Senior Deputy Head, Crosfields School in Reading

Crosfields School seeks an exceptional and values‑led senior leader to join the school as Senior Deputy Head, working in close partnership with the Head and Senior Leadership Team. This is a pivotal whole‑school role, combining strategic leadership with direct operational and pastoral responsibility. The successful candidate will have oversight of pupils in Years 7 to 11, lead the school’s pastoral strategy, and play a central role in shaping the culture, direction and day‑to‑day life of the school.

As Designated Safeguarding Lead, the Senior Deputy Head will set the highest standards in safeguarding practice and pupil wellbeing, supported by a strong and experienced team. The Senior Deputy Head deputises for the Head, exercising delegated authority and providing confident leadership when required. The role offers significant influence across strategy, policy, staff development, governance engagement and school improvement, alongside close involvement with pupils, parents and colleagues.

Crosfields is embarking on an exciting phase of development, with plans to open a Sixth Form in 2028. The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping and leading this strategic expansion, contributing to vision‑setting, planning and implementation, and ensuring that the Sixth Form is fully aligned with the school’s ethos, academic ambition and pastoral values.

Crosfields is seeking a leader who is visible, principled and warm, with the judgement and resilience to manage complexity and the empathy to place relationships at the heart of leadership. The successful candidate will bring deep pastoral expertise, a strong understanding of adolescent development, and a proven track‑record of senior leadership in a school setting. This is an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious and thoughtful leader to make a lasting impact within a forward‑looking, values‑driven school community, and to help shape the next stage of its evolution.

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.

The deadline for receipt of applications is Thursday 22 January 2026 at 10.00am (UK time). Applications should be made electronically to RSAcademics. To submit your application, please click on “Apply Now” and upload your documents according to the instructions provided.

Application Requirements:

• a completed application form
• a covering letter addressed to Mrs Caroline Townshend, Head. The letter should explain your reasons for applying.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Laura Cave, Project Coordinator (Appointments) at applications@rsacademics.com. Laura can also be reached by calling our Head Office on +44 (0)204 6269 791.

Please note that RSAcademics' offices will be closed from 1.00pm on Christmas Eve through to 9.00am on Friday 2nd January.

N.B. Safer recruitment checks will be made at all stages in the recruitment process. Crosfields School is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and encourages applications from suitably qualified individuals regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partners. Crosfields School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post. The appointment is subject to satisfactory pre‑employment checks in accordance with the relevant statutory guidance, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, satisfactory references, proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK, a satisfactory medical report and proof of qualifications.