DescriptionSupporting documentsEmployerLocation
Job Title: Assistant Headteacher, Culture & Ethos
FTE: 1 FTE
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Marlwood School, BS35 3LA
Start date: January 2026
Are you ready to lead with purpose, compassion, and vision? Marlwood School is seeking an exceptional Assistant Headteacher to join our dynamic Senior Leadership Team and help shape the future of our students and community.
About the role
This is a pivotal leadership position at the heart of our school’s journey toward excellence. As Assistant Headteacher, you will champion student wellbeing, safety, and inclusion—ensuring every young person thrives in a nurturing and secure environment. You’ll lead our pastoral provision with strategic clarity and operational precision, driving high standards in behaviour, attendance, and engagement.
You’ll be our Designated Safeguarding Lead, taking full responsibility for safeguarding and child protection, and will work collaboratively across our Trust to ensure every child receives a great education—regardless of background or ability.
You will be:
1. Leading student support systems to ensure every child has access to life-changing opportunities
2. Overseeing behaviour, attendance, and engagement with robust, consistent systems
3. Driving inclusive practices and interventions that remove barriers to learning
4. Championing student voice and embedding a culture of aspiration, celebration, and reward
5. Collaborating with colleagues across the Trust to share expertise and drive improvement
6. Teaching to an exemplary standard and modelling best practice across the school
7. Leading strategic planning and school self-evaluation alongside the Headteacher and SLT
About you
We’re seeking a visionary leader who is:
8. Experienced as a Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy DSL
9. Passionate about inclusion, equity, and student welfare
10. Skilled in leading whole-school initiatives that drive measurable impact
11. Reflective, pragmatic, and relentlessly optimistic
12. Able to inspire staff, students, and stakeholders alike
13. Committed to collaborative leadership and continuous professional development
14. Knowledgeable in safeguarding legislation and pupil premium strategy
About us
This is a really exciting time to join Marlwood School. Having received a Good Ofsted rating in November 2023, you will be joining us on our journey towards becoming an exceptional school that lies at the heart of a close knit community. With around 550 students, we are a smaller than average secondary school and this brings with it many benefits, not least our ability to get to know our children quickly, understand their individual needs and place high quality education at the heart of everything we do. Our values of Resilience, Respect and Responsibility are lived throughout our school community.
We pride ourselves on our CPD support, both at school and Trust level. As a school, we invest in personalised coaching for all staff, with a focus on subject-specific pedagogy and teaching and learning. We also have a central Trust education team who support and deliver high quality training.
We can offer you:
15. School commitment to CPD and development of all staff including collaborative support and instructional coaching to allow teachers to thrive.
16. Trust support, development and a facilitated collegiate approach to curriculum implementation, best practice and assessment.
17. Commitment to inclusivity and fostering of diversity
18. Values and vision that are lived not laminated
19. Warm, open and honest culture and learning community
20. Up to 30% discount with Microsoft & Dell
21. Discounted gym membership
22. Life Assurance - 3 x Death in Service
23. Cycle to work scheme
24. Dedicated counselling service
In order to apply for this role please complete an application form, in full, by 22nd September, 9am. Further job details are requirements can be found in the supporting recruitment pack. Please let us know if you require any adjustments as part of the process.
If you think this is the role for you, we would love to hear from you. Before applying it may be beneficial for you to arrange a visit or speak with the Headteacher. Please contact the school to arrange a time to do so.
Please note, that depending on the number of applications received, we may decide to close the advert early. If you do not hear from us within a week after the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted for an interview on this occasion. Please take the opportunity to join our E-Teach Talent Pool so we can keep you up to date with future opportunities.
Join us in Providing a Great Education for Every Child
CSET is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and communities, as we recognise the importance and benefit this has for our pupils.
Safeguarding Statement
Castle School Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As part of this commitment, any offer of employment will be subject to child protection screening appropriate to the post which will include an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for the Children’s Workforce and a Children’s Barred List check.