Head of School

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• Range

• 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

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.

• 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.

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…