Headteacher

Coventry City Council; Coventry; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent local education authority seeks a Headteacher for Castle Wood, the largest special needs primary school in Coventry. The ideal candidate will have extensive strategic leadership experience, particularly in supporting SEND children. Responsibilities include promoting quality teaching, monitoring learning, and ensuring compliance with educational standards. The role offers competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive environment dedicated to student success.

Benefits

Supportive governing body and leadership team

Well-equipped school facilities

Professional development opportunities

Comprehensive staff wellbeing package

Competitive salary with pension scheme

Access to occupational health services

Free onsite parking and refreshments

Qualifications

• Demonstrate strategic experience supporting SEND children.
• Experience managing budgets effectively.
• Experience in designing and delivering engaging curricula.

Responsibilities

• Create a culture of continuous improvement.
• Monitor teaching and learning.
• Ensure compliance with SEND code of practice.

Skills

Strategic experience

Knowledge of Ofsted procedures

Budget management

Interpersonal skills

QTS

Leadership skills

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

NPQH or relevant professional qualifications

Job description

Responsibilities

• Create a culture of continuous improvement through inspirational leadership, committed to the highest levels of achievement in all areas of the school to provide an excellent education for all pupils.
• Promote a positive focus on quality‑first teaching, creative learning, and meeting pupils’ educational and personal needs.
• Monitor teaching and learning.
• Develop a cohesive staff that works together to meet the educational and social needs of pupils and support staff training and development.
• Ensure Castle Wood meets the SEND code of practice in delivering statutory components of EHCPs and the requirements of relevant inspection and regulatory bodies.
• Be outward facing, working closely with local authorities, external agencies, and communicating effectively with all stakeholders, including governors, parents, and carers.
• Answer the following questions on your online application form:
  • Describe, with reference to your present post and responsibilities, how your experience meets the requirements of this post.
  • Describe your leadership style, touching upon your strengths and development areas.

Application Process

A shortlist of candidates will be selected by 16th January and invited to attend a selection process. This will take place over two days on 28th & 29th January with a series of activities including a formal interview.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate a wealth of relevant strategic experience as a senior leader supporting SEND children within a complex and changeable working environment.
• Have practical knowledge and experience of the system, processes and challenges of a special school environment.
• Be experienced with Ofsted procedures/inspections and working with School Improvement Partners to accurately assess and implement improvements.
• Possess experience in managing budgets effectively and ensuring cost efficiency and financial compliance.
• Have a clear understanding of safeguarding and the role of a senior leader in this process.
• Have experience in designing and delivering creative and academically engaging curriculum, with excellent management skills and the ability to work with various professional networks.
• Be a Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with experience of working with primary‑aged pupils who have a range of complex special needs.
• Have, or be undertaking, NPQH or other relevant professional qualifications/development in leadership.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, resilience, sensitivity and an infectious enthusiasm, demonstrating forward thinking and positivity.
• Ability to lead with passion and compassion – supporting a dedicated team to do a demanding job, whilst ensuring that all are performing to the highest possible standards.
• Knowledge of early years principles as this underpins teaching and learning in our school.

About Castle Wood

Castle Wood is the largest broad‑spectrum special needs primary school in Coventry, with 195 primary‑aged pupils. Special education needs include PMLD, SLD, ASD, SLCN, and some of our children display complex behaviour challenges. Our vision, 'Together, children first', reflects our belief that everyone plays a vital role in helping our pupils realise their full potential. Our values drive everything we do at Castle Wood. The school values are honesty, integrity, trust, empathy and respect. We are proud of the positive ethos of our school, underpinned by our Early Years principles across all year groups and are passionate about teaching and learning and making a difference in our children’s lives.

The board of governors is seeking to appoint Castle Wood’s next Headteacher to continue to lead and drive the school forward. We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, positive, and inspirational Headteacher who has a strong desire to work with and develop children with complex learning needs and a desire to continue to drive our exceptional school forward.

Benefits

• Committed and supportive governing body, leadership team, colleagues, and parents.
• A well‑equipped and well‑maintained school.
• Commitment to continuing professional development and access to online learning platforms.
• Comprehensive staff wellbeing package including leadership time off‑site, employee assistance programme, salary sacrifice scheme, access to hydrotherapy pool, free tea and coffee, free staff car parking, and staff workwear.
• Competitive salary with a teacher pension scheme.
• Access to salary sacrifice schemes.
• Access to occupational health and counselling services.
• Free tea and coffee, onsite parking.

Apply Now

If this opportunity excites you and you believe you are the right person to lead our school and you want to make a difference to the lives of pupils at Castle Wood, then we want to hear from you.