Dorset Council UK
Primary Lead at Dorchester Learning Centre
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The Role
We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and resilient teacher to take on the role of Primary Lead within our expanding Pupil Referral Unit. This is an exciting opportunity for an excellent practitioner who is ready to take on greater leadership responsibility, while remaining actively involved in teaching and working directly with pupils.
As Primary Lead, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and management of our small primary provision (up to 20 pupils) working closely with the senior leadership team to ensure that pupils receive a high-quality, engaging and supportive education. You will lead and support our brilliant primary team, help shape curriculum and teaching practice, and ensure that our provision meets the individual needs of some of our most vulnerable pupils. The role will include a teaching commitment, alongside protected time to carry out leadership responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading the day-to-day organisation and operation of the primary provision.
- Providing leadership, support and guidance to primary teaching and support staff.
- Leading the development and delivery of an ambitious, engaging primary curriculum.
- Promoting consistently high standards of teaching, learning and behaviour.
- Monitoring pupil progress and helping staff adapt provision to meet individual needs.
- Supporting staff to develop effective approaches for pupils with SEMH needs and barriers to learning.
- Working closely with families, schools and other professionals to secure positive outcomes for pupils.
- Contributing to safeguarding and ensuring that the wellbeing of pupils remains at the heart of the provision.
- Teaching within the primary provision and modelling excellent classroom practice.
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About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Is an experienced and highly effective primary teacher with experience of working in EYFS.
- Understands that behaviour is communication and can build strong, trusting relationships with children.
- Has high expectations while recognising the individual needs and circumstances of our pupils.
- Can lead, motivate and support colleagues.
- Is calm, flexible and able to make good decisions in a busy and sometimes challenging environment.
- Has a strong understanding of curriculum, teaching and learning.
- Is committed to safeguarding and improving outcomes for vulnerable children.
- Enjoys being part of a small team where people support one another and everyone makes a difference.
Why Join Us?
Our pupils may have experienced significant challenges in education and in their lives. Relationships matter enormously, and progress is not always measured simply by academic outcomes. This is an opportunity to lead a small primary provision, influence its direction and make a very visible difference to children who need excellent adults around them.
Dorchester Learning Centre provides education for the most vulnerable students in Dorset. We are the only school in Dorset that has the Trauma and Mental Health Informed School accreditation. We are a learning community that is child centred, putting the needs of our students first. We look to appoint dynamic, creative and resilient individuals to our roles within our school. We know from Ofsted and our experience that we get the best out of our students when they have secure and positive relationships with staff and that they are able to learn most effectively when these are in place.
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We passionately believe that happy, highly respected employees make for good teaching and support staff. We therefore take the wellbeing of our staff very seriously and ensure that they all maintain a healthy work-life balance. Successful candidates will be prepared to work hard and respond to the daily challenges of school life but won’t have any unreasonable demands placed upon them.
If you are an experienced teacher who loves working with children but is also ready to take the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you.
The Dorchester Learning Centre has a main teaching base close to Dorchester (Monkton Park). The cohort ranges in age from 5 - 16. Visits to the school are encouraged and recommended. Please contact Debbie Guyler d.guyler@dlc.dorset.sch.uk to make an appointment or telephone 01305 261213.
Interviews will be held 21 October 2026.
If you are interested in applying, please do so as soon as possible as we will shortlist applications upon receiving them, so might bring the closing date forward. Please do not upload a CV. Applications should be made by fully completing the on-line form.
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