Key Role Information

Salary
£83,478.00 - 92,065.00
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
04/12/2026 16:00
Interview
16 December 2026
Contract term
TTO - Term time only
Pay grade
Leadership Group | L19 - L23
Department
Senior Leadership Team
Key stage
Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5
Hours per week
32.50
Weeks per year
52.000
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Solent Academies Trust is looking for an exceptional leader to become the Head of School at Dove House Academy, a large and highly regarded secondary special school dedicated to transforming the lives of children with learning disabilities and associated conditions such as autism and speech, language and communication needs.

This is a rare opportunity to be a key member of the leadership team of a multi-site school that is part of a highly successful Trust on to its next stage of development by shaping its vision, culture, and provision to deliver exceptional specialist education and to contribute to Trust-wide strategic developments.

At Solent Academies Trust, we are proud to be a community built on connection, respect, and belonging. 

Our Relational Culture Charter guides us to work together and support each other through: 

  1. Valuing Difference 
  2. Effective Communication 
  3. High Challenge & High Support to Empower 
  4. Respect for All 
  5. Solution-Focused Approaches 

We believe that when relationships thrive, people thrive – and so do the children and young people we serve.

About Dove House Academy

Part of Solent Academies Trust since 2023, Dove House Academy:

  1. Educates nearly 250 children
  2. Operates over two sites, with a Sixth Form co-located with a mainstream secondary school
  3. Is rated Outstanding by Ofsted (February 2025)

Who we’re looking for

The Head of School will work closely with the Executive Principal, so we are looking for an experienced leader who is an exceptional practitioner with a proven track record of securing excellent outcomes for pupils who is looking to take their next step in strategic leadership. You will be a confident communicator who is able to motivate and develop teams. You will strike the very careful balance between offering highly effective support and development to those that you lead, alongside providing rigorous challenge and accountability. You will have a confident understanding of safeguarding and of strategies to support the behaviour and attendance of pupils with complex needs including autism.     

How to Apply

Contact James Hall at Hays for an informal conversation about the role on james.hall@hays.com.  


All applicants will be advised if they have been shortlisted on Thursday 10th December.

Qualifications

Qualified Teacher Statusessential
Evidence of recent training and experience in whole school leadership and management. essential
Hold a leadership qualificationdesirable
NPQEL, NPQH, MA

Skills

CPD / Training

Show a proven commitment to effective continuing staff developmentessential

Experience

A knowledge of the National Curriculum and other statutory requirementsessential
Understanding of educational, social and emotional development of pupils with SEND, particularly autism and complex learning difficultiesessential

Leadership

Experience as a Headteacher / Principal or Head of Schoolessential
Track record of successful leadership of significant school improvement strategies leading to excellent outcomes for pupils.essential
Experience of working positvely with governors
Experience of preparing a team for a successful Ofsted Inspection

Personal Attributes

Patience, understanding, caring, resilience and sense of humour

Qualifications

SEN qualification (eg NASENCO award of PGCert in SEN)

Dove House Academy

James Hall

james.hall@hayes.com

Sutton Road
Basingstoke
Hampshire
South East England
RG21 5SU

Safeguarding Information

Solent Academies Trust welcome applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or religion. Only applications submitted on the academy’s application form will be accepted Solent Academies are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect 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 an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.