Head of Lower Prep

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for an outstanding educational leader to join one of the world’s leading co-educational HMC schools. With The Grange’s 100th anniversary on the horizon, the Head of Lower Prep will be an important contributor to the Senior Management Team as the School builds an increasingly dynamic, stimulating and inclusive learning community. The Lower Prep is a large and important section of The Grange, with some 650 students aged 4 to 8.

The Grange School was founded in 1928 in Santiago de Chile by the Chilean-British cricketer John A. S. Jackson C.B.E. It began with only 12 pupils but today it is oversubscribed and educates over 2,000 pupils from the ages of 4 to 18. The philosophy of The Grange is based on British independent school traditions. It seeks to provide a high-quality, broad and balanced education producing highly-skilled, responsible and upstanding citizens of the world. 

The School’s vibrant Lower Prep section educates children from Pre-Kinder to 2nd Basico. Through small class sizes and an engaging curriculum, the Lower Prep aims to create a warm and welcoming environment that recognises every child as an individual with their own unique potential. Pupils progress to study an adapted curriculum model based upon the National Curriculum of England in the Upper Prep followed by a blended curriculum of IGCSE and A-Levels combined with the Chilean national curriculum in the Senior School. They leave The Grange fluent in both English and Spanish. Around a quarter of pupils go on to study abroad at university directly and many more complete their undergraduate studies at the top Chilean universities before completing further studies abroad.

The School warmly welcomes applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, however applications are particularly encouraged from candidates with significant senior leadership experience of a pre-prep setting gained in a large, high-performing UK school or British-based international school. As part of a collaborative Senior Management Team, the Head of Lower Prep will inspire in both pupils and staff a love of learning and strive for the School to be a beacon of excellence for modern pedagogical practice. They must be a team player, child-centric and comfortable managing a wide range of stakeholders. Some knowledge of Spanish is desirable and a willingness to learn the language, as well as a commitment to embrace Chilean culture, is essential.

The Grange School is located in the east of Santiago, Chile’s capital city, adjacent to the Prince of Wales Country Club. Santiago boasts a host of historical, artistic and culinary activities and is also perfectly positioned to enjoy the rest of Chile and South America. From Santiago both mountains and beaches are easily accessible in roughly one hour, and trips further afield could feature the deserts in the north or the glaciers of Patagonia in the south. It is possible to enjoy a very high quality of life in Santiago, with excellent healthcare, transportation links and other services. Chileans are extremely welcoming and the Head of Lower Prep will find themselves quickly at home in this community.

A candidate brief is available from www.odgers.com/86201. The preferred starting date for this position is March 2023 (the start of the academic year in Chile) or possibly July 2023 for a truly outstanding candidate.

CVs and covering letters should be sent by the closing date, 09:00 BST on Monday 4 July, to Peter Lawrence at Odgers Berndtson quoting reference PWL/86201

The Grange School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers.