Head of School

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:     Head of School

Location:       Waterloo Lodge School, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 7AX

Salary:       Up to £70,000 per annum depending on experience

Hours:       40 hours per week; Monday - Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm

Contract:       Permanent, Term Time Only

Start Date:   Immediate Start

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Head of School to join our close-knit team at Waterloo Lodge School located in Chorley, Lancashire.

About the role

The Head of School will provide effective operational leadership and management of the school that ensures the school meets its aims and objectives. The key objectives that the Head of School is expected to achieve are as follows:

• Outstanding outcomes for students that are a reflection of their needs, abilities and aptitudes.
• A safe environment that protects the welfare of students and staff in the school.
• Alongside the Executive Headteacher, meeting all statutory requirements as defined by the DfE, Ofsted and other external bodies and achieving the highest inspection ratings possible.
• The creation and management of 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.
• Supporting the Executive Headteacher with the commercial success of the school as defined by occupancy targets, the rigorous management of costs and the development and implementation of growth plans as appropriate.
• Alongside the Executive Headteacher, effective strategic and operational planning, that includes self-evaluation, school improvement and delivery.
• A shared vision, that fits within the overall Outcomes First Group strategy, which inspires and motivates students, staff and all other members of the school community.

Qualification

• QTS
• NPQH (highly desirable but not essential)
• Driving Licence (Desirable)

About us

Waterloo Lodge is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 18, catering for pupils with a wide range of needs in Lancashire, Manchester and surrounding areas. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life.

We pride ourselves in steering pupils in the right direction, nurturing aspiration to progress them academically and socially, to encourage them to take pride in their achievements. Socially, we build confidence in our students, so they are able to have a greater understanding of the wider community in which they live.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. 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?

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. 

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 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. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit 

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