Headteacher Mountjoy School

Dorset Council; Beaminster; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Mountjoy School in Beaminster, West Dorset, seeks an inspiring Headteacher to lead a diverse special school of up to 110 pupils aged 4 to 19.

The successful candidate will shape strategy, work with families, staff and governors, and drive inclusion, safeguarding and high educational standards.

Located near the Jurassic Coast with state-of-the-art facilities, the role offers an opportunity to make a lasting difference from January 2027.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in a SEND or specialist school setting.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire teaching staff.
• Strong Ofsted knowledge and safeguarding practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall leadership, management and school development.
• Work with staff, students, parents and governors to ensure high standards.
• Drive inclusion, safeguarding and safe, high-quality educational outcomes.

Skills

SEND leadership

Visionary leadership

Staff inspiration

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Headship qualification

Job description

About the role

Following the announced retirement of our current inspirational Headteacher, the Governing Body of Mountjoy School in Beaminster, close to the beautiful Jurassic Coast in West Dorset, will shortly be advertising for an inspiring, visionary, and compassionate new leader to take up the post from 1st January 2027.

Supported by a dedicated staff team, a skilled and supportive governing body, excellent community links, local partnerships and strong relationships with families, our school offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced leader to build on strong foundations and guide us into the next stage of our journey.

Guided by our ethos of “making a difference today for tomorrow,” we are proud to be Mountjoy School, where we have created a nurturing, ambitious, and inclusive environment where every learner can thrive. As a close-knit community special school catering for up to 110 pupils aged 4 to 19, we support a range of complex learning needs, including Severe and Complex Learning Difficulties (SLD/PMLD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Operating from our state-of-the-art facilities—including a sensory studio, media hub, and hydrotherapy pool—and rated ’Good’ in all areas by Ofsted, this Group 6 position offers an exceptional opportunity for an experienced leader to build on our strong foundations of lived inclusion.

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. With an exciting ’new build’ on the horizon, this is a rare chance to really make a difference and drive long-term strategic success.

What we are looking for:

• A visionary leader with a proven track record of inspiring staff, pupils, and families within a specialist SEND environment (Minimum Special School Leadership Experience: 2 years).
• An individual who champions absolute inclusion, child-centred education, and high developmental and academic standards.
• A leader deeply committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children with complex needs.

Further Information

We welcome and encourage visits to the school. These have been arranged for Tuesday 8th September 10-11.30amd and Thursday 10th September 1.00 to 2.30pm.

Other important dates:

Application closing date: 14th September 2026 (11.59pm)

Shortlisting date: 15th September 2026

Interview dates Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd September 2026

Mountjoy school values the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; this is a commitment which we expect all staff and volunteers to share. The successful candidate will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with the Governments safer recruitment guidelines.

This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (2013 and 2020)) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

Keeping Children Safe in Education

Our school will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. All aspects of social media and internet searches will be conducted. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

About Us

What we offer you:

• A forward-thinking leadership team
• Purpose-built, state-of-the-art campus in Beaminster (just over 6 miles from Bridport) and the Jurassic Coast
• A Governing Body, deeply committed to your success and well-being
• Space to innovate on the new farm-school development

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.

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
• A clear understanding of Ofsted frameworks and Safeguarding
• Ability to manage budgets effectively
• Experience in developing policies that promote student welfare and academic success Commitment to continuous professional development

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

N.B. The governors are open to exploring alternative headship models.