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- Tasks: Lead Oakhyrst Grange School, fostering a warm and engaging environment for children aged 3-11.
- Company: Oakhyrst Grange is a cherished independent prep school with a family atmosphere and strong community values.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary and fee remission for your children attending the school.
- Why this job: Join a school known for its special feeling and happy, confident children while shaping future education.
- Qualifications: Ideal candidates are ambitious leaders with strong communication skills and a strategic vision for education.
- Other info: Confidential discussions available; application deadline is March 7, 2025.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The successful candidate will be a first-class communicator, able to act as ambassador and professional advocate for the school, with strong personal credibility and the capacity to build relationships.
Start: September 2025
Oakhyrst Grange is a small and popular independent prep day school for up to 160 boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 11 years. It is a standalone school with its own freehold, not tied to any one senior school or group of schools. Originally founded in 1950 as a privately owned day school for boys, it became a charitable trust in 1973 and is now managed by the Board of Charity Trustee Governors of the Oakhyrst Grange School CIO.
The school provides a warm, family atmosphere where dedicated staff ensure that all the children are treated with respect and valued for their unique talents. The school has extensive grounds which provide the perfect setting for learning and recreation.
The Governors are inviting applications for the role of Head to succeed Mr. Alex Gear, who will be retiring after 16 years of dedicated service. He is leaving behind a school that is renowned for having a really “special feeling” and happy, engaged, and confident children.
The successful candidate is likely to be an ambitious Deputy Head or Senior Leader; a strong team player, who has the sensitivity to embrace the long-established values of the school coupled with the dynamism to lead it into an exciting future. They will be a creative thinker, able to use their awareness of the current and future education landscape to demonstrate a strategic vision for the school’s continued success in an evolving world.
The successful candidate will be offered a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience and fee remission for their children attending the school.
Potential candidates who would like a confidential initial conversation about this headship should contact one of the RSAcademics search consultants working on this project.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 10:00 am on Friday, 7th March 2025.
Applications should be made electronically to RSAcademics. To submit your application, please click on “Apply Now” on the right side and upload your documents according to the instructions provided.
You should submit the following (both in PDF format):
- a completed application form
- a covering letter addressed to Mrs. Pauline Clark, Chair of Governors. The letter should explain your reasons for applying.
If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Jonathan Barnes, Head of Operations (Leadership Appointments) at: Jonathan can also be reached by calling our Head Office on +44 (0)1858 383163.
- Oakhyrst Grange School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
- 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 the role are indicated in the candidate information.
- RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.
Preliminary interviews with RSAcademics will take place via MS Teams during the week commencing Monday, 10th March. Long list interviews will take place at the School during the week commencing Monday, 17th March. Short list interviews with the Governors’ panel will take place at the School during the week commencing Monday, 24th March.
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Head – Oakhyrst Grange School employer: RSAcademics Ltd
Contact Detail:
RSAcademics Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head – Oakhyrst Grange School
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the unique culture and values of Oakhyrst Grange School. Understanding the school's history and its commitment to a warm, family atmosphere will help you articulate how your leadership style aligns with their ethos during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current and former staff or governors of Oakhyrst Grange School. Building relationships with people connected to the school can provide you with valuable insights and potentially strong advocates for your candidacy.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your vision for the future of the school in light of current educational trends. Being able to demonstrate strategic thinking and creativity will set you apart as a candidate who can lead the school into an exciting future.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready for the interview process with RSAcademics by practicing common headship interview questions. This includes articulating your communication style and how you would act as an ambassador for the school, which is crucial for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head – Oakhyrst Grange School
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Head position at Oakhyrst Grange School. Understand the key responsibilities and qualities they are looking for in a candidate, such as strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships.
Craft Your Covering Letter: Write a compelling covering letter addressed to Mrs. Pauline Clark, Chair of Governors. Clearly explain your reasons for applying, highlighting your relevant experience and how it aligns with the school's values and vision.
Prepare Your Application Form: Complete the application form carefully, ensuring that all sections are filled out accurately. Pay attention to detail and make sure your responses reflect your qualifications and experiences relevant to the role.
Submit Your Application: Once you have prepared your documents, submit your application electronically by clicking on 'Apply Now' on the right side of the job listing. Ensure that all documents are in PDF format and double-check that everything is uploaded correctly before finalizing your submission.
How to prepare for a job interview at RSAcademics Ltd
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a candidate for the Head position, it's crucial to demonstrate your first-class communication abilities. Be prepared to articulate your vision for the school clearly and effectively, showcasing how you can act as an ambassador and advocate.
✨Emphasize Relationship Building
Highlight your experience in building strong relationships within the school community. Share specific examples of how you've fostered connections with staff, students, and parents, as this is key to maintaining the warm, family atmosphere at Oakhyrst Grange.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Vision
Prepare to discuss your strategic vision for the school's future. Reflect on current educational trends and how they might impact Oakhyrst Grange, and be ready to present innovative ideas that align with the school's long-established values.
✨Prepare for Safeguarding Questions
Given the school's commitment to safeguarding, be ready to discuss your understanding of child protection policies and your approach to ensuring the welfare of all students. This will show your alignment with the school's priorities and responsibilities.
