Head
Ashford School
Kent
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Apply by:
- 1 November 2026
Job overview
We are seeking an outstanding educational leader to become the next Head of Ashford School.
This is an opportunity to lead a flourishing co-educational independent day and boarding school, educating pupils from 3 months to 19 years. In doing so, you will benefit from joining a school that is deeply embedded within United Learning with the strength, expertise and support of its Central Team and colleagues across the Group.
With over 600 pupils across its Prep and Senior Schools, Ashford combines academic ambition with a strong commitment to personal development, wellbeing and opportunity. Set across two distinctive campuses in the heart of Kent, the School is known for its welcoming community, breadth of educational experience and belief that every child can achieve extraordinary things.
Leading Ashford School offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on an exceptional school community while helping to shape the future of independent education within one of the country's most successful educational groups.
If you are an outstanding leader with the vision, courage and commitment to inspire others and deliver excellence, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For further information, please refer to the Candidate Information Pack.
To arrange a confidential conversation with Fiona Boulton OBE, Director of Independent Schools, please contact Sarah Askew at sarah.askew@unitedlearning.org.uk.
United Learning is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that values diversity, celebrates difference and enables all colleagues to thrive. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds who share our commitment to educational excellence and inclusion.
Ashford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to rigorous safeguarding checks, including references, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and online searches in line with safeguarding guidance.
Attached documents
About Ashford School
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Ashford School is one of the UK's leading coeducational independent day and boarding school, founded in 1898. Ashford has all the benefits of being a school of individual character, coupled with the security and support offered by membership of the United Learning group of independent schools and academies. We are proud that the School is able to provide a seamless learning journey for children from 3 months to 18 years on a beautiful campus in the heart of Kent.
Ashford School, East Hill:
Our Senior School and Bridge Nursery make up Ashford School’s beautiful 25-acre campus close to the centre of Ashford and surrounded by Kent countryside.
The Senior School occupies a site in a prominent position in the busy and growing commuter town of Ashford and is close to the International Station. It has on-site playing fields, floodlit Astroturf pitch, tennis and netball courts, as well as a recently opened Sports Centre complete with gyms, fitness suite and an indoor swimming pool. The school’s boarding houses are on campus. Further playing fields and sports facilities, including a second floodlit Astroturf pitch, can be found on a 40-acre site adjacent to the Prep School and are well used by both Senior and Prep students.
Ashford School, Great Chart:
Ashford Prep School is situated in the beautiful village of Great Chart on the outskirts of Ashford. The site also includes our Prep School Nursery and in 2018 our custom-designed Stables Nursery opened. The site includes beautiful playing fields, an indoor swimming pool, flood-lit Astroturf pitch, indoor gym and a well-appointed Sports Pavilion.
The early years provision has its own dedicated and well-resourced accommodation and staff.
Our students
Currently, approximately 500 students attend the Senior School (aged 11 to 18), including around 120 boarders. It is expected that the number of Senior School students will increase over the next ten years and developments are being planned to allow for this growth. Around 500 students also currently attend the Prep School and Nurseries (aged 0-11).
Our location
Ashford is extremely well connected. London St Pancras can be reached by train in 37 minutes thanks to Ashford International Station’s position on the High Speed Line (HS1). The Eurotunnel is a 15-minute drive away, and the Port of Dover can be reached in 30 minutes.
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