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What is the job role?Assistant Headteacher – Join Our Inspirational Team!
Castle Wood is a vibrant and thriving broad spectrum special school, providing education for 168 primary-aged pupils with a wide range of learning needs, including PMLD, SLD, ASD, SLCN, and complex behavioural challenges. We are deeply passionate about teaching and learning, and our vision is simple yet powerful: “Together, children first.” We believe that every member of our school community plays a vital role in helping our pupils fulfill their potential.
Our school ethos is built on respect, inclusion, and positive relationships, underpinned by Early Years principles. As we prepare to expand from 168 to 184 pupils in September 2025, we are seeking to appoint an additional Assistant Headteacher to work alongside our current leadership team. We aim for the successful candidate to start with us in Easter 2025, supporting the growth of our school and continuing our journey towards excellence.
What We Offer:
• A collaborative and exceptional leadership team
• Opportunities for continuous professional development
• A well-resourced primary special school environment
• A school culture where everyone is valued, included, and respected
• Inspirational pupils who love coming to school and are eager to learn
• A supportive and dedicated Governing Body focused on pupil outcomes and school improvement
• Opportunities to develop and extend your own leadership potential
About the Role:
As Assistant Headteacher, you will:
• Contribute to the development and implementation of whole-school strategies
• Lead and inspire teaching staff, driving high expectations for all pupils
• Work closely with the leadership team to ensure the school’s continued success and improvement
• Shape and promote a culture of inclusion, respect, and positive behaviour
• Support the development of curriculum initiatives, particularly within the context of special educational needs (SEN)
• Play a key role in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• Presented with the opportunity to enhance and expand your leadership potential
The specific responsibilities of the role will be tailored to the experience and skills of the successful candidate.
Who are we looking for?What We’re Looking For
To thrive in this role, you will have:
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and experience working with pupils with a range of special needs
• A proven track record of outstanding practice and high expectations for all pupils
• A genuine passion for SEN and the ability to inspire both staff and pupils
• Experience in whole-school leadership (desirable)
• Strong interpersonal skills, resilience, sensitivity, and an infectious enthusiasm
• The initiative, commitment, and drive to lead and support our school community
• A clear understanding of safeguarding and the role of a leader in this process
• Knowledge of Early Years principles, as these underpin our approach to teaching and learning
• A solid understanding of mainstream education, with experience in adapting practices for children with SEND
• Expertise in working with complex needs, including ASC, PMLD, or SLD (an advantage)
Why Join Us?
At Castle Wood, we are committed to fostering a positive work environment, where staff well-being and professional growth are at the heart of everything we do. In return for your passion, energy, and leadership, we offer:
Personalised Continuing Professional Learning
Opportunities to collaborate with experts from various disciplines
Opportunities for professional growth beyond the school
A dedicated and supportive leadership team, governors, and colleagues
A comprehensive staff wellbeing package, including:
Opportunity for leadership-focused time off-site under specific circumstances
Employee assistance programme
Salary sacrifice scheme
Access to our hydrotherapy pool
Free tea, coffee, and staff car parking
Staff workwear
Next Steps:
We would love to hear from you if you are excited about making a difference in the lives of our pupils. To apply for this role, please complete the online application form, ensuring you address the following question:
• Outline how your current and previous roles and responsibilities have prepared you for this post.
You can also download the full job description and person specification from our website.
A tour of the school is highly encouraged – come and see our wonderful facilities and meet our inspiring pupils! To arrange a visit, please email mailto:cwhr@castlewood.coventry.sch.uk.
We look forward to welcoming a new leader who shares our passion for providing an outstanding education for children with special needs.
Key Requirements:
This School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Please submit your application form online using the apply now button on the advert. In your application form please detail the skills, knowledge and expertise which are required to become a successful Assistant Headteacher and why you wish to work at Castle Wood along with how your current and previous roles and responsibilities have prepared you for this post.
Please note references will be sought prior to interview. Online checks will be undertaken.
Unfortunately, due to the extremely high number of applications expected, we are unable to respond to each individual. If you have not heard by end of February then your application has been unsuccessful at this time.
Closing date: Note, adverts shut off at midnight on your closing date Tuesday 5th February 2025
Interview date: (and assessment day): Thursday 13th February 2025
If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:
Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
Are currently in care or have previously been in care
If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
For full details on the application process please read the attached documents. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.
Following recommendations from Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) for an additional pre employment check with effect 1 Sept 22, please note, an online search may form part of this recruitment process.
