Deputy Headteacher; Behaviour and Attitudes

Position: Deputy Headteacher (Behaviour and Attitudes)
Location: Leigh

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).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4

DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #team

OFG!

Job Title:

Deputy Headteacher

Location:

The Holden School, Leigh WN7 4SB

Salary:

Up to £55,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours:

37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract:

Permanent, Term Time Only

Start:

January 2026

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 with ASC and SEMH experience to join our close-knit team at The Holden School, part of Acorn Education.

About the Role

The Deputy Head Teacher (Behaviour and Attitudes) at The Holden School plays a pivotal leadership role within this Special School setting, which caters to pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) difficulties. This role is critical in shaping and sustaining a positive, safe, and predictable environment that supports pupils’ social, emotional, and academic development. The Deputy Head Teacher will lead strategically on behaviour and attitudes, ensuring these align with the school’s vision of enabling pupils who have previously struggled to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

Working closely with the Head Teacher, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), clinical staff, and wider school community, the Deputy Head will promote high expectations, implement innovative behaviour support strategies, and maintain strong safeguarding practises. The role demands a commitment to collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous improvement, consistent with The Holden School’s values of holistic pupil development, therapeutic integration, and family engagement.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Leadership and Strategic Development

Lead strategically on behaviour and attitudes under the direction of the Head Teacher, ensuring alignment with the school’s vision and ethos.

Contribute actively to SLT discussions, including broader educational developments beyond immediate school concerns.

Set and uphold high expectations for pupils, staff, and parents, challenging any low expectations and promoting a culture of excellence.

Develop and embed a school ethos that fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, accountability, and celebration of success.

Skills and Competencies

Qualifications and Experience

Qualified Teacher Status and Degree.

Experience in working pupils with SEMH and ASC

Professional development in preparation for a senior leadership role.

Proven leadership and management experience within a school, preferably with experience in Special Schools or SEMH settings.

Experience in school self-evaluation, development planning, and line management.

Strong understanding of behaviour management, safeguarding, attendance, and pastoral care best practises.

About Us

The Holden School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 5 to 16, 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 are a Therapeutic Led, Trauma Informed School providing individualised curriculums for our students supported by our Class Teams, our Pastoral Team and our own Therapists.

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.

We are part of Acorn Education and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education…