Assistant Headteacher

Oxfordshire Hospital School, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 6SB

20 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  16 March 2026 at 3pm

• Date listed

  24 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Assistant headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
• Working pattern: Full time: 32.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: L6 to L10

What skills and experience we're looking for

• An ambitious leader who is committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable pupils and has a proven track record working with pupils with mental health needs

• A leader who has deep knowledge of SEND and can demonstrate excellent skills working with young people and families in challenging circumstances

• A leader with knowledge of a variety of educational pathways at KS4 and KS5 and the ability to guide young people toward the best possible route progression

• A highly resilient and inspirational professional with the skills and personality to take this outstanding school further on its journey.

• A leader who can build positive relationships with the whole school community and wider stakeholders.

• A leader who is able to demonstrate the vision and values of the school in their everyday work and practice.

• A leader committed to exciting and innovative approaches in all aspects of the school’s work.

• A leader with excellent communication skills, who will have an open and supportive approach to inspire, support and develop a staff team.

• A leader who is committed to the principles of ethical school leadership.

What the school offers its staff

• The opportunity to work with children and young people across all phases of education who are unique and inspiring individuals with specific health needs;

• A highly committed and skilled team of staff;

• Outstanding teaching in an exciting and challenging learning environment;

• Continued support for personal and professional development;

• Passionate and highly committed Board of Governors, staff and parents.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen at the OHS for the right person to join our ambitious Leadership Team. The successful candidate will provide day to day leadership for a small team of highly motivated teachers and HLTAs in our settings based at the Highfield Adolescent Unit and the Meadow Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit and will contribute to the leadership of the whole school through the Leadership Team’s strategic work.

Oxfordshire Hospital School (OHS) is an Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) maintained Hospital School based across a number of settings throughout the county of Oxfordshire. The school serves children and young people aged 5-18 who are unable to attend their enrolled school due to a wide range of medical and mental health needs.

Full details are on our website at www.ohs.oxon.sch.uk/about-us/vacancies/

We would encourage and warmly welcome enquiries. Please contact Tom Hilton, Headteacher on tom.hilton@ohs.oxon.sch.uk or tel 01865 957480 should you want to discuss the post further. The job description, person spec and application form are available on our website.

We have two visiting times for interested applicants: Wednesday 11th March 6-7pm and Saturday 14th March 10-11am. Please complete this form to register your attendance.

Please submit a supporting letter of no more than 500 words. The criteria against which you will be assessed are set out in the Person Specification. You should provide evidence that you possess the skills, competences, attributes and experiences required, preferably by giving specific examples.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people and promoting equality of opportunity.

Commitment to safeguarding

Safer Recruitment - Oxfordshire Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining a post. All cases are considered confidentially and according to the nature of the role and information disclosed.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

AHT Recruitment Pack - Highfield _ Meadow.pdf - 4.3 MB (opens in new tab)

AHT Person Specification.pdf - 85.7 KB (opens in new tab)

JD - AHT Highfield _ Meadow.pdf - 122 KB (opens in new tab)

AHT Advert - Highfield _ Meadow.pdf - 72.8 KB (opens in new tab)

About Oxfordshire Hospital School

• School type: Special school, ages 5 to 18
• School size: 0 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 5 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Oxfordshire Hospital School website
• Email address: eva.marino@ohs.oxon.sch.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/oxfordshire-hospital-school

As a Hospital School (we are officially designated by DfE as a Special School) our priority is to support every pupil and their family by providing excellent, personalised education during their time with us, and subsequently helping to ensure their successful return to their mainstream or enrolled school when they are well enough. The OHS is a local authority maintained school with staff employed by the OCC under the usual pay and conditions arrangements for schools.
OHS is commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council to meet its duties as set out in Section 19 of the Education Act 1996.
We were recognised as an Outstanding school in July 2017 and more recently in June 2023; we work hard to sustain and improve on this achievement. Our leaders, teachers and support staff aspire for excellence in everything they do and are open and committed to exploring new and innovative ways of delivering our outstanding provision.

Arranging a visit to Oxfordshire Hospital School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email eva.marino@ohs.oxon.sch.uk.

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