Head of Faculty - Physical Education and Outdoor Education

Get Paid for Five Days but Only Work Four!

Position: Head of Faculty - Physical Education and Outdoor Education
Location: The Greater Horseshoe School, Heathfield, TQ12 6RH
Salary: From £44,000 per annum (dependent on experience, not pro rata)
Hours: 40.5 hours per week Monday to Friday
Rota: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:40pm Tuesday 8:30am-5:00pm (training)
Contract: Permanent Term Time Only
Start: March 2026

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

At Outcomes First Group, we put wellbeing first. That's why we're proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you work 80% of your hours for 100% of your pay . Many of our schools have already adopted the 4DWW, with others preparing to introduce it once fully staffed-making now a great time to join .

About the Role

The Head of Faculty (PE and Outdoor Education) is a key leadership role responsible for shaping, developing, and delivering an inspiring PE and Outdoor Education curriculum across all key stages. You will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, SENDCo, and clinical team to ensure every student has access to high-quality physical education, outdoor learning experiences, and extra-curricular opportunities that support their academic, social, and personal development. This role combines strategic leadership, curriculum oversight, and team management to ensure the department delivers excellence and promotes a culture of high expectations across the school.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop an engaging PE and Outdoor Education curriculum across all key stages and sites
• Ensure high standards of pupil attainment, progress, and outcomes within the faculty
• Inspire, motivate, and manage the PE and ODE team, providing supervision, performance management, and career development support
• Design and implement differentiated schemes of work that enable all students to make progress and achieve their potential
• Undertake regular audits, quality assurance checks, and self-evaluation to maintain and improve standards across the department
• Ensure all Health and Safety requirements are met in lessons, outdoor activities, and preparation areas

This role is ideal for an ambitious, creative, and dynamic leader with a passion for PE, outdoor education, and student wellbeing, who can inspire a team and make a lasting impact on young people's learning and personal development.

About You

We're looking for someone who is:

• Qualified: UK QTS and a relevant honours degree
• Experienced: Strong understanding of SEMH needs, with experience supporting pupils who may also present with ASC, learning difficulties, and complex needs
• Compassionate & Resilient: Able to build trusting relationships with pupils who may have faced significant challenges
• Knowledgeable: Comfortable teaching all three areas of PE and ODE
• Creative & Flexible: You'll need to adapt and innovate to meet individual needs

About Us

The Greater Horseshoe School is an independent special school near Newton Abbot in Devon, providing education for young people with complex needs. Set in a peaceful woodland environment and supported by a nearby care farm, we combine academic and vocational programmes with outdoor learning and therapeutic approaches tailored to each pupil's individual strengths and needs. Our experienced staff work closely with every young person to remove barriers to learning, foster personal and social development, and create a caring, inclusive environment that enables pupils to achieve positive outcomes and build the skills, confidence, and resilience needed for their future.

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.

Benefits include:

• Life Assurance & Pension scheme
• Mental health support, physical health checks, and wellbeing services
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista) to choose perks that suit you
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Purchase Schemes
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced parental leave and fertility treatment support
• 4-Day Working Week: Work 80% of your hours, get 100% pay

Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.

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.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff - so there's never been a more exciting time to join us !

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.