Head of Seniors

Our mission is to develop academically successful, community minded, self-confident and well rounded individuals who are well prepared for their futures: Westbrook Hay is a thriving co-educational independent day school. Pupils enjoy a broad curriculum, achieve excellent results and have the all-important confidence to succeed. The school roll is currently at a record high of around 380 pupils and in September 2023 announced that it is growing its Senior Section of the school from Year 8 to Year 11 and will begin offering GCSEs.

Our ethos is to be a welcoming, inclusive community that provides the best for, and expects the best from us all: The school is well known locally for its warm and welcoming atmosphere. This is something we cherish and, even though we are potentially going to grow slightly in size, we do not want to lose this ethos. We believe our ethos separates us from larger competitor schools in our locality. This ethos is generated by the staff and their relationships with the pupils and parents. It has been regularly described as ‘friendly and professional’.

We are seeking a new Head of Seniors who can assist us with achieving our mission, thrive under this ethos and help lead the school through the next exciting phase of development. This is a new position and one that is an important part of the school's long term strategy.

Head of Seniors Vacancy

We are seeking a candidate who has confidence to lead the Senior Section (Years 7 to 11) of the school. Applicants are likely to have had extensive academic and pastoral experience with pupils up to the age of 16. The first Year 9 cohort will be in place for September 2025, coinciding with this appointment. In subsequent years the school will continue to grow to Year 11 for September 2027. We are looking for someone who can plan for and develop with this exciting expansion. 

Executive Group: The Head of Seniors will be welcomed into a recently restructured leadership team, led by Mark Brain, who has been the Head since September 2019. The Executive Group consists of the Head, Senior Deputy Head, Deputy Head (Academic), a recently appointed Deputy Head (Pastoral), Head of Pre-Prep, Head of Prep, Bursar and Director of Marketing & Admissions. The Executive Group is energetic, highly motivated and incredibly hardworking. The successful candidate will be expected to show the same qualities.

Senior Section: The Head of Seniors leads the Senior Section. Currently just Lower Seniors, Years 7 and 8, this section of the school consists of approximately 60 boys and girls. Under our long term strategy we will be adding Upper Seniors, Years 9 to 11, with the aim of having around 40 pupils in each year group. The section currently consists of Year 7-8 Form Tutors and Subject Specialists. The Head of Seniors will be assisted in leading this section of the school by the Seniors Academic Lead and Seniors Pastoral Lead. 

Teaching: This role will carry a greatly reduced teaching responsibility that will be based on timetable demands and the strengths of the successful candidate. There is no specific subject specialism required from the applicants, finding the right leader is the priority, but having experience to teach up to Year 11 is essential.

Salary and Benefits

This is a senior leadership position, the salary will be competitive and dependent on experience. What can we offer you?

• A fantastic team of staff to work with and be a part of
• A post currently pensionable under the Teachers’ Pension Scheme
• A school that is rated ‘Excellent’ by ISI with waiting lists in operation in a number of year groups
• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Enhanced Family Leave
• Free cooked lunches and refreshments throughout the day
• Membership of the Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunities to attend events organised by the Staff Social Committee
• Receipt of a 'Golden Ticket' for assisting with an overnight event, which enables staff to apply for a half day either in the morning or afternoon
• Small class sizes, a beautiful rural location and excellent facilities
• 50% fee remission is offered for children of school staff, subject to availability of places

Safeguarding

The safety and wellbeing of the children in School is paramount at all times. Staff are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact. Staff will adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection Policy at all times. If in the course of carrying out their duties, a member of staff becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School, it is their responsibility to report any concerns to the school’s Designated Senior Lead for Child Protection or the Head.

Online Searches

As part of the shortlisting process, the School will carry out an online search on shortlisted candidates as part of its due diligence. This may help to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and are publicly available online, that the School may want to explore with an applicant at interview. This forms part of the School’s wider safeguarding due diligence which aims to prevent and/or deter individuals who may be unsuitable to work with children from working in a school environment.

Equality and Diversity

Westbrook Hay is committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees and pupils. This means that employees are treated fairly, irrespective of sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, gender, marital status or other reason. Staff are expected to always comply with the provisions set out in law and school policies on equality and diversity.

Application and Recruitment Process

The deadline for the receipt of applications is 18:00 on Friday 8th November. To apply for this position, please complete an application via the TES website. Further information or any enquiries can be requested from our HR Officer, Mrs Rachel Franklin (rachel_franklin@westbrookhay.co.uk). 

It is anticipated that interviews will be held on the week beginning Monday 11th November. Although the programme is yet to be confirmed it will include an interview, the teaching of a lesson and other tasks. Candidates will be offered a tour of the school and lunch, if the timing is appropriate. Overnight accommodation is available on request. This appointment is for September 2025.