Rector

THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF PETERHOUSE INVITES

APPLICATIONS FOR THE POST OF

RECTOR

TO SUCCEED MR JON TRAFFORD IN JANUARY 2027

THE SCHOOL

Peterhouse is a leading independent group of boarding schools in Zimbabwe, Peterhouse Boys, Peterhouse Girls, and Springvale House, a preparatory school. The schools are located on two attractive sites, with staff housing, playing fields, and parkland, near Marondera some 80 kilometres east of Harare. There are 1,160 pupils - 510 senior boys (aged 13-18), 440 senior girls (aged 13-18), and 210 junior boys and girls at Springvale House (aged 7-12). The schools have been multi-racial since 1964. The group employs 125 teaching staff most of whom are resident at the schools. Peterhouse is a full member of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) based in the UK and of the Association of Trust Schools (ATS) in Zimbabwe.

Peterhouse is an Anglican foundation, which is happy to welcome pupils of other denominations, and the chapels on each site are at the centre of school life. Peterhouse aspires to the highest academic standards thanks to well qualified and experienced teaching staff, a recent and well-funded educational resources centre, modern IT facilities, and accreditation as a Cambridge International Examination Centre. The schools offer a wide range of competitive team sports and have an impressive record of participation in regional and international events. There is a long tradition of music and drama, and a variety of clubs and societies. Outdoor activities include wildlife training on the estate and regular expeditions to the Chimanimani Mountains. The schools have well laid out and up to date educational and sporting facilities to support the remarkable breadth of opportunities which they offer.

THE APPOINTMENT

The Rector is responsible for the whole group of schools. He is the headmaster of Peterhouse Boys and the Head teachers of Peterhouse Girls, and Springvale House are accountable to him. The Business Director, who is responsible to the Board for operations and finance, completes the senior management team.

Applicants will normally be practising members of the Anglican Church, though exceptional candidates of other denominations are welcome to apply. They should be graduate educators with teaching experience in senior independent schools with HMC, or similar traditions in southern Africa.

THE CANDIDATE

We are looking for an energetic, experienced, and visionary educational leader to take Peterhouse forward to the next stage of its development following the retirement of Jon Trafford.

• Successful candidates should show personal commitment to academic and teaching excellence to lead, motivate, and inspire the school community. Thay will demonstrate innovation, natural authority, and ability to lead by example, earning the respect of pupils, staff, and parents alike.

• The candidate should have strategic vision, energy, and an understanding of marketing to take the schools forward to the next phase of their development based on the schools’ progress and outstanding reputation amid the complexities of modern Zimbabwe.

• The candidate should understand the threats of social change and of the use of social media to traditional boarding school numbers, similar in Zimbabwe to those elsewhere, recognising the need for highly visible leadership, motivation, and pastoral care.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter highlighting their suitability and addressing the points described above and a brief curriculum vitae to the Selection Secretary at selectionsecretary@peterhouse.co.zw from whom further particulars may be obtained.

The closing date for applications is 30 December 2025. All applications will be acknowledged by e mail. The Selection Secretary will notify short-listed candidates who will be invited for the final interviews in January 2026.

Further information about Peterhouse can be found on the school’s website: https://peterhousegroup.co.zw