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Head of School
Orchard Infant School, Southampton, Hampshire, SO45 4SB17 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2025
Closing date
26 March 2025 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
27 February 2025
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 1
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Between £60,644 and £66,919
Pay scale
- L9 to L13
What skills and experience we're looking for
The Head of School will:
Inspire staff to constantly strive for school improvement and to achieve the best results for every pupil.
Uphold public trust in school leadership and maintain high standards of ethics, behaviour and professional conduct.
Build positive and respectful relationships across the whole school community. Serve in the best interests of the school’s pupils and those in the wider Multi Academy Trust.
Embrace a research led approach to improving the quality of education for children.
What the school offers its staff
We are an Ofsted rated Outstanding three form entry Infant School with 266 children, located in the heart of Dibden Purlieu, on the edge of the stunning New Forest. Our unique location provides incredible opportunities for outdoor learning, and we regularly explore our local community, using both the forest and nearby Calshot Beach as dynamic learning environments.
At our school, we are committed to preparing children for the future, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed for jobs that may not yet exist. Our values of Community, Opportunity, Responsibility, and Excellence shape everything we do, ensuring that each child experiences a nurturing and inspiring learning journey. Our Inspirational Curriculum We take immense pride in our highly engaging Orchard Infant School curriculum, designed to celebrate every child's talents and strengths. Our curriculum is underpinned by the essential learning values of Independence, Interdependence, Creativity, Spirituality, and Thinking.
We believe in: Keeping learning fresh – Our projects are continuously evaluated and refined to maintain excitement and curiosity. Encouraging deep learning – We ensure children develop strong knowledge, skills, and understanding across all subjects. Building resilience – Over their three years with us, children develop essential life skills that empower them to embrace challenges with confidence. Community, Opportunity, Responsibility, Excellence Soon to be part of Creativity – A curriculum that develops creative thinking skills.
Our school is more than just a place of learning; it is a family. Every member of staff is deeply passionate about education and understands the importance of health and wellbeing in achieving excellence. We believe that when children feel valued, safe, and appreciated, they flourish. We are truly fortunate to have an incredibly supportive community, including:
A committed and highly skilled team of Governors who both challenge and support the daily work of the school.
A phenomenal OISA (Orchard Infant School Association), which organises a wide variety of very successful fundraisers throughout the year.
Dedicated parents who actively engage in their children's learning journey. Excellence in Achievement and Enrichment Our children are polite, well-mannered, and consistently achieve well above the national average in reading, writing, and maths.
We also invest in: High-quality PE provision, including opportunities to play competitive sports. Peripatetic music tuition to enrich children’s musical experiences. A broad range of extracurricular activities, both during and after school, to ignite curiosity and passion. Exciting school trips and visitors, making learning memorable and engaging. Enhanced curriculum with Forest School and French language and culture lessons.
As a research-driven school, we continuously seek innovative ways to enhance learning and teaching. Our approach ensures that all children are inspired, challenged, and supported to reach their full potential. At the heart of our school is a belief in happiness and wellbeing as the key to success. Our children’s joy in learning and their ability to grow into confident, resilient individuals is what makes our school so special. We are proud of our community and the incredible learning experiences we provide – ensuring that every child leaves us with a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Further details about the role
Visits to the school are warmly welcomed. We have reserved the following dates and times for visits:
Monday 10thMarch – 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Thursday 13thMarch – 4pm – 5pm
Tuesday 18thMarch – 9.30am – 11.30am
Please contact the school office by email to arrange your visit. adminoffice@orchard-inf.hants.sch.uk
Commitment to safeguarding
Orchard Infant School and Hampshire County Council 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 Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Applying for the job
Please download the application form using the link below, and once completed send to HR@uwinat.co.uk
CVs are not accepted.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Orchard Infant School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 4 to 7
- Education phase
- Primary
- School size
- 262 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 7
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Orchard Infant School website
- Email address
- adminoffice@orchard-inf.hants.sch.uk
Orchard Infant School is a three-form entry popular school on the edge of the New Forest near Southampton. We are very proud of our outstanding provision and creative curriculum that enthuses children and inspires their learning.
Arranging a visit to Orchard Infant School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email adminoffice@orchard-inf.hants.sch.uk.
School location
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