Designated Safeguarding Lead – Oak Bridge School in Croydon

A fabulous opportunity to be part of shaping a brand-new school. We’re looking for an experienced and passionate DSL with experience of leading safeguarding in a school, to join us as The Designated Safeguarding Lead of our new Oak Bridge School, opening to students in September 2026. Part of the Spaghetti Bridge Group, Oak Bridge will support students who experience barriers to learning through our unique three-stage curriculum, designed to develop 21st century skills and a lifelong love of learning. Our schools provide creative, relational environments where every child is supported to overcome barriers and achieve meaningful success. This is a rare opportunity to work with us to build something from the ground up—creating a team, shaping a culture, and designing an environment where young people thrive.

About the school: Oak Bridge School is set within the beautiful surroundings of Lloyd Park, just outside of Croydon. This is an extensive campus currently being refurbished in line with our Beautiful Schools philosophy. The design reflects our belief that inspiring, carefully considered environments enable rich, varied learning experiences and wellbeing for all.

About the role: We are looking for a DSL who will take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across the school. As a member of our Senior Leadership Team they will take part in strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings, and contribute to the assessment of children. They will also actively develop a culture of safeguarding and ensure that this is embedded within our unique curriculum. They will advise and support other members of staff on child welfare and child protection matters, and liaise with relevant agencies such as the local authority and police. The working hours of this post are 40 hours per week, term time only, plus two weeks within school holiday period, as required.

Our ethos: We understand the importance of building meaningful relationships with pupils and families to nurture growth and development of relational milestones such as, building trust and sharing enjoyment. Care and making connections are at the heart of our ethos and we work hard to ensure that all staff feel cared for too. We are strongly committed to providing high quality professional development for all our staff. As part of a new and growing group, we will be able to offer significant opportunities to work in collaboration with colleagues in order to develop innovative teaching practice. The well-being of our staff is an important priority; therefore we provide opportunities to ensure we value their hard work and dedication and promote a healthy work-life balance. We are constantly reviewing our practices to ensure that our staff can focus on what matters: providing a rich environment in which children and young adults can learn and thrive. We recognise that our schools all serve their own communities and are unique, but we also insist that our schools follow Spaghetti Bridge ways of working which ensure that there are high expectations and equality of opportunity for all our pupils.

Early application is encouraged, we may seek to appoint prior to the closing date. Please visit our website to find out more about us. If you would like further information or would like to speak to us about the post please contact recruitment@spbridge.co.uk

Spaghetti Bridge Ltd are committed to Safeguarding therefore, all employees working at this school must have the ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and wellbeing of our children and young people. All applicants must be willing to undergo safeguarding checks appropriate to the post, including checks with Disclosure & Barring Service and employment references. We will request references from where you have worked with either children or adults at risk and will undertake an online check. Please be aware that references will be requested prior to interview for roles within our schools and an online check will be completed for all shortlisted candidates, in line with the provisions of Keeping Children Safe in Education. This post involves working with children and young people considered to be at risk and therefore is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Spaghetti Bridge undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a criminal record check on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. As an equal opportunities employer, Spaghetti Bridge is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees. We are a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply.