Vice Principal Luminous Oak Academy

Vice Principal

Location:Boorley Green Hampshire SO32 2FG

Salary:L16 L20

Solent Academies Trust is seeking a highly effective academy leader to join Luminous Oak Academy at the start of its journey. Luminous Oak is a brand-new special free school dedicated to transforming the lives of children with Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

Opening in September 2026 with 40 pupils in Years 5 to 8 Luminous Oak will grow over three years to be a state-of-the-art 125-place academy for pupils in Years 4 to 11 based in the heart of the Boorley Gardens development in Eastleigh. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to build a school from the ground up shaping its vision culture and provision to deliver exceptional specialist education.

Named by pupils within our Trust Luminous Oak represents strength growth and resilience reflecting our commitment to empowering children and young people to thrive.

The schools cutting-edge facilities will include:

• 15 classrooms and specialist practical learning spaces
• Therapy and intervention areas tailored to SEMH support
• A fitness suite to promote well-being and self-regulation
• Extensive outdoor spaces including sensory courtyard and a multi-use games area

We are seeking an experienced and compassionate leader with a proven record of leading curriculum teaching assessment and pupil achievement. You will build a learning culture where pupils are held to the highest expectations ensuring every pupil leaves Luminous Oak with strong foundations. Championing our Trust Relational Culture Charter you will develop staff capacity confidence and wellbeing. As Vice Principal you will deputise for the Principal in their absence.

We will provide high quality coaching support and professional development. You will have the opportunity to be innovative creative and have fun whilst making a real difference to the lives of our pupils who face significant challenges in their learning and development.

For an informal discussion about the role the academy and the Trust please contact Louisa Paston Principal on

Please complete a Solent Academies Trust teaching application form accompanied by a letter of your letter please describe the contribution you feel you can make in shaping the future of Luminous Oak.

If you have any questions at all or wish to submit an application please email

Please note we will only accept applications completed on our Solent Academies Trust application form.

Closing date for applicationsis Friday 15^th May 2026 9am.

Interviews will be held on Friday 22^nd May 2026.

Solent Academies Trust welcome applications regardless of age gender ethnicity or religion. Only applications submitted on the academys application form will be accepted Solent Academies 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 employment checks.