Head of School

OFG Education; Guildford; Presencial; GBP 68 000 - 83 000; Tempo integral

Vantagens oferecidas por esta oferta de emprego

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Discounts

Cycle to Work Scheme

Flexible Benefits Platform

Resumo da oferta

Castle Garden School in Guildford is seeking a high-calibre Head of School to lead our specialist education provision. You will shape strategy, quality of teaching and an ambitious curriculum for students with additional needs.

As part of OFG Education, you’ll work with the Executive Headteacher and Outcomes First Schools to drive excellence, safeguard, and holistic student development while managing resources and building strong partnerships.

Qualificações

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent teaching qualification.
• At least three successive years of senior leadership experience within special education.
• Proven track record of raising student achievement and driving school improvement.
• Experience leading curriculum development, assessment and quality assurance.
• Strong staff leadership, recruitment and professional development.
• Good safeguarding knowledge and regulatory compliance.
• Experience managing school resources and operational planning.

Responsabilidades

• Provide inspirational strategic and operational leadership with a clear vision for school life.
• Lead development and delivery of a broad, personalised curriculum to support student progress.
• Drive improvements in achievement, attendance, behaviour and wellbeing using data.
• Lead and develop the Senior Leadership Team and wider staff.
• Maintain safeguarding, health and safety and inspections readiness.
• Oversee school improvement planning and performance monitoring.
• Manage budgets, admissions and operational priorities; foster external partnerships.

Conhecimentos

QTS or equivalent

Senior leadership

Curriculum development

Staff leadership

Safeguarding

Performance management

Strategic planning

Formação académica

Postgraduate qualification or NPQH advantageous

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Enter your postcode, then select the range below

• Range

Head of School

• Guildford
• Permanent

Salary: Up to £75,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

At OFG Education we work smarter so that you can enjoy the things that matter outside of work

Job Title: Head of School
Location: Castle Garden School, Guildford, Surrey GU1 S3Q
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Salary: Up to £75,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: November 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Lead with Vision. Inspire Excellence. Shape the Future of Specialist Education.

At Castle Garden School, we're looking for an inspirational and ambitious Head of School to lead our school community, drive educational excellence and create an environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced senior leader in specialist education who is ready to take ownership of the school's day-to-day leadership, shape its strategic direction and make a lasting difference to young people with additional and complex needs.

Working closely with the Executive Headteacher and wider Outcomes First Schools team, you'll have the opportunity to lead school improvement, develop an ambitious and personalised curriculum, and inspire a talented team of education professionals.

You'll combine high expectations with a compassionate and inclusive approach, ensuring students receive exceptional teaching, therapeutic support and opportunities to develop academically, socially and emotionally.

What you'll do

• Provide inspirational strategic and operational leadership, creating a clear vision and driving continuous improvement across all aspects of school life.
• Lead the development and delivery of a broad, balanced and personalised curriculum, ensuring teaching, assessment and interventions support outstanding student progress.
• Drive improvements in student achievement, attendance, behaviour and wellbeing, using performance information and self-evaluation to identify priorities.
• Lead, motivate and develop the school's Senior Leadership Team and wider staff, embedding a culture of high expectations, accountability and professional development.
• Maintain the highest standards of safeguarding, health and safety and regulatory compliance, ensuring the school is prepared for inspections and meets statutory requirements.
• Oversee school improvement planning, quality assurance and performance monitoring, ensuring clear objectives translate into measurable outcomes.
• Manage school resources, budgets, admissions and operational priorities, supporting the school's continued success and sustainable development.
• Build strong partnerships with families, local authorities, external professionals and the wider community, championing the school and securing the best possible opportunities for students.

Who we’re looking for:

We're looking for an experienced and confident school leader who combines strategic thinking with a genuine passion for improving the lives of young people.

You'll bring:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or an equivalent teaching qualification.
• At least three successive years of senior leadership experience within special education.
• A proven track record of raising student achievement, improving behaviour and driving school improvement.
• Experience leading curriculum development, assessment and quality assurance across a range of ages and abilities.
• Strong experience of staff leadership, recruitment, performance management and professional development.
• Experience supporting students with behaviours that challenge, using inclusive and effective approaches.
• A sound understanding of safeguarding, school health and safety, statutory requirements and inspection expectations.
• Experience managing school resources and contributing to effective operational planning.
• The ability to build positive relationships with families, colleagues, external agencies and local authorities.
• Excellent communication, organisation and decision-making skills, with the resilience and confidence to lead positive change.
• A commitment to continued professional development and delivering the highest standards of specialist education.

Experience of financial management, a postgraduate or specialist education qualification, or completion of NPQH would be an advantage.

Lead a School Where Every Achievement Matters

At Castle Garden School, we believe that every student deserves an education that recognises their individuality, builds on their strengths and creates opportunities for a successful future.

As our Head of School, you'll have the opportunity to influence every aspect of that journey, from developing exceptional teaching and supporting staff to creating a school culture where students feel safe, valued and inspired to achieve.

If you're an experienced senior leader in specialist education who is ready to take the next step and lead with ambition, compassion and purpose, we'd love to hear from you.

About Us

At OFG Education, we believe every student deserves an education designed around who they are. Through high expectations, deep expertise and truly personalised education, we help students realise their potential and prepare for successful futures.

Building on more than 20 years of experience, we are bringing our approach to more students and communities around the world. Across the UK, Iberia and the Gulf, our schools combine the strength, expertise and high standards of an international education group with the individuality of each school and the communities they serve.

Whatever your role, joining OFG Education means contributing to our shared ambition: empowering every student to success through truly personalised education.

About Our School

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.

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.

Why Join Us?

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

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

OFG Education is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, OFG Education does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

Wherever you work – whether in a city location or one of our more rural settings – you'll be part of one dynamic family, aiming high and dreaming big, and helping the people we work with achieve their own personal goals

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Salary: Up to £23,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Hours: 30 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

With amazing teams working across our family of brands – Acorn Education, Options Autism, Momenta Connect and Blenheim Schools– we offer a huge range of exciting career opportunities.Take a closer look and discover how fulfilling your career could be.

Meeting the social and emotional needs of pupils who have faced trauma or adversity, equipping them for life's important steps.

Supporting autistic pupils to value their uniqueness and access the world in their own way.

At Momenta Connect we support young people to overcome barriers and engage with education.

We are committed to enabling outstanding futures for all children through a portfolio of inclusive, high-quality independent and international schools.