Welcome

Dear Candidate,

Welcome to Castles Education and thank you for your interest in becoming our Headteacher.

Castles Education was borne from an a sense of obligation on the part of the Proprietors to give something back after successful business careers. The intention is to support children who don’t fit the typical school mould, and inspire them to want more from themselves and their future.

The school opened in Gainsborough in September 2022, from the amalgamation of two former schools. We provide an education to children aged 6 to 16 with social, emotional and mental health needs, from Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and surrounding areas. There are 110 pupils on roll.

Our vision is to change lives for the better through personalised learning, nurture and preparation for life. Our aim is that all pupils who leave us have the qualifications, skills and social capital they need to access Post-16 further education, employment or training.

The school has experienced a challenging recent period and was recently graded as inadequate. This judgement was expected and we had already started a process of rapid school improvement which was recognised by inspectors. We are looking for a new Headteacher who will see this challenge as an opportunity and who has the knowledge, energy and strategic leadership experience to lead long term sustained change. You will be supported by an experienced and effective SLT, including an Associate Headteacher who manages the day-to-day operation of the school. The school is currently led by an interim Executive Headteacher who will leave when the new Headteacher starts.

We are developing a curriculum which addresses all the needs of our pupils, with three main strands: therapeutic, life skills and academic/vocational. We are working towards a personalised approach to learning, with each student following the curriculum which is best for them and taught in the most appropriate way. We are changing our school culture to embody nurture, trauma-informed practice, restorative practice and our values of High Expectations, Understanding, Positivity, Respect and Equity.

You will provide strategic leadership in all aspects of the school, including teaching and learning, the curriculum, inclusion, SEN, assessment and behaviour. You will manage our relationships with the Local Authorities and develop sustainable, long-term plans with regard to admissions and the structure of the school. You will ensure that the finances are managed so that we provide the best possible education to our pupils within the usual cost constraints. There is scope for considerable growth in the role, as we look at options for expansion in a number of areas including new SEMH schools, alternative provision and Post-16. We are looking for a Headteacher who wants to be a key part of these exciting plans.

This is an exciting role which will require excellent knowledge of SEMH education and extensive experience of working in that setting. We are interested in hearing from existing headteachers as well as experienced deputy headteachers. Importantly you must be a great leader who is able to motivate staff at all levels to work together in demanding circumstances to deliver the best education to some of the most vulnerable and challenging children. As well as the appropriate skills and experience you will need resilience, diligence, patience and good humour.

If this fantastic opportunity interests you, you are encouraged to please contact our recruitment partner Martin Blair at Hays Leadership on 07736791138 or at martin.blair@hays.com to arrange a visit, have a conversation to discuss the role in more detail or to make an application.

Warm regards

John Marsden & Simon Thornton, Proprietors