and school policies, including safeguarding and health and safety requirements.

Essential:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)/ QTLS or equivalent
• Proven experience in a senior or middle leadership role in a school setting
• Strong track record of raising pupil outcomes and improving teaching standards
• Excellent classroom practitioner with experience teaching across a range of key stages
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organisational skills
• Commitment to inclusion, safeguarding, and the wellbeing of all pupils
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and lead a team of teaching and support staff
• Full UK Driving Licence

About Us

Abbey Gardens is a brand-new specialist school, part of Acorn Education, opening in April 2026. The school will provide a nurturing and inclusive learning environment for pupils with SEMH needs.

Designed for young people aged 11–18, Abbey Gardens will offer personalised support to help every learner thrive. This exciting new provision is committed to building confidence, resilience, and positive futures.

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

*Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.

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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