Head

Ackworth has always been a co-educational school, initially as boarding only and now for day and boarding. For over 240 years, we have maintained a passion for teaching and learning. We are keen to promote our traditions and family values, but equally, our innovative approach to co-education.

Ackworth is a dynamic and forward-thinking school. We strive to develop resilient individuals who not only think creatively, but also act ethically and with responsibility. We encourage our students to express themselves with confidence, to embody the Quaker value of speaking respectfully to others, but also in a way that is true to themselves and their beliefs.

Located in a beautiful rural setting in Yorkshire, we offer broad educational opportunities from nursery age to sixth form, for day pupils and boarders. We are an attractive school to international students where they can easily settle into life in the UK. Our supportive approach to pupils, where English is not their first language, is equalled by the welcoming nature of our UK based pupils.

As a relatively small school, around 500 pupils in total, we enable pupils and staff to immediately become part of our community and we hope that, if this role is something that resonates with your skills and values, you will become key part of the Ackworth School community when our current Head retires in April 2024.

Our recruitment brochure provides more detailed information about the school and the role. The welcome from the Clerk to our governing body, David Bunney, should provide you with a sense of our ethos.

Please take the time to find out all you can about working at Ackworth. This is the time to decide whether Ackworth is for you. Our thorough recruitment process will help us decide whether you are for us. Making this match will ensure the future success of the school. 

Interested candidates are welcome to contact the school to arrange a confidential discussion. The process is being managed in-house by the Head of HR, Joanne Colley and she can be contacted as follows:

Joanne.Colley@ackworthschool.com / 01977 233600

Closing date: Wednesday 12th April 2023 at 10.00am UK time

Candidates are required to submit the following in pdf format.

·      A completed Ackworth School application form that can be downloaded from the school’s website

·      A covering letter, preferably of no more than two pages, addressed to David Bunney, Clerk to the Committee. The letter should set out your reasons for applying for the role and what attracts you to being part of the Ackworth School community. In the letter you should address the requirements of the role and draw on the relevance of your experience and skills to illustrate your suitability, paying particular attention to the person specification and overall job description. 

Applications should be submitted electronically to the school to jobs@ackworthschool.com. If you have any questions about submitting your application, you can contact Joanne Colley whose details are above. 

Our process is as follows:

·      All applications will be acknowledged, on receipt, by email. If you have not received this within two working days of submission, please email Joanne Colley. 

·      The panel will meet to shortlist after the closing date. Longlist interviews will take place on the 27th April 2023

·      Shortlist interviews will take place with the panel on 12th/13th May 2023. 

Applicants should read carefully the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy. Our recruitment privacy notice is also available on our website within “Working For Us”. 

Ackworth School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all applicants will undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS and Barred list check with Disclosure and Barring Service. Applicants should also be in sympathy with the School’s Quaker ethos.