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- Tasks: Lead a specialist SEMH school, inspiring staff and pupils to achieve outstanding outcomes.
- Company: Dibden Park School, part of Outcomes First Group, dedicated to inclusive education.
- Benefits: Up to £85,000 salary, 4-day working week, life assurance, and flexible benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Experienced Headteacher or Deputy Head with SEN leadership experience and QTS/QTLS.
- Other info: Join a certified 'Great Place to Work' and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 85000 £ per year.
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Location: Dibden Park School, Southampton SO45 5TD
Salary: Up to £85,000.00 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: February/March 2026
We’re looking for an inspiring and experienced Headteacher to lead Dibden Park School, a specialist SEMH school, and drive outstanding outcomes for our pupils. This is a unique opportunity to build on a strong foundation, shaping the future of the school while ensuring every pupil receives the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
About the Role
As Headteacher, you will provide visionary leadership, creating a culture where pupils thrive and staff feel inspired, motivated, and supported. You will oversee the overall performance, development, and success of the school, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory frameworks and delivering personalised education tailored to meet each pupil’s unique needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the school to deliver exceptional outcomes tailored to individual pupil needs
- Create and sustain a safe, nurturing, and ambitious environment for pupils and staff
- Inspire, recruit, and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary team
- Ensure full compliance with safeguarding, statutory, and regulatory requirements
- Drive operational planning, strategic growth, and effective resource management
- Line manage all staff, fostering accountability, collaboration, and high standards
- Champion personalised learning, wellbeing, and inclusion across the school
About You
- Experienced Headteacher or Deputy Head within SEN, SEMH, specialist, or alternative provision
- Skilled in budget, resource, and change management
- Knowledgeable in Ofsted frameworks for specialist settings
- Committed to inclusive education and aspirational outcomes for every pupil
- Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS/QTLS) with significant SEN leadership experience
- Full UK Driving Licence
About Us
Dibden Park School is an independent specialist school in Southampton, providing inclusive education within a safe, nurturing environment. We support pupils aged 8–16 with complex needs, including social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) challenges, communication and interaction difficulties, and associated behaviours.
Our mission is to help every child achieve the best possible outcomes. We provide a personalised, engaging, and balanced curriculum, covering formal lessons and broader learning experiences throughout the school day. Every pupil receives individualised support to develop academically, socially, and emotionally, ensuring they are ready to move on positively in their education.
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. 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.
Life Assurance
Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
"Your Wellbeing Matters" – mental health support and physical health checks
Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
- Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
*Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. 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.
Headteacher in Southampton employer: Acorn Care and Education
Contact Detail:
Acorn Care and Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Headteacher in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in education, attend local events, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school and its values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission. We want to see your passion for inclusive education and how you can lead a team effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence. Focus on articulating your vision for the school and how you plan to support both pupils and staff.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Dibden Park School.
We think you need these skills to ace Headteacher in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Headteacher role. Highlight your experience in leading SEMH schools and how you can inspire both pupils and staff.
Showcase Your Vision: In your written application, share your vision for the school and how you plan to create a nurturing environment. We want to see how you can drive exceptional outcomes tailored to individual pupil needs.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to convey your qualifications and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Dibden Park School.
How to prepare for a job interview at Acorn Care and Education
✨Know Your Vision
As a Headteacher, you’ll need to articulate your vision for the school clearly. Think about how you can create a nurturing environment and drive exceptional outcomes for pupils. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led teams or initiatives in the past.
✨Understand SEMH Needs
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. Be ready to discuss tailored strategies you've implemented in previous roles that have positively impacted student wellbeing and learning.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and managing resources effectively. Prepare to discuss how you’ve inspired and developed staff in previous positions, as well as how you plan to foster a culture of accountability and collaboration at Dibden Park School.
✨Be Ready for Compliance Questions
Since compliance is crucial in this role, brush up on Ofsted frameworks and safeguarding regulations. Be prepared to answer questions about how you ensure compliance and maintain high standards in a specialist setting, demonstrating your commitment to inclusive education.