Head of School

Outcomes First Group; Guildford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme with options to grow

Your Wellbeing Matters (mental health/

Job summary

Castle Garden School is seeking an inspirational and ambitious Head of School to lead the community, drive educational excellence and ensure every student— including those with additional and complex needs—thrives.

You will work with the Executive Headteacher and Outcomes First Group to guide school improvement, personalise the curriculum and support a team of education professionals across a brand-new independent setting for autistic students aged 5–11.

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or an equivalent teaching qualification.
• 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 across ages/abilities.
• Strong staff leadership, recruitment, performance management and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide inspirational strategic and operational leadership with a clear vision for continuous improvement across 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 and self-evaluation.
• Lead and develop the Senior Leadership Team and staff with high expectations and professional development.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety, regulatory compliance and inspection readiness.
• Oversee improvement planning, quality assurance and monitoring to translate objectives into outcomes.
• Manage resources, budgets, admissions and operational priorities to sustain success.
• Build partnerships with families, authorities and external professionals to secure opportunities for students.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Curriculum development

Staff development

Communication skills

Safeguarding

Regulatory compliance

Education

QTS or equivalent teaching qualification

Postgraduate or specialist education qualification

Job description

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 Group 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. 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.
  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. 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