Head
Francis Holland School, Sloane Square
Westminster
- Expired
- Salary:
- Competitive
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September 2023/January 2024
- Apply by:
- 6 February 2023
Job overview
The Council of the Francis Holland Schools Trust invites applications for the post of Head to succeed Mrs Lucy Elphinstone following 11 years of outstanding service at Francis Holland Sloane Square.
Founded in 1881, Francis Holland School Sloane Square enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the UK’s leading independent schools. The School recently received a prestigious accolade from The Sunday Times as ‘Independent School of The Year’ (2022) and was ranked 13th in their list of the Top 100 Independent Schools.
The School is set in the heart of London, in a quiet enclave in Belgravia, but with the sights and attractions of this iconic world city on the doorstep.
The School’s vision to provide an inspiring and creative education in a community which empowers girls to become the leaders and game changers of tomorrow reflects the School’s focus not only on the importance of intellectual rigour but also on mindfulness and the pastoral care of its pupils. The School’s ethos and values of love and compassion are rooted in its Church of England foundation, and it is proud of its reputation for diversity and inclusion.
The successful candidate will work closely with its sister school, of a similar size in Regent’s Park, which includes both a Senior School and Sixth Form on its campus. Both the Schools benefit from certain shared central services, including a shared Bursary, as well as oversight by one Council. The Head will sit on an Executive Committee for the Trust Schools and will also liaise formally with the Head of Francis Holland, Regent’s Park at a strategic level in relation to all matters to be considered by Council and will report to the Governing Body (Council).
The next Head of Francis Holland Sloane Square will have the drive, strategic vision, and ambition to lead this prestigious school in the next phase of its exciting development as it seeks to build upon and expand its reputation and standing as a beacon of light for girls’ education in London.
Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics in the first instance to arrange an informal and confidential discussion about the role:
- Isabel Patchett, Search Consultant: isabelpatchett@rsacademics.com
- Jenny Aviss, Senior Advisor: jennyaviss@rsacademics.com
Further information about the role and details of how to apply can be found on RSAcademics’ website at www.rsacademics.com.
Closing date: 10.00 am on Monday 6th February 2023
RSAcademics is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.
Francis Holland Schools Trust is an equal opportunities employer committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
The safeguarding responsibilities of this post are detailed in the candidate information brochure.
About Francis Holland School, Sloane Square
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Francis Holland, Sloane Square, is an independent, selective, Church of England school for girls aged 11-18 with Sixth Form situated in Belgravia. There are currently over 570 students on roll. The School was named Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year 2023 and is in the top 13 independent schools nationally for GCSE and A Level results, and in the top 8 in London.
Francis Holland, Sloane Square was founded in 1881 by Reverend Canon Francis Holland. Three years later, the School moved to its current site on Graham Terrace, where it has since expanded to include a Junior School, the RIBA award-winning Centre for Creative Learning, a Centre for Creative Enterprise, and a transformational Sixth Form Centre, the Old School House, which increased the school site’s footprint by 15% in 2021 (909sqm). In September 2024, the Junior School relocated to a new location just off the King’s Road and became Francis Holland Preparatory School. The School is governed by the Francis Holland Schools Trust along with its sister school Francis Holland, Regent’s Park and Francis Holland Preparatory School.
Head
Mrs Alexandra Haydon (MSc Oxon, BSc Durham)
Values and Vision
Francis Holland is rooted in its Christian ethos, but welcomes girls of all nationalities and faiths. The School’s vision is to provide an inspiring, holistic education in a community which empowers girls to become the leaders, thinkers, innovators, designers, entrepreneurs, and game-changers of tomorrow. We offer an outstanding experience of learning and culture by putting curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving at the heart of our approach to learning as well as encouraging entrepreneurship through our double award-winning Creative Enterprise programme. Sixth Formers enjoy abundant leadership and entrepreneurship opportunities within the Old School House, a state-of-the-art learning environment which offers the perfect transition from school to university-style learning and the world of work beyond.
The School’s public exam results (75% of GCSE grades were A* in 2023, while 62% of A Level results were A*-A and 29% A* in 2023), have been on a dramatic upward trajectory over the last five years and we are now rank amongst the top independent schools nationally. However, what really sets FHS apart is our exceptional pastoral care and strong sense of community. Girls are robust and resilient because they feel supported and confident in taking risks in order to reach their full potential. Infused with passion, purpose and a sense of joy, FHS is a school where children flourish, often achieving far more than they could ever have imagined.
ISI Report
Francis Holland was reported as ‘Excellent’ in all areas of Educational Quality and met all Regulatory Compliance Inspection standards (ISI Inspection Report, April 2017).
The quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent.
· Girls entering GCSE, IGCSE and A Level examinations achieve high grades that are above average for pupils of similar ability. Girls make strong progress at all ages
· The school is notably successful in fulfilling its aims to provide an education which promotes independent thought, enthusiasm for learning and leadership skills
· Girls show very high levels of skill, knowledge and understanding in all areas of learning and in their extra-curricular activities
· Girls demonstrate outstanding attitudes to learning throughout the school
· Many girls achieve very high standards in extra-curricular activities, particularly in ballet, sport, music, drama, and debating
The quality of the pupils’ personal development is excellent.
· Girls develop outstanding self-confidence and strong social skills
· Girls have excellent spiritual understanding and a well-developed sense of moral integrity. They treat each other and staff with kindness and consideration
· Girls have a very strong sense of community and are proud of their school. They are respectful of the beliefs and heritage of others, and their behaviour is exemplary
· Girls fully understand the need to establish balance in activities to stay physically and mentally healthy
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