Head

The Council of the Bradfield Group (Bradfield) seeks a new Head of Bradfield to succeed Dr Chris Stevens, who steps down in August 2025 after ten years of outstanding leadership.

Founded in 1850 and set amidst 280 acres of unspoilt Berkshire countryside, Bradfield enjoys a well-established reputation for being one of the country’s leading independent co-educational boarding and day schools. Bradfield has grown substantially over the last decade and currently provides an exceptional holistic education for 840 pupils aged 13 to 18 on an extensive and very well-equipped campus that, in addition to a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities, includes the 1,000-seater outdoor Greek Theatre.

In 2021, Bradfield College merged with St Andrew’s Prep School to form the Bradfield Group. This merger brought an additional 300 pupils aged 3 to 13 into the Group, and while both schools retain their independence, many pupils from St Andrew’s progress to Bradfield.

Bradfield’s mission is to provide a rounded, broad and relevant education that equips its pupils to thrive as global citizens – an ‘Education for Life’ fit for the 21st century. This is achieved through a bespoke curriculum in Year 9, an ongoing move away from GCSE in the Middle School with the adoption of School Directed Courses, and by offering the choice of the International Baccalaureate or A Levels in the Sixth Form. The high quality of the teaching and learning is exemplified by the newly opened Study Centre and the innovative educational technology programme developed at the school, Campus XR.

The outstanding academic environment is supported by a rich and varied co-curricular programme, which promotes the widest engagement by pupils. The quality of the pastoral care is excellent and is built around an inclusive boarding ethos; day pupils are fully integrated into the boarding houses, and all pupils are known and celebrated as individuals.

The Council is seeking an inspirational, imaginative leader: a strategic thinker with a bold educational vision and sense of purpose who will build on Bradfield’s current momentum and continue its upwards trajectory. The successful candidate will have experience in a leadership role with a strong educational organisation and will be an intellectually agile, values-rich and empathetic leader who engages with all members of the Bradfield community. A commitment to the boarding ethos of Bradfield is essential.

The candidate brief provides further important information about Bradfield, the role and the person specification. Potential applicants who would like to find out more about this exceptional opportunity are invited to contact one of the RSAcademics team working on this project for a confidential conversation:

• Michael Stephens, Head of Senior School Search: michaelstephens@rsacademics.com
• Michael Spens, Senior Advisor: michaelspens@rsacademics.com
• Claire Oulton, Head of Leadership Appointments: claireoulton@rsacademics.com

Further, detailed candidate information about the role, including information on how to apply, is available at www.rsacademics.com

Closing date: 10.00am (UK time) on Thursday 7th November 2024.

Bradfield College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & 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 information brochure.

RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.