Head

We care far more about how you lead, than where you learnt to lead

About our school

We are S. Anselm’s.

We are a small and growing independent school. We are not looking for an identikit Head driven by generic improvement plans or a bag of borrowed ideas. If that is how you work, this role will not suit you.

We know our school is made by people, culture and standards - not branding or theatre. We value clear thinking, professional judgement and decisions grounded in first principles.

We are thoughtful about who will thrive here and we are open-minded as to who that might be.

Our Ethos

Every decision we make is driven by the child, with the long term in mind.

We return repeatedly to one question:

What will each decision mean for the adult this child will become?

That question shapes our curriculum, our expectations, our relationships and our boundaries.

We prioritise:

·      clear standards

·      warmth without vagueness

·      confidence without show

·      belonging built through consistency.

Our facilities support our work. They are not the work. Our culture is.

What are we looking for?

This appointment is not about disruption or reinvention. It is a planned transition, with mentoring in place, designed to protect what already works, while allowing the school to grow steadily. The incoming Head will have real responsibility from the outset and incredible support from the existing team.

We do not believe in stop-start leadership. We believe in stewardship and continuity. This role will suit a leader who has already carried real responsibility for standards, culture and difficult decisions - and who understands that trust is built through consistency rather than rhetoric.

The school is clear about its direction, and confident in its culture. What is needed is leadership that is steady, thoughtful and willing to build carefully over time, not leadership that performs for effect.

The Head of S. Anselm’s will:

·      be visible and present with pupils, staff and families

·      set and maintain standards calmly and consistently

·      lead teaching and learning with judgement rather than fashion

·      take strategic decisions with the long view in mind

·      improve what matters without unnecessary noise

·      be comfortable engaging with innovation

·      grow the school without losing their nerve or losing sight of its culture.

This is not a desk-based role. Presence matters here.

If you believe schools exist to prepare children properly for adult life, and you recognise yourself in the description above, we would be delighted to hear from you.

We welcome applicants from the private and state sector. S. Anselm’s works in partnership with local state schools and values leadership shaped by complex, accountable environments. We are interested in how you lead, not where you learnt to lead.

If you have built strong cultures under pressure and recognise the values described here, your experience will be taken seriously.

We are Anselm’s.

Bring yourself. Leave the theatre behind.

The optional starting dates, dependent on present positional notice requirements, are September 2026, January 2027 or April 2027.

S. Anselm’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are made subject to receipt of a completed application form, satisfactory references and Enhanced DBS Disclosure.