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Job title: English Teacher with Middle Leadership Responsibilities
Location: Dibden Park School, Southampton SO45 5TD
Salary: £45,000 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8:30am – 4:30pm
Contract: Fixed Term for 12 months | Term Time Only
Start: October 2026
UK applicants only; no sponsorship available
About the Role
Are you an ambitious and passionate teacher ready to take the next step in your career?
Do you want the opportunity to combine outstanding classroom practice with meaningful leadership responsibilities, helping shape the future of a specialist school while making a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people?
At Dibden Park School, we're looking for an exceptional Teacher (Middle Leadership Responsibility) to join our dedicated team on a maternity cover basis. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced teacher who is ready to develop their leadership skills while continuing to inspire pupils every day in the classroom.
Working alongside our Senior Leadership Team, you'll play a key role in driving high-quality teaching and learning, supporting curriculum development and contributing to whole-school improvement. You'll have the opportunity to lead an agreed curriculum area or whole-school initiative while helping colleagues deliver outstanding outcomes for pupils with Special Educational Needs.
This is more than a teaching role—it's an opportunity to influence practice, inspire colleagues and help build an environment where every pupil feels safe, valued and able to achieve their full potential.
What You'll Be Doing
- Deliver engaging, creative and differentiated lessons that enable every pupil to achieve their individual potential.
- Inspire a love of learning through innovative teaching that supports academic, social and emotional development.
- Lead an agreed curriculum area or whole-school responsibility, driving improvements in teaching, learning and outcomes.
- Monitor, assess and celebrate pupil progress, adapting teaching to meet individual needs.
- Contribute to curriculum development, school improvement priorities and strategic planning.
- Support and share best practice with colleagues, helping to raise standards across the school.
- Develop and review Individual Education Plans (IEPs), behaviour plans and personalised learning programmes.
- Create stimulating learning environments that promote independence, confidence and engagement.
- Work collaboratively with Learning Support Assistants and the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver exceptional learning experiences.
- Build positive partnerships with families, carers and external professionals to ensure joined-up support for every pupil.
- Promote positive behaviour and emotional wellbeing through nurturing, consistent approaches.
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people.
Middle Leadership Responsibilities
As part of this role, you'll also:
- Lead and champion an agreed curriculum area or whole-school development priority.
- Support colleagues through coaching, collaboration and sharing effective classroom practice.
- Monitor standards of teaching, learning and assessment within your area of responsibility.
- Contribute to self-evaluation, school improvement planning and quality assurance activities.
- Help embed innovative teaching approaches that improve pupil engagement and outcomes.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, inclusion and high expectations across the school.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who:
- Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or an equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
- Has a proven track record of delivering outstanding teaching and improving pupil outcomes.
- Has experience working with pupils with Special Educational Needs, Autism and/or additional learning needs (desirable).
- Is ready to take on, or further develop, middle leadership responsibilities.
- Can inspire, motivate and support both pupils and colleagues.
- Is an excellent communicator with strong organisational and leadership skills.
- Is resilient, adaptable and committed to achieving the very best outcomes for every pupil.
- Is passionate about inclusive education and creating opportunities for every young person to succeed.
- Is committed to continuous professional development and whole-school improvement.
- Holder of a full UK driving licence
About Us
Dibden Park School is a brand-new independent specialist school in Southampton, supporting pupils with SEMH needs, communication difficulties, and associated complex behaviours. The school provides a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where small classes and personalised support help every pupil thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our broad and purposeful curriculum combines formal learning with life skills and enrichment activities to develop confidence, independence, and resilience. Pupils benefit from staff who understand their individual needs and remove barriers to engagement. Working closely with families, the school fosters strong relationships and a supportive community. Dibden Park empowers every pupil to achieve their full potential and prepare for life beyond school.
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
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. 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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