Founding Head - Queen Elizabeth's School, GIFT City, India

Applications are invited for the position of Founding Head of Queen Elizabeth’s School, GIFT City, India from September 2025 - ahead of the School’s planned opening in September 2026. This is a unique opportunity to lead the establishment of a new school inspired by the rich heritage and academic excellence of Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet (QE). Founded in 1573 by Queen Elizabeth I, QE has a long-standing tradition of nurturing confident, able, and responsible young men, prepared for the challenges of a fast-changing world.

QE, a state-funded grammar school, consistently ranks among the top schools nationally (across the state and independent sectors combined), promoting traditional values while embracing technological advancements and new perspectives. Pupils have benefited from a QE education for over 450 years, encouraged to pursue their intellectual interests through an extensive academic enrichment programme. For the first time, a UK state school will now establish schools overseas, partnering with Global Education (GEDU) to open three schools: two in India and one in the United Arab Emirates. In India, the schools will be located in GIFT City (Gandhinagar, Gujarat) and Gurugram, a satellite city of Delhi in the state of Haryana. 

The partnership with GEDU, a UK-based education business with a strong track record of growing education brands in the UK and overseas, will see the development of state-of-the-art academic and co-curricular provision. The facilities will accommodate all aspects of a full school life in a vibrant 13-18 co-educational setting, drawing the best from QE in a truly international setting. Benefiting from world class facilities, students will thrive academically and personally, both within and beyond the classroom, ensuring they are well-prepared to make a positive impact in the world.

The Founding Head will take up the post in September 2025 to oversee the pre-opening phase and launch of the School. This role is ideal for a pioneering and forward-looking leader who will set a clear vision for success while promoting the ethos and mission of a QE education. The successful candidate will have an appreciation of, and interest in, Indian culture, and a drive to bring the best of British education and innovative thinking to the School. They will possess the ability to form strong relationships with staff, pupils, parents, and the wider QE community; a commitment to high academic standards; and first-class communication skills. Strong commercial acumen and marketing skills will be critical.

The preferred method of application is online at:  www.odgers.com/92295 

CVs and cover letters should be sent by 09.00 GMT on Friday 1 November 2024. 

While initially recruiting for GIFT City, exceptional candidates may also be considered for the school in Gurugram.

Queen Elizabeth’s School, India is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) or equivalent.