High Master – The Manchester Grammar School

This wonderful opportunity will suit a leader who is strategically creative and flexible, forward-thinking and innovative, skilled in the art of the management of change, but also a comfortable team player.

The Manchester Grammar School (MGS) is a vibrant, world-class academic school, providing an outstanding meritocratic education for 1640 boys aged 7-18 in the North West region. The School was founded by Hugh Oldham, Bishop of Exeter in 1515, to provide ‘godliness and good learning’ to the poor boys of Manchester. It became a direct grant grammar school in 1944 and reverted to independent status in 1976. It has worked tirelessly to grow the life changing bursary scheme to which it is passionately committed. MGS’s core mission remains to educate the brightest young men in the region, regardless of their social, cultural, religious and financial background. Public examination results are consistently outstanding and pupils go on to degree courses at the world’s leading universities. The most recent ISI Inspection Report was excellent in all areas and identified support for SEND pupils and the co-curricular offering as significant strengths.

This vacancy will arise upon the retirement in August 2027 of the current High Master, Dr Martin Boulton, who has led the School with distinction and ambition since 2013, prioritising the development of its intellectual life and the value of its all-round educational offering, nurturing its people and building its local and national profile. It is a tremendous opportunity for an outstanding individual to lead this truly inspiring community.

The new High Master of MGS will be somebody who clearly understands the importance of the School remaining at the forefront of educational practice, and being recognised locally and nationally as one of the country’s leading academic schools. The Governors are seeking somebody who can demonstrate successful strategic experience in senior leadership at Head or Deputy Head level, who is approachable and down to earth, and who has intellectual gravitas and creative vision. The new High Master will be encouraged to engage in honest and robust debate with the Governing Body. The new High Master will have the opportunity to demonstrate their soft skills. They will be naturally at ease with all stakeholders and will embrace and embody MGS’s core values of scholarship, individuality, kindness, resilience and service. They must be able to communicate impressively in person and in writing. They will be acutely aware of how the educational and wider world is changing, having the willingness and ability to be strategically decisive and to drive things forwards. A strong belief in an academic environment is vital, as is a commitment to promote and protect the wellbeing of boys in the challenging maelstrom of modern youth culture.

A generous salary will be offered to reflect the importance of the post and the experience and qualifications of the appointee. Other benefits include membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, health insurance and fee remission for the High Master’s 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 this application is 10.00 am (UK time) on Monday 16 March 2026. Applications should be made electronically to RSAcademics. To submit your application, please click on “Apply Now” and upload your documents according to the instructions on the RSAcademics website. You should submit the following (both in PDF format): a completed application form and a covering letter addressed to Mrs Clare Bolton, Chair of Governors. The letter should explain your reasons for applying and your suitability for the role.

If you have questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Jonathan Barnes, Head of Operations (Leadership Appointments) at applications@rsacademics.com. He can also be reached at our Head Office on +44 (0) 204 6269 791.

The Manchester Grammar 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.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 10.00 am on Monday 16 March 2026. Preliminary Interviews will take place with RSAcademics on Thursday 19, Friday 20 and Monday 23 March 2026 via Teams. Long List interviews with the Governors’ selection panel will take place in Manchester on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 April 2026. Short-List candidates will be invited to visit the School during the week commencing Monday 27 April 2026. Short List interviews with the Governing Body will take place in Manchester on Thursday 7 May 2026.