Head of School - Dove House Academy

Head of School

Location: Dove House Academy, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 5SU

Full-time, permanent (start date to be negotiated with successful candidate)

Salary: Leadership Scale L19-L23

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:

• Valuing Difference
• Effective Communication
• High Challenge & High Support to Empower
• Respect for All
• 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:

• Educates nearly 250 children
• Operates over two sites, with a Sixth Form co-located with a mainstream secondary school
• 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 [email protected].

Please visit our jobs board by clicking the link below to complete the application form and to upload an accompanying covering letter: DHA SAM Recruit

Closing time and date for applications is 4pm, Wednesday 9th December 2026.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 16th December 2026. All applicants will be advised if they have been shortlisted on Thursday 10th December.

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 Trust 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 pre-employment checks.