Head

An exceptional headship opportunity at one of the country’s happiest, friendliest, liveliest and most successful prep schools. 

Situated a few miles inside the M25, Aberdour is a co-ed day school with just over 360 pupils aged 2 to 11. Its aim is “finding the brilliance in every child” and it is astonishingly good at doing this. As a result, the children achieve great things both in and out of the classroom, parents are delighted and very supportive, and the school is full and financially very solid.  

Aberdour is all about the individual child and its ethos is one of happiness, fun and achievement, with lots of encouragement and very little stress. The key to the school’s success is its award-winning PAL system (Personalised Achievement Learning), which offers huge breadth as well as specialist management of each child’s progress. Facilities and resources are excellent, the Innovation Centre has been at the forefront of advanced technology for nearly ten years, and a new £2m Pre-Prep opened last September. But, first and foremost, Aberdour is a happy place where children do well because they are happy and stimulated.  

The much-loved Head, Simon Collins, is retiring in December after more than 18 years in post, during which he has transformed the school from ordinary to very special. We are now seeking someone equally special who, in the words of the Chairman of Governors, will build on the school’s strengths with enhancements not demolition, and evolution not radical change.

The new Head will be an enthusiast who inspires and leads with a smile and by being seen as well as heard from. Passionate about giving each and every child the best possible start, you will have solid experience, either as a Head or with strong senior level exposure.  You will be someone who takes a genuine interest in everyone and everything, and someone who can be the heart and soul of the school and its ethos. You’ll run a happy ship as well as an effective one, and you’ll be able to say yes with enthusiasm and no nicely.

In return, Aberdour will give you a fantastic headship with immense personal and professional satisfaction.  An extremely attractive reward package is on offer, including an excellent salary, a comfortable 4-bedroom house, and a range of other benefits. 

Full details and an application form can be downloaded from this page or from the school website, www.aberdourschool.co.uk, where further information is available.  

Our advising consultant, Simon Shneerson, will be happy to answer questions and to offer impartial and confidential advice before you apply. His telephone number is 07986 100237 or he can be e-mailed at headhunter@btinternet.com.

The closing date is Monday, 25th March, but earlier applications will be very helpful.

Aberdour School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants will be subject to child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the DBS.