Behaviour and Culture Lead in Southampton

37 hours per week, Monday to Thursday 8.00am to 4.00pm and Friday 8.15am to 3.45pm, term time only (38 weeks). Grade D Step 1 - Actual Annual Salary of £23,291.62 (which is the equivalent of a full‑time salary of £27,779). As part of our commitment to staff wellbeing, RAISE Education Trust is trialling a two‑week half‑term break 19th to 30th October 2026. Following this trial, should the Trust revert to a one‑week October half‑term break from 2027, the contractual working weeks would increase to 39 weeks and the salary would increase accordingly.

Deer Park School is a new state‑of‑the‑art seven‑form secondary school which opened in September 2021. At present there are just under 1,000 students on roll across Years 7‑11. We are part of the RAISE Education Trust, which also encompasses Wildern Secondary School and Boorley Park Primary School. We will have a PAN of 1,050 when full.

We are seeking an inspirational and highly motivated Behaviour and Culture Lead to maintain and drive forward a positive behaviour culture across the school, both inside and outside of the classroom. This is a pivotal role designed to provide targeted and bespoke support for students who are at risk of exclusion, struggling to thrive in the mainstream curriculum, or who require a more flexible educational environment to re‑engage with their learning. The successful candidate will be responsible for helping to establish and maintain a positive, purposeful, and highly effective learning environment that allows students to develop their academic, social, and emotional skills.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• Proven experience of working effectively with students who present with challenging behaviours, complex needs, or are at risk of exclusion.
• A good understanding of strategies to support students with SEND, SEMH needs, and those facing learning barriers.
• Excellent behaviour management skills and a proven ability to de‑escalate challenging situations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with students, staff, parents and external agencies.
• The ability to contribute to the design of flexible and engaging interventions tailored to individual student needs.
• A proactive, resilient, and highly organised approach to work.
• A commitment to continuous professional development and a willingness to embrace new strategies.
• Thorough knowledge of safeguarding procedures and a commitment to promoting the welfare of children (additional training will be provided).

Desirable, but not essential:

• Experience in leading or coordinating alternative provision, inclusion units, or similar support programmes.
• Further qualifications in SEND, quality first teaching strategies or behaviour management.
• Experience in data analysis and using data to inform interventions.

We Can Offer

• The opportunity to shape and lead a vital provision within our school, making a significant impact on student outcomes.
• A supportive and collaborative leadership team.
• Dedicated resources and space.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• A commitment to staff well‑being.

We Will Ensure That the Successful Candidate Has

• Comprehensive induction including a dedicated mentor.
• Continuous professional learning, development and improvement.
• The opportunity to contribute to raising standards for all our students.

Benefits of Working for Our Trust

• Exceptional team environment where all staff are valued.
• Excellent CPD programmes.
• Many opportunities for career progression.
• RAISE a Hand day: One fully paid day per academic year to support personal events.
• Two‑week October half‑term break.
• Extensive department resources and facilities.
• A tax‑efficient Cycle‑to‑Work scheme through salary sacrifice.
• Staff membership rates to the modern leisure centre at Wildern School.
• Enrolment in one of the UK’s largest public sector pension schemes.

Closing Date: Midday, Friday 5th June 2026. RAISE Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.