KS3 Phase Lead Teacher - The Harbour School
The Harbour School, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 8RA9 days remaining to apply
Start date details
Summer Term - April 2027
Closing date
20 November 2026 at 8am
Date listed
11 November 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of year or phase
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3
Working pattern
- Full time: 32.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday, Term time only
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Leadership Scale (£57,699 - £62,251)
What skills and experience we're looking for
We're looking for an exceptional Key Stage 3 Phase Leader who can provide strong, compassionate leadership for our KS3 provision. Someone who can create a culture where pupils feel safe, understood and ready to learn, while supporting staff to deliver the very best outcomes for every young person. You'll understand that meaningful progress is built through positive relationships, consistent expectations and a relentless belief in every pupil's potential.
Because here, your impact goes far beyond the classroom. You'll help shape the educational experience, wellbeing and future opportunities of young people, ensuring they receive the support, guidance and encouragement they need to thrive.
You'll be:
Leading the day-to-day running and ongoing development of the KS3 phase, ensuring a high-quality provision for all pupils.
Championing pupils' pastoral welfare, helping them feel safe, supported and able to engage positively with learning.
Leading behaviour and relational practice across the phase, supporting pupils to develop the skills they need to succeed in education and beyond.
Working closely with families, carers, safeguarding leads and external agencies to provide coordinated support for pupils.
Monitoring attendance, progress, behaviour and wellbeing, using this information to identify needs and remove barriers to success.
Leading transition, induction and review processes, ensuring every pupil receives the right support at the right time.
Line managing and supporting staff within the phase, creating a positive culture of accountability, development and reflective practice.
Contributing to whole-school improvement as part of the middle leadership team, helping to shape the future direction of the school.
We're looking for someone who:
Has experience working with young people with SEMH needs, within alternative provision or similar specialist educational settings.
Is a confident and compassionate leader who can inspire colleagues and build a positive team culture.
Understands the challenges faced by vulnerable young people and is committed to helping them overcome barriers to learning and achievement.
Builds strong, trusting relationships with pupils, families, colleagues and external professionals.
Has excellent organisational skills and can confidently manage competing priorities, data and reporting requirements.
Believes in inclusion, high expectations and the power of education to transform lives.
Brings resilience, empathy and optimism to their work, helping young people recognise their strengths and achieve their potential.
What the school offers its staff
The Harbour School is a multi-site organisation, with campuses at Bay Campus (including Primary at The Bay), The Bridge Campus, The Lighthouse Campus, and the Vista Campus (including The Horizon Service), all based within the city of Portsmouth. We also have an Outreach Support Team and a Hospital tuition service at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.
What we can offer
A skilled, compassionate, genuinely supportive team who reflect together, and understand the emotional weight of the work.
Strong induction and ongoing training
A school that celebrates progress, not just academic data
A role where the impact is real, human and lasting
Free access to the Employee Assistance Programme and our Cycle to Work Scheme.
The opportunity to develop your career in a School, and within the Southern Education Trust - a growing Trust where our mission is “making lives better” and our values are kindness, collaboration and creativity.
Further information about the job
Do you want to be the leader who helps young people feel safe, succeed in education and believe in their future?
At The Harbour School, we know that every young person's journey is different. For some, success means improving attendance, managing their emotions or rebuilding trust in education. For others, it's developing positive relationships, making academic progress or successfully moving on to their next destination. Every step forward matters, and every achievement is worth celebrating.
Join us at The Harbour School and become part of a team that changes futures every day. Here, your leadership can be the difference that helps a young person re-engage with education, build confidence and believe in their potential. By creating a safe, supportive and aspirational environment for pupils and staff alike, you'll help shape the experiences, opportunities and outcomes that enable young people to take their next step forward with confidence.
Closing date: 20th November 2026
Interview date: 4th December 2026
Please note: Applications may be viewed on receipt and interviews arranged sooner than the above date.
Become part of our journey by completing our Application Form and returning it to recruitment@southern.education if you would like to apply (please see Job Description, and Safeguarding Children Policy for further information).
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kate at the recruitment address, who will be happy to assist you.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, this role involves directly working with children and significant contact with children, and therefore we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for this post prior to commencement. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.
If successfully shortlisted the HR Department will also be conducting an individual online search of your ‘name, education and employment’, to demonstrate due diligence following ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education' guidance. The search will not form part of the actual shortlisting process and any concerns arising from the search will be discussed directly with you.
Commitment to safeguarding
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) check is required for this post prior to commencement. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About The Harbour School
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 5 to 19
- Size
- 169 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 5 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Website
- The Harbour School website
- Email address
- recruitment@southern.education
The Harbour School is a special school for learners with Social, Emotional and/or Mental Health (SEMH) Needs and/or Medical Needs. The school operates from multiple sites situated across Portsmouth with provision extending beyond these physical locations.
As a trust, our ethos is encompassed in our vision “Learning together in pursuit of happiness”.
School location
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