Headteacher

Job Introduction

At Haven Nursery School, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive personally, socially, emotionally, and academically. We are a maintained nursery school at the heart of the Gosport community, where children, families, and staff are welcomed into a nurturing environment that feels like a home from home. Our ethos is simple yet powerful: education is for all.

We are now seeking our next inspiring, values-led Headteacher to lead our dedicated and highly skilled team into the next chapter of Haven’s journey. 

• A joyful, play-rich curriculum where children are valued as unique, inquisitive, kind, adventurous, and empowered learners.
• A setting where inclusion is not an add-on, but at the heart of our practice.
• Provision designed around early brain development and the critical first five years of life.
• A strong focus on sensory processing, communication, regulation, and play, woven seamlessly into daily practice.
• A community where families are empowered and supported, with a dedicated Family Support Worker, in-house SEND Lead, and Speech and Language Therapist.
• A proud maintained nursery school with a reputation for reflective, research-informed practice and strong partnerships with professionals across education, health, and social care.

About You

We are looking for a leader who:

• Is passionate about early years and understands the profound importance of the first five years of life.
• Is passionate and experienced in leading SEND provision and working with wider professionals
• Shares our belief that education is for all and that inclusion must be lived, not labelled.
• Has a proven track record of outstanding leadership in early years or primary education.
• Is strategic, reflective, and able to drive continuous improvement while maintaining the warmth and family feel that defines Haven.
• Values play as the heartbeat of learning and can champion our pedagogy across the school and beyond.
• Can work in genuine partnership with families, staff, governors, and external agencies to secure the very best outcomes for children.
• Has strong financial and organisational acumen to ensure sustainability while nurturing excellence.

What We Offer

• A warm, collaborative, and dedicated team of practitioners, governors, and families.
• A school with a strong reputation for inclusive, high-quality early years education.
• Opportunities to shape and grow the future of a maintained nursery school that is highly respected locally and beyond.
• A culture of professional curiosity, reflective practice, and shared expertise.
• A joyful, purposeful environment where children’s play and wellbeing are at the centre of everything we do

Application Procedure

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed. Please contact our admin office: 01329 232095 admin.office@haven.hants.sch.uk.

Please find attached the Headteacher information pack and application form. 

Applications will need to be returned to electronically to htrecruitment@hants.gov.uk 

When submitting your application, please use the following format as the email subject heading: School Name – Position – Your Name. 

Applications are acknowledged within 2 working days of receipt.  If you do not receive an acknowledgement within this time, please contact the recruitment team immediately at htrecruitment@hants.gov.uk 

Safer Recruitment

Haven Nursery School and Hampshire County Council 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 Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.