Deputy Headteacher in Guildford

Lead with Purpose.

Inspire Excellence.

Help Every Student Achieve More., This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced education professional who is ready to take on a senior leadership role where their ideas, expertise and commitment can have a real impact.

Working closely with the Headteacher, you'll play a central role in driving curriculum development, raising teaching standards and creating an inclusive learning environment where every student is supported to achieve their potential.

You'll lead and inspire education colleagues, champion personalised learning and work collaboratively with our clinical and wider multidisciplinary teams to ensure students receive the right support to succeed academically, socially and emotionally.

• Work alongside the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to drive school improvement, maintain high standards and shape the school's educational vision.
• Lead and develop the school curriculum, ensuring high-quality teaching, personalised learning and meaningful opportunities for every student.
• Monitor student progress, achievement and individual targets, using assessment information to identify priorities and improve outcomes.
• Champion positive behaviour support, working closely with the clinical team to develop, implement and review individual Behaviour Support Plans.
• Lead, motivate and develop education staff through coaching, supervision, performance management and professional development.
• Promote a strong culture of safeguarding, inclusion and high expectations, ensuring policies, procedures and regulatory requirements are consistently met.
• Build effective partnerships with families, carers, external professionals and multidisciplinary teams to provide coordinated support for students.
• Support the Headteacher with operational leadership, staff management, recruitment and resource planning, deputising when required.

We're looking for a confident and compassionate leader who combines excellent teaching practice with the ability to inspire others and drive positive change.

You'll bring

• A degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Relevant teaching experience supporting students with autism, complex needs and/or behaviours that challenge.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, support and develop colleagues.
• Experience managing staff and supporting high standards of teaching and learning.
• A sound understanding of SEND legislation, safeguarding procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Strong organisational, communication and decision-making skills.
• The confidence to implement positive change and contribute to whole-school improvement.
• Good knowledge of people management practices and the ability to manage resources effectively.
• A collaborative, resilient and solution-focused approach, with high expectations for every student.
• A driving licence and a commitment to continued professional development.

Experience of Ofsted or Estyn inspections, residential education settings and budget management would be an advantage.

At Castle Garden School, we're looking for an ambitious, inspirational and dedicated Deputy Headteacher to help shape the future of our school and make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people with additional and complex needs.

At Castle Garden School, we believe that every student deserves an education built around their individual strengths, needs and aspirations.

As our Deputy Headteacher, you'll have the opportunity to influence far more than the day-to-day running of the school.

You'll help develop outstanding teaching practice, support colleagues to grow professionally and create an environment where students can build confidence, develop independence and achieve meaningful success.

Castle Garden School is a brand-new independent specialist school for students with autism between 5 - 11 years of age.

Castle Garden School strives to provide effective, specialist education and support to autistic students and their families, which will allow students to achieve their full potential in education and life.

Located in the town centre of Guildford, the school provides primary education and offers a unique mix of education and support to students within a wide spectrum of needs and abilities.

Personalised teaching and learning in an autism specific environment allows students' individual needs to be addressed completely and their capabilities fully realised.

At Outcomes First Schools, we provide specialist education for learners who need a deeper level of understanding, expertise and support than mainstream education can typically offer.

We support students with a wide range of complex, co-occurring and neurodivergent needs, including autism, ADHD, SEMH, speech and communication needs, dyslexia and experiences of trauma or adversity.

We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people.

All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks

• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including

• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
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