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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. xjlbheb 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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