Head in Lingfield

Lingfield College is seeking an exceptional educational leader to become its next Head at a pivotal and exciting moment in the College’s development. Set within more than 40 acres of beautiful countryside on the Surrey, Kent and Sussex borders, Lingfield College is a thriving independent co-educational day school educating more than 900 pupils from Nursery to Sixth Form. The College has developed an outstanding reputation for combining academic ambition with exceptional pastoral care, an outstanding co-curricular programme and a distinctive all-through family ethos.

Originally founded in 1940 by the Sisters of Notre Dame, Lingfield has evolved significantly over recent decades while retaining the warmth, kindness and grounded culture that remain central to its identity. Under the leadership of the current Head, the College has undergone substantial transformation and professionalisation, including significant investment in sport, facilities, co-curricular provision and the wider pupil experience. Today, Lingfield is recognised as a welcoming and aspirational school which offers excellent value within the independent sector and attracts families from across Surrey, Kent and Sussex.

The Governors are now seeking a successor who can build on these strong foundations while leading the College confidently through the opportunities and challenges facing independent education. The next Head will inherit a financially strong school with a highly dedicated staff body, engaged parent community and clear strategic potential, but one which is also operating within an increasingly competitive and evolving marketplace.

This role requires an outstanding educationalist with strong commercial awareness and strategic capability. Governors are looking for a visible, modern and emotionally intelligent leader who will bring clarity of vision, strengthen the College’s identity and continue to foster a warm culture in which pupils and staff flourish. The successful candidate will understand the importance of balancing academic rigour with pastoral excellence and will be excited by the opportunity to shape the future direction of a proudly inclusive all-through school.

Candidates will need the credibility and leadership presence to inspire confidence across the entire community and will be capable of inspiring and driving change. They will be collaborative, approachable and values-led, with the ability to unite and empower colleagues while building strong relationships with pupils, parents and Governors alike. The successful candidate will also demonstrate an appreciation of the wider strategic issues affecting the sector, including pupil recruitment, market positioning, operational sustainability and the exploration of future partnership opportunities.

Lingfield College is proud of its distinctive culture: ambitious but unpretentious, nurturing yet aspirational, and deeply committed to the holistic development of every child. The next Head will play a defining role in shaping the next chapter of the College’s journey and ensuring it continues to thrive in an increasingly dynamic educational landscape. This is an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious and thoughtful leader to join a highly regarded independent school community with a strong sense of purpose and considerable potential for future growth.

Applications are welcomed from experienced Heads as well as outstanding senior leaders seeking their first headship, provided they can demonstrate the strategic, operational and cultural leadership required for this significant appointment.