About This Role
Are you an inspiring and experienced leader looking to drive outstanding outcomes for every child?
The Governors of The Castle School are looking to appoint an exceptional Headteacher to lead our vibrant SEN community. This is a unique opportunity to build on a strong foundation and shape the future of a multi-faceted provision whose purpose is to educate, motivate, inspire, and celebrate all children with additional needs.
Our school offers:
Integrated Therapeutic Approach: You will lead a truly holistic environment where speech and language, occupational, and creative therapies are woven into the very fabric of our daily curriculum.
Specialist SEMH provision: Our dedicated Social, Emotional, and Mental Health unit in Theale, focuses on trauma-informed practice and restorative growth to help students find their voice and their footing.
Vibrant Post-16 College: We do more than teach; we prepare. Our Post-16 site is a launchpad for adulthood, focusing on vocational excellence, employability, and the confidence to navigate the wider world.
About the Role
As Headteacher, you will lead an environment where "complex needs" are met with sophisticated solutions. You will empower and inspire your team to look beyond the surface delivering exceptional outcomes tailored to meet each student’s unique needs. You will explore ways to evolve our therapeutic models and enable our learners to transition into the world with purpose. You will provide visionary leadership ensuring a safe, nurturing, and ambitious environment where students thrive and staff feel inspired, motivated, and supported. You will oversee the overall performance, development, and success of the school and ensure full compliance with safeguarding, statutory, and regulatory requirements.
Who you are
You are an ambitious and empathetic leader who understands that, for our students, success is not just a grade. It is a gained skill, a managed emotion, or a successful step into the community. You bring a deep understanding of SEND and are committed to inclusive education and aspirational outcomes for every student.
How to apply Informal visits welcomed w/c 13th April. Call Cassy Clark, HR Officer, on 01635 42976 or email hr@castle.w-berks.sch.uk to arrange to come and see the school. Please complete an application form via TES, the school’s website The Castle School - Home or ask Cassy to email you one. Please complete all sections of the application form, explain any gaps in employment since leaving full time education, and include in the supporting statement details of how you meet the criteria identified in the Person Specification. The Castle School is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment and are in line with the guidance in KCSIE. All shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a criminal records self-disclosure form. Successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks including online searches to help to identify any incidents and/or issues, which may be relevant to your suitability for the role, which the school may want to explore further with you. Application closing date: 12 noon 17th April 2026
The interview will be a two day process 27th and 28th April 2026