Head Of School

Head of School

Location: Parkside House School, Backworth, NE27 0AB

Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday

Salary: Up to £65,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start: September 2026

UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Inspire. Lead. Transform Lives.

We’re looking for an exceptional Head of School to lead a vibrant, specialist learning community where every child and young person is supported to achieve their full potential. This is a pivotal role for a dynamic leader who can drive outstanding outcomes, champion safeguarding, motivate staff, and ensure the school thrives both educationally and commercially.

As Head of School, you’ll shape the vision, culture and strategic direction of the school, ensuring it operates to the highest standards and reflects the values of Acorn Education.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the school to deliver outstanding outcomes for children and young people across academic, personal and social development.
• Ensure a safe, nurturing environment, with robust safeguarding, health & safety and compliance systems.
• Oversee a high‑quality, engaging curriculum supported by strong assessment, therapeutic input and behaviour strategies.
• Build a motivated, skilled workforce through effective recruitment, performance management and CPD planning.
• Maintain full statutory compliance with DfE, Ofsted and all regulatory requirements.
• Drive the school’s commercial success, including occupancy, cost control and effective referral management.
• Lead strategic planning, self‑evaluation and continuous improvement across all areas of school life.
• Foster strong relationships with pupils, families, local authorities and external partners.
• Promote Acorn Education’s values and contribute to wider organisational development.
• Ensure clear communication, reporting and accountability to stakeholders, including Ofsted, LAs and the School Group Manager.

What We’re Looking For

• QTS or equivalent required
• Inspirational leadership and a passion for transforming the lives of children and young people.
• Deep understanding of SEND, safeguarding and high‑quality teaching and learning.
• Strong strategic thinking, operational management and people‑leadership skills.
• A commitment to excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement.

About Us

Welcome to Parkside House School, an SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) Independent Special School with sites in Backworth and Ashington. We provide specialist teaching, small class sizes, bespoke timetables, and a nurturing, friendly environment for pupils aged KS2 Year 6–KS5. Our school supports students with SEMH needs and associated learning difficulties, including autism, ADHD, attachment disorders, and oppositional defiance disorder. Pupils thrive academically, socially, and personally, guided by a passionate, experienced team dedicated to unlocking their potential.

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 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

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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