Director of Futures (Careers)

THE SCHOOL

St Helen’s is a leading independent day school of more than 1100 students aged 3-18 and is a member of the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA). The spacious and beautiful 21-acre site is conveniently located in the heart of Northwood in North London, approximately 30 minutes by underground from Central London and within easy reach of the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire borders.

St Helen’s is committed to academic excellence and is dedicated to equipping pupils with the skills which will enable them to take their places as leaders in a rapidly changing world. The culture of the school is deeply rooted in its fine history, having been founded by Miss May Rowland Brown in 1899, but is also forward-looking and innovative. Whilst strong academic standards prevail across the whole school and pupils are encouraged to have high expectations for their achievement and career prospects, success is measured and celebrated not just in the excellent exam results the girls achieve, but in the widest possible sense.

The school consists of a Prep and Senior school and educates girls from the Early Years Foundation Stage to Sixth Form. St Helen’s provides a wonderful environment for girls to flourish and succeed. An outstanding pastoral system is central to ensuring that girls remain balanced and supported throughout the various stages of their journey through the school. Academic excellence stands at the heart of learning and teaching at St Helen’s; the school aims to give each student a challenging and well-balanced education which develops her intellectual, creative and physical abilities to the full. At all stages, the focus is on the learner: pupils are encouraged to think about different ways of approaching their learning and to decide upon and use the methods which work best for them, enabling them to develop an independent approach to their studies.

THE OPPORTUNITY  

St Helen’s is keen to appoint an enthusiastic Director of Futures (careers). This is a full-time permanent position, working Monday to Friday during term time plus a week in August (A Level results week). 

FUTURES AT ST HELEN'S SCHOOL

At the heart of our aims as a School is that we equip pupils to play a full and active role in adult life and, to this end, the Futures programme will provide an exceptional preparation for Higher Education and professional life.  

This is a coherent and ambitious programme, with preparation for life at its core, which will enable all pupils to develop a mature and informed understanding of their own potential together with a variety of routes via which this can be fulfilled. It will encourage girls to be ambitious and to aim high.  

As well as Careers Education and Guidance, the programme will include the Higher Education Application process, professional and life skills development, and networking and mentoring so that our pupils receive the best possible preparation for life beyond school which enables them to stand out from the crowd in interviews and at work. 

The Futures Programme will be delivered through tutor time, assemblies, PSHCE and programmes of talks, events, conferences, and presentations for girls as they progress through the Senior School, with more in-depth activities and curriculum enrichment planned at key points throughout the academic year for each year group and Section of the school as appropriate.  

The Director of the Futures Programme will work closely with the Director of Sixth Form, the Heads of Year, the Scholars Programme for students with the highest intellectual potential (HIP) and the Marketing team; they will lead the Higher Education reference writing team (comprising subject teachers and form tutors) as well as being responsible for the strategic development and operational delivery of Careers Education throughout the school from years 7-13, liaising with staff in Prep to ensure a smooth transition into Senior School.

Please read the applicant information pack for full role responsibilities and person specification.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Closing date: 8.00am Thursday 3rd April 2025.

Interview date: Monday 7th April 2025

Please apply as soon as possible as shortlisting/interviews will progress up until the closing date. Should a suitable candidate be appointed, we reserve the right to close the advert early. Due to the high volume of applicants, we receive, if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume we will not be progressing your application further on this occasion. 

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the school where they will be interviewed by members of the Senior Leadership Team and have a tour of the school.

St Helen’s school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as detailed in Part 3 (Safer Recruitment) of the KCSIE 2024 guidance document. Applicants will be asked for proof of right to work in the UK and undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the disclosure and barring service.

If you have any queries about this position, please contact the school at recruitment@sthelens.london