Deputy Headteacher and Curriculum Lead

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 .

Job Title: Deputy Headteacher and Curriculum Lead

Location: New Options School - Guildford, Surrey GU2 4DU

Salary: Up to £60,000.00 per annum depending on experience (Not pro rata)

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Start date: September 2026 (possibly earlier depending on business need)

As part of our exciting expansion, Options Autism is opening a brand-new specialist school in Guildford, designed to support children and young people with autism, learning disabilities, and complex needs.

We are now seeking a passionate and visionary Deputy Headteacher & Curriculum Lead to help lead this new provision - ensuring excellence in teaching, learning, and curriculum development from day one. This is a rare and rewarding opportunity to help build a school from the ground up, creating an inclusive environment where pupils can truly thrive - academically, socially, and emotionally.

About the Role

As Deputy Headteacher and Curriculum Lead, you will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, working closely with the Headteacher to set the tone, culture, and strategic direction of the school.

You'll be responsible for designing, leading, and evaluating an innovative and inclusive curriculum that meets the needs of our diverse learner population. Your focus will be on driving quality, raising standards, and ensuring consistency across teaching and learning practices.

This is a role that calls for vision, dedication, and heart.

Your Core Responsibilities Will Include:

• Leading on whole-school curriculum design, development, and delivery
• Overseeing the implementation of effective teaching, assessment and intervention strategies
• Coaching and supporting teachers to deliver outstanding, pupil-centred learning
• Monitoring the quality of education and contributing to self-evaluation and improvement planning
• Fostering a positive, inclusive and trauma-informed school culture
• Ensuring every pupil receives a meaningful, personalised education pathway
• Acting as a senior leader and deputising for the Headteacher as required
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with families, staff, external agencies and the wider community

Who we are looking for

You're a proven school leader with a deep understanding of SEN and a passion for transforming the lives of young people with autism and complex needs.

You bring a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on leadership. You're ready to lead with compassion, set high expectations, and model the values you want to see in the school. You have a detailed understanding of the barriers to learning that children with SEND may face - and you know how to help staff and pupils overcome them.

You're ambitious not just for yourself, but for your pupils and your team.

Essential Requirements:

• UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent
• Educated to Degree Level
• A successful track record of leadership in a school setting (middle or senior leadership)
• In-depth understanding of curriculum development and quality assurance in education
• Experience supporting children and young people with autism, learning difficulties and/or complex needs
• A commitment to inclusive, person-centred education
• Excellent communication, collaboration and leadership skills

Desirable:

• Experience working within a specialist or SEN setting
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, therapeutic or neurodiversity-affirming approaches
• Familiarity with inspection frameworks and school improvement planning
• A flexible, creative and emotionally intelligent leadership style

In return for your experience and commitment, we offer outstanding career opportunities, access to a network of great senior colleagues within the Outcomes First Group and the chance to shape the future and ongoing development of the school.

About Us

Opening in September 2026, this brand-new school in Guildford is part of the Options Autism group, a leading provider of specialist education individuals with complex needs. The school will support up to 40 pupils aged 11-18, offering a safe, structured, and inclusive environment tailored to meet a wide range of needs.

Our schools are unique environments, each one having its own special atmosphere and range of opportunities and resources. Our teachers enjoy becoming part of their school's 'family', exploring the potential of the building and environment and getting to know the brilliant pupils in our care.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided support and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. 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.