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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic school, inspiring staff and pupils to achieve excellence.
- Company: Outcomes First Group, a leading provider of world-class education.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, competitive salary, and exceptional wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on young lives while enjoying a great work/life balance.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in education and a relevant teaching qualification.
- Other info: Join a certified Great Place to Work with outstanding career opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 95000 £ per year.
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Position: Headteacher
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
We are looking for an ambitious, values-driven leader who brings both heart and expertise:
- 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
Join us at Dibden Park School and help shape the future of a thriving SEMH school, where staff are supported, pupils flourish, and every day is focused on achieving meaningful outcomes.
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.
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Headteacher employer: Outcomes First Group
Contact Detail:
Outcomes First Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Headteacher
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections 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’s ethos and values. Tailor your responses to show how your vision aligns with theirs. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly understands their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Headteacher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for education and leadership shine through. We want to see how you can inspire and empower others, so share your vision and experiences that align with our mission.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Headteacher role. Highlight your relevant experience and how it connects to the values and goals of Outcomes First Group.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details and can consider you for this exciting opportunity to join #teamOFG.
How to prepare for a job interview at Outcomes First Group
✨Know Your Vision
As a Headteacher, it's crucial to articulate your vision for the school. Prepare to discuss how you would inspire both staff and pupils to achieve beyond expectations. Think about specific strategies you've used in the past to cultivate a culture of aspiration and resilience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to share examples of your leadership experience, especially in complex educational settings. Highlight how you've supported staff development and fostered collaboration. This will demonstrate your ability to guide a passionate team towards excellence.
✨Understand Ofsted and Improvement Processes
Brush up on your knowledge of Ofsted inspections and school improvement processes. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated these in previous roles and how you plan to ensure operational excellence and compliance at all levels in your new position.
✨Emphasise Wellbeing and Support
Given the focus on wellbeing at Outcomes First Group, be sure to express your commitment to creating an environment where every pupil can flourish. Share your ideas on how you would implement personalised support and strong pastoral care to help students reach their full potential.
