Deputy Headteacher

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Job Title:

Deputy Headteacher

Location:

Castle Garden School, Guildford, Surrey GU1 S3Q

Hours:

40 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Salary:
£60,000 per annum (not pro rata)

Contract:

Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:
November 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Could You Be the Leader Who Helps Turn Potential into Progress?

Every student has their own strengths, challenges and ambitions. At Castle Garden School, we're looking for a dedicated Deputy Headteacher who understands that exceptional education begins with understanding the individual.

We're seeking an experienced and enthusiastic education leader who can bring fresh thinking, high expectations and a practical, hands-on approach to improving outcomes for young people with autism, complex needs and behaviours that challenge.

You'll have the opportunity to make your mark across the school, from shaping an engaging and personalised curriculum to helping colleagues develop their skills and confidence. Working closely with the Headteacher, you'll help ensure that high-quality teaching, positive behaviour support and student wellbeing remain central to everything we do.

This is a role for someone who enjoys being involved, leading by example and finding creative solutions to challenges. You'll combine educational leadership with meaningful involvement in the daily life of the school, helping create an environment where students feel understood, supported and motivated to achieve.

How You'll Make an Impact

Shape learning experiences:
Coordinate and strengthen curriculum provision, ensuring teaching is engaging, inclusive and adapted to students' individual abilities and needs.

Bring out the best in colleagues:
Lead, coach and support education staff, promoting professional growth, effective teamwork and consistently high standards.

Make progress meaningful:
Oversee assessment, individual targets and student progress, ensuring learning and support strategies lead to positive outcomes.

Champion positive behaviour:
Work alongside clinical professionals to develop and review Behaviour Support Plans that help students build confidence, independence and emotional resilience.

Create a joined-up approach:
Bring together education, care and clinical colleagues to ensure students benefit from consistent, personalised support.

Strengthen relationships:
Work collaboratively with families, carers and external agencies, ensuring everyone involved in a student's development is working towards shared goals.

Support school excellence:
Contribute to safeguarding, quality assurance, staff recruitment, operational planning and the continuous improvement of school provision.

Lead when it matters:
Support and deputise for the Headteacher, making informed decisions and helping maintain a safe, positive and purposeful school environment.

The Experience and Qualities You'll Bring

You'll be an approachable and confident leader who combines strong educational knowledge with the ability to inspire others.

Essential requirements:

A degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Teaching experience supporting students with autism, complex needs and/or behaviours that challenge.

Experience managing, motivating and developing staff.

Strong knowledge of SEND legislation, safeguarding and regulatory requirements.

Effective leadership, communication and organisational skills.

Good understanding of people management practices and the ability to implement positive change.

Confidence making decisions, managing competing priorities and responding effectively to challenges.

A collaborative approach, with the ability to work across education and multidisciplinary teams.

A commitment to high-quality…