Head

Culford School is regarded amongst the best boarding schools in the country. Situated in 480 acres of Grade I listed park in Suffolk, Culford provides a high-quality through-school experience for over 800 children aged 1 to 18. Culford is a member of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust (MIST), with a distinctive Methodist ethos that emphasises diversity and inclusivity and ensures individuals are valued, good order is respected, relationships are cherished, and excellence is pursued in its widest sense. In a world in which change is the only constant, Culford develops children into flexible, innovative, dynamic and resilient young adults with the leadership skills and moral values to embrace life’s challenges and opportunities.

The Governors seek a creative and collaborative educationalist to partner with the Board and Senior Leadership Team in building and delivering an ambitious vision for the next ten years. The new Head will ensure that Culford continues to develop its existing strengths in sports, dance, and the performing arts as well as strengthening further the academic provision in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

The appointed candidate will be an outstanding leader and an original thinker with the strategic abilities to chart an ambitious and exciting future for Culford. An inspiring communicator, they will possess the warmth and gravitas to engage all parts of the Culford community and operate as a compelling ambassador for the School externally. An understanding of the demands of leadership in a boarding environment, ideally but not necessarily gained through experience, is required and a genuine resonance with the School’s distinctive Methodist ethos is essential.

To download the appointment details for this role, including information on how to apply, please visit: https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies/3816/head/ quoting reference number 6822.

The closing date for applications is 08.30 BST on Thursday 12th October 2023.

Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate must be willing to undergo an enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service. Successful applicants must also complete mandatory pre-employment training in safeguarding and other key areas before commencement of employment.

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As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds.

Culford School puts at the centre of its operation the safeguarding of the pupils of the school and encourage a culture of challenge to ensure the risks of harm to the pupils’ individual welfare are minimised.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants will undergo appropriate child protection screening; pre-employment checks will be carried out; references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.

We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. If shortlisted, you are required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account.

If you are unsure whether you need to disclose criminal information, you should seek legal advice or you may wish to contact Nacro or Unlock for impartial advice. There is more information on filtering and protected offences on the Ministry of Justice website.