Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Sedbergh School 

​Chief Operating Officer (COO)​ 

The Governors of Sedbergh School invite applications for the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) from April 2025.  

Sedbergh School is a leading coeducational full boarding school located in stunning surroundings in the Yorkshire Dales, close to the Lake District. The school has its own prep school, Casterton, Sedbergh Preparatory School, and together the two schools provide an outstanding education to almost 800 pupils from the ages of 4 to 18. Sedbergh has partner schools in Fuzhou, China and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, as well as two subsidiary companies, Sedbergh School Developments Ltd and Sedbergh School International Ltd, and a nursery, also based at Casterton.  

Founded in 1525, Sedbergh has a rich history based on the Christian values of compassion and integrity, where excellent pastoral care and unrivalled provision for boarding underpin all aspects of school life. Pupils are afforded many opportunities to develop qualities of humility, ambition, resilience and kindness, and academic ‘value added’ places Sedbergh in the top 10% of schools nationally. The experiences of a Sedberghian are never confined only to the classroom, and pupils benefit from a wide variety of co-curricular opportunities, developing a spirit of adventure which makes the most of the spectacular surrounding landscape.  

At an exciting time, with the 500th anniversary of Sedbergh in 2025, the COO will be a key part of the Senior Leadership Team and will work closely with the Headmaster and Board of Governors to help lead the strategic direction across the organisation. A wide-ranging and exciting role, the COO will provide commercial input into key areas, identifying future opportunities for development and growth during a period of change within the sector, and leading the Operational Leadership Team in the effective management of support staff. As Clerk to the Governors, the COO is responsible for the effective administration of corporate governance for the charity.  

The successful candidate will be an experienced professional with a track record of managing diverse resources and teams and delivering organisational innovation. Applications are encouraged from candidates from a broad range of sectors who have strong commercial and operational skills, and a demonstrable record of success in commercial, operational and/or business management roles. A commitment to, and empathy with, the wider educational and charitable mission of Sedbergh School will also be essential. 

A Candidate brief is available from www.odgers.com/91432     

CVs, covering letters and application forms should be sent by the closing date, 09.00 BST Tuesday 28th May.  

Sedbergh School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful candidates must be willing to undergo full screening in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE), including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils will be explored at interview.