Head
Oakhyrst Grange School
Caterham
- Expired
- Salary:
- Competitive salary + fee remission
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September 2025
- Apply by:
- 7 March 2025
Job overview
Oakhyrst Grange is a small and popular independent prep day school for up to 160 boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 11 years. It is a standalone school with its own freehold, not tied to any one senior school or group of schools. Originally founded in 1950 as a privately owned day school for boys, it became a charitable trust in 1973 and is now managed by the Board of Charity Trustee Governors of the Oakhyrst Grange School CIO.
The school provides a warm, family atmosphere where dedicated staff ensure that all the children are treated with respect and valued for their unique talents. The school has extensive grounds which provide the perfect setting for learning and recreation.
The Governors are inviting applications for the role of Head to succeed Mr Alex Gear who will be retiring after 16 years of dedicated service. He is leaving behind a school that is renowned for having a really “special feeling” and happy, engaged and confident children.
The candidate is likely to be an ambitious Deputy Head or Senior Leader; a strong team-player, who has the sensitivity to embrace the long-established values of the school coupled with the dynamism to lead it into an exciting future. They will be a creative thinker, able to use their awareness of the current and future education landscape to demonstrate a strategic vision for the school’s continued success in an evolving world.
The successful candidate will be a first-class communicator, able to act as ambassador and professional advocate for the school, with strong personal credibility and the capacity to build relationships.
A competitive salary, commensurate with qualifications and experience, and fee remission is offered.
Potential candidates who would like a confidential initial conversation about this headship should contact one of the RSAcademics search consultants working on this project:
- Louisa Barham, Search Consultant: louisabarham@rsacademics.com
- Diana Watkins, Senior Advisor: dianawatkins@rsacademics.com
If you are excited by the prospect of leading this lovely school, further information, including how to apply, can be found on the RSAcademics website: www.rsacademics.com
Closing date: 10.00am on Friday 7th March 2025.
Oakhyrst Grange School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
The safeguarding responsibilities of the role are indicated in the candidate information.
RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.
About Oakhyrst Grange School
Oakhyrst Grange School is a preparatory day school for boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 11.
The school was established in 1950 and moved to its present premises in Caterham, Surrey in 1957. Since September 1973 the school has been administered by a non-profit making trust.
Standing in five acres of beautiful open countryside and woodland and surrounded by the Green Belt, the School enjoy s a unique and inspiring setting, nestling amongst the Surrey Hills.
The School has a wide and imaginative curriculum, and combines the best of traditional teaching with innovative and up to date ideas and computer based learning methods . Small class sizes and an excellent teacher/pupil ratio enable pupils to work at their own rate and capabilities whilst being encouraged to meet new challenges and stretch themselves academically.
Pupils secure offers of places at a variety of prominent senior schools, with many receiving academic, all-rounder, music, sports and art scholarships.
Oakhyrst provides many sporting opportunities and particularly high standards have been reached in swimming, cross-country, football, judo and athletics, where ISA National level has been achieved. The pupils complete in many inter house, inter school and area competitions. On site facilities include a modern heated indoor swimming pool, all weather tennis, netball, hockey and 5-a-side court, multi-purpose sports field, woodland cross-country course and fully equipped gymnasium.
Music and drama play a large part in the life of the school. Children learn a wide variety of instruments both within school hours and as part of the extra-curricular activities provided. They also perform at regular concerts and music festivals as part of one of the school’s ensembles, including those featuring the clarinet, violin, trumpet, flute and guitar. Oakhyrst’s large and popular choir can also be heard regularly and children of all ages get a taste of perform on stage in school productions throughout the year.
In addition to the curriculum, the pupils can also enjoy an extensive range of clubs and activities.
Academic excellence is encouraged and achieved, with the emphasis placed on ensuring that every child attains his or her individual potential and that specific talents are identified and nurtured . An Oakhyrst education helps children to develop into thoughtful, caring and confident young people.
Charitable status. Oakhyrst Grange School Educational Trust is a Registered Charity, number 325043.
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