Warden

Warden

Salary: Depending on experience

Location: Cheltenham

This is a Permanent, Full Time vacancy 

The Trustees of The Dean Close Foundation seek to appoint a new Warden for September 2025, following the announcement of Mrs Emma Taylor’s decision to move on after eight years of outstanding leadership.  

The Dean Close Foundation is an independent, Christian foundation of schools and nurseries based in Cheltenham and Chepstow, in total educating some 1,800 children aged 0 to 18. The Warden serves as the overall leader of the Foundation, acts as the Chief Executive Officer and its most senior representative.

The Foundation consists of Dean Close Senior, Preparatory and Pre-Preparatory Schools, Dean Close Airthrie School and Dean Close St John’s School. The Foundation also has two subsidiary companies, Dean Close Services Ltd which is the commercial arm of the group, and Dean Close Nurseries Ltd which operates six nurseries offering 52 week day care. In total, the Foundation employs approximately 750 members of staff.

With a rich heritage dating back to 1886, the schools in The Dean Close Foundation welcome pupils with a broad range of abilities, aiming to give each and every one a well-rounded education, blending good academic performance with real achievement in their individually-discovered talents. Each school is led by a dedicated Head focusing on the education and development of the pupils in the Foundation’s care. The schools within the Foundation are known widely for their excellent pastoral support and for the strong sense of community of students and all members of staff. 

The Warden will take responsibility for the Foundation’s strategic and commercial progress and for the continuing excellence of what the Foundation offers its pupils at every stage of their development. The successful candidate will demonstrate full alignment with the Foundation’s educational aims and values and be able to clearly articulate these within a contemporary and compelling vision. He or she will be genuinely strategic, commercially-minded and have first-class communication skills alongside a proven ability to engage with, inspire and lead the whole Dean Close community with a collaborative and empowering approach. He or she will have a Christian faith which informs their leadership and the ability to lead collaboratively with a team of experienced and committed Heads.

A candidate brief including details of how to apply can be downloaded from www.odgers.com/92032.  

Application forms, CVs and covering letters should be submitted by the closing date of 9:00am BST on Friday 4 October. 

The Foundation

Dean Close Foundation is a growing, vibrant and diverse family of independent schools and nurseries, uniting around a shared vision and set of values. These spring from the origins of Dean Close School, which was founded in 1886 in memory of Dean Francis Close, Rector of Cheltenham and educational philanthropist. The Christian ethos of that original school continues today where the aim is that every child should be given the opportunities to flourish, underpinned by its core values of courage, contribution and love which are the guiding principles behind its educational vision. The Foundation currently has five schools and six nurseries within its group, creating a strong community that can share best practice, resources and a secure future.

Dean Close Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.