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Job Title: Assistant Headteacher SENCO
Location: Castle Garden School, Guildford, Surrey GU1 S3Q
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday–Friday | 8:00am – 4:00pm
Salary: £47,000 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available
About the Role
Are you ready to make a real impact in a brand-new specialist school? As part of our expanding Options Autism family, we’re searching for a dynamic and passionate Assistant Headteacher (SENDCo) to help shape its future from the ground up.
This is your chance to be part of something truly exciting: building an inclusive, nurturing, and aspirational environment where every pupil is supported to succeed. Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you will also contribute to the school day through some teaching as needed—helping you stay connected to classroom practice and our pupils’ daily experiences.
We’re looking for an inspiring and forward-thinking SEN professional who is committed to transforming the lives of children with a diverse range of needs. In this pivotal role, you’ll drive the development of SEND practice, working closely with the Headteacher, Deputy head and teaching staff, and our in-house therapy team to deliver personalised, high-quality support for every learner. You’ll champion inclusive approaches, guide colleagues with confidence, and ensure our pupils make meaningful progress—academically, socially, and emotionally.
Key Responsibilities
- Build strong, supportive relationships with pupils and families, ensuring provision meets individual needs
- Lead all EHC plan processes with accuracy, clarity, and impact
- Oversee smooth transitions into, within, and beyond the school
- Coach staff to adapt teaching and learning for complex and varied SEND profiles
- Work collaboratively with teachers and therapists to embed a robust graduated approach
- Ensure baselining, assessment, and progress tracking are purposeful and personalised
- Shape and drive the school’s annual SEND improvement plan
- Analyse whole-school trends and use insight to refine provision
- Promote staff development through identifying training needs and championing high-quality CPD
- Collaborate with behaviour and well-being teams to maintain a calm, supportive environment
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date SEND records across the school
- Teach across a variety of classes within the school as part of your weekly responsibilities
- The successful candidate will be flexible in their approach to an ever growing and changing role
Requirements / Qualifications
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- SENCo qualification- not essential but a willingness to work towards this qualification is needed
- Experience working in specialist or inclusive settings
- Strong understanding of complex and diverse SEND profiles
- Commitment to personalised learning, teamwork, and pupil well-being
- Full UK driving licence
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who believes in the potential of every child and wants to make a lasting difference within a specialist SEN school.
About Us
Castle Garden School is a brand-new independent specialist school for pupils with autism between 5 - 11 years of age.
Castle Garden School strives to provide effective, specialist education and support to autistic pupils and their families, which will allow pupils to achieve their full potential in education and life. Located in the town centre of Guildford, the school provides primary education and offers a unique mix of education and support to pupils within a wide spectrum of needs and abilities. Personalised teaching and learning in an autism specific environment allows pupils’ individual needs to be addressed completely and their capabilities fully realised.
For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
- Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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