Deputy Headteacher

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!

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!

Job Title:         Deputy Headteacher, Student Culture and Welfare

Location:     Heath Farm College, Maidstone, ME16 0ER

Salary:             Up to £55,000 per annum depending on experience

Hours:             35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract:        Permanent, Term Time Only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Deputy Headteacher to join our close-knit team at Heath Farm College located in Maidstone.

About the role

• To lead and model the highest standards of education and learning, alongside promoting and modelling the college’s values of ‘Love, Commitment and Opportunity’
• To operate as a member of the college leadership team and deputise for the Head of College when necessary 
• To provide professional strategic and operational leadership for identified aspects of the College Improvement Plan
• To promote the culture of safeguarding within the college
• To ensure the highest standards of welfare and safety for the students
• To model and uphold the students’ ‘Code of Conduct’
• To ensure the college Programme of Study enhances student personal development, cultural capital and celebrates diversity 
• To build upon the already established high quality of pastoral care and support, by effectively leading on student culture and welfare 
• To model a ‘lifelong learning’ culture throughout the college 
• To lead on SEND strategies across the college and to lead on EHCP Annual Reviews, PEPs, CLA reviews and other professionals’ meetings, to further develop, with the Head of College, the continuum matrix for bespoke student outcomes across PEPs and EHCPs
• To maintain a culture that promotes excellence, equality and high expectations for all students 
• Actively seek and promote positive and creative solutions to challenges and opportunities 
• To ensure equality of opportunity for all 
• To ensure implementation of the college’s policies and modelling of the highest standards of leadership and management 
• To contribute to the sustaining, development, and review of policies, practices and structures that drive forward the college’s improvement
•  Implement the areas of the College Improvement Plan for which they are responsible 
• To use resources efficiently and effectively to ensure outstanding quality of provision that meets the needs of all students 

Qualifications required

• QTS

About us

We are an independent specialist sixth form college that caters for young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. We offer a unique and stimulating environment where every student is able to make outstanding progress in their personal development and enjoy success in their education. 

Heath Farm College is situated in Maidstone and has capacity to support up to 58 students. The provision facilitates a professional post 16 provision for students with EHCPs who are not ready for a large FE college or large school/academy 6th Form provision. 

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education and residential care for vulnerable pupils and young people. 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?

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

And that’s not all, 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.

*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.