Head Teacher

Mountjoy School, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3HB

15 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 January 2027

• Closing date

  4 June 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  20 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: £91,158- £105,595 - Leadership Range 24-30, subject to negotiation for the right candidate

What skills and experience we're looking for

Skills and Qualifications: - Substantial experience in a SEND or specialist school setting - Proven ability to lead and inspire teaching staff - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - Strong organisational and decision-making abilities - Ability to manage budgets effectively - Experience in developing policies that promote student welfare and academic success - Commitment to continuous professional development

-A clear understanding of Ofsted frameworks and Safeguarding

Values and Attitudes: - A passion for creating an inclusive educational environment where every student can thrive - Integrity, fairness, and transparency in all dealings with staff, students, parents, and stakeholders - A collaborative approach that values teamwork among staff members and includes managing multidisciplinary teams - Resilience under pressure combined with a positive outlook on challenges - Dedication to fostering respect, kindness, responsibility, and ambition within the school community If you are ready to take on this rewarding leadership opportunity at Mountjoy School where your expertise will make a real difference in shaping young lives please apply now.

What the school offers its staff

Mountjoy is a vibrant, well-established special school, committed to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students. We have undergone an unprecedented period of growth in the last 5 years, partly due to the enormous demand for special school places in Dorset and the popularity of Mountjoy with parents and carers. We are located in rural West Dorset and have a wide catchment from Dorset, and Somerset and Devon.

We are currently looking for an exceptional headteacher to lead this nurturing, inclusive and ambitious school; someone who is ready to live by our values of PASSION, RESPECT, OPTIMISM, UNDERSTANDING and DETERMINATION.

The school is rated Good by Ofsted and has gained a number of prestigious awards Mountjoy school has currently 110 pupils on roll aged 2 ½ to 19 with a range of learning differences.

Position: Headteacher Location: Beaminster, Dorset, UK Minimum Special School Leadership Experience: 2 years Job Description: As Headteacher at Mountjoy School, you will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and development of the school. You will work closely with staff, students, parents, and governors to ensure high standards of education and wellbeing across the school. This role requires strong leadership skills without adherence to any specific curriculum framework. We are looking for a resilient leader with strong SEN experience, compassion and strategic leadership capabilities to drive inclusion, safety, and high-quality educational outcomes.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Mountjoy School

• School type: Special schools, Does not apply, ages 4 to 19
• School size: 112 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Mountjoy School website
• Email address: v.reed@mountjoy.dorset.sch.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/mountjoy-school

Mountjoy School caters for pupils aged 2-19 years who may have severe, complex, profound and multiple learning difficulties or autism.

Arranging a visit to Mountjoy School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email v.reed@mountjoy.dorset.sch.uk.

School location

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