Head at Cokethorpe School, Oxfordshire

Cokethorpe School, Oxfordshire

HMC and IAPS

Required for September 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter).

Cokethorpe is an independent day school for boys and girls aged four to eighteen, set in 150 acres of glorious Oxfordshire parkland just two miles south of Witney and ten miles to the west of Oxford.

The School is unique in many ways; not only is our setting unsurpassed but we are also one of the only co-educational schools in Oxfordshire with both Prep and Senior Schools on the same site.

At the heart of our school is the belief that pupils dig deeper, reach higher and stretch further when they feel the embrace of supportive peers and the oversight of enthusiastic and experienced teachers who know when and how to challenge them. The sense of community is fostered by the close-knit House system where young people develop a sense of belonging; it is forged around the close working relationship of the small groups, where teachers engage the intellect, encourage students to grapple with ideas, and teach lifelong respect and humility.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a happy, strong and vibrant community, in which individuals are generous of spirit, inspire friendship and support one another. Our teachers, pupils and parents value the School’s small class sizes and emphasis on delivering liberal educational principles in an environment that celebrates individual achievements equally, whatever their interests and passions might be.

The vacancy arises as Damian Ettinger retires after more than twenty years of outstanding service, in which he has provided dynamic and forward-thinking leadership. The Board of Governors are now seeking an equally inspiring individual who can quickly win the confidence and trust of all members of the school community. The new Head will need to be creative and have the strategic ability to deliver an ambitious and innovative vision for Cokethorpe which navigates the challenges of the independent school landscape skilfully and exploits the opportunities for continuous development and improvement. Responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the school across the 4-18 age range, the new Head will ensure that Cokethorpe continues to be known for an excellent educational experience supported by outstanding levels of safeguarding, pastoral care, and enrichment opportunities.

Already in Headship or in a senior leadership position, you will be a proven, empathetic and collaborative leader committed to sustaining an environment where you will empower others and inspire a talented team to even greater success. You must be a natural networker with the inter-personal skills to act as a compelling ambassador for Cokethorpe in a range of internal and external settings and to articulate what differentiates Cokethorpe from its competitors. The Head leads on marketing, recruitment and retention and keeps a relentless focus on pupil numbers. Strong commercial instincts and business acumen will also be essential to develop the “business” side of the School and in seeking alternative sources of income. 

For further information about the role and an application pack please visit: www.rsacademics.com

Potential candidates wishing to discuss this post are invited to arrange a confidential discussion with one of the consultants handling this appointment:

Camilla Oulton, Search Consultant – camillaoulton@rsacademics.com

Peter Bodkin, Senior Advisor - peterbodkin@rsacademics.com 

Cokethorpe School is an equal opportunities employer committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect 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 briefing pack and Cokethorpe School’s child protection policy can be found on the School’s website and alongside the application form on RSAcademics’ website