Deputy Headteacher

Castle School, Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 2EE

12 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  11 May 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  29 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Deputy headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £80,655.00 - £88,951.00 Annually (FTE)

Deputy Headteacher job summary

Deputy Headteacher- Special

Castle School, Cambridge
Leadership Scale 19-L23

Full Time, Permanent

Start Date: September 2026

At Castle School Cambridge, we are proud to be a thriving and ambitious special school, supporting children and young people aged 2-19 with a wide range of complex needs. Our mission, “Together We Learn,” underpins everything we do, placing relationships, high expectations and personalised support at the heart of our practice.

We are seeking to appoint an exceptional Deputy Headteacher to join our senior leadership team at a pivotal point in the school’s development. This is a key strategic role, offering the opportunity to shape the quality of education, strengthen systems and provision, and contribute to the long-term vision and sustainability of the school.

This role will suit an experienced and values-driven leader who is committed to inclusive practice and has a strong track record of improving outcomes for pupils with SEND. You will bring clarity, integrity and ambition, alongside the ability to lead and inspire others, drive improvement and ensure that every pupil receives the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a deep understanding of high-quality teaching and learning, particularly within specialist settings
• Can lead and manage change effectively, with a clear focus on impact
• Is committed to developing staff and building leadership capacity across the school
• Has the credibility and presence to work as part of a strong, collaborative senior team
• Shares our moral purpose and unwavering focus on improving life chances for our pupils

In return, we offer:

• The opportunity to work within a highly committed and skilled staff team
• A supportive and forward-thinking governing body
• A school with a strong sense of community and clear direction of travel
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and system leadership

This is more than a Deputy Headship, it is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference within a complex and rewarding setting, and to help shape the future of inclusive education.

Castle School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to enhanced DBS clearance, satisfactory references and all pre-employment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Closing Date: 11.05.26 (midnight)

Interviews: 18th/19th May 2026

Visits to the school encouraged and can be arranged for 4th, 5th or 7th May 2026 by contacting 01223 442400

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Castle School, Cambridge

• School type: Special school, ages 2 to 19
• School size: 235 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Castle School, Cambridge website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/castle-school-cambridge

School location

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