Head

St John's School, Leatherhead; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

St John’s School Leatherhead is seeking an inspirational education leader to assume the role of Head, guiding a thriving 11–18 co-educational day and flexible boarding school. The candidate will build on strong academic outcomes and lead strategic development with warmth and sound judgement.

The next Head will work with an experienced Senior Leadership Team to sustain high expectations, drive the school’s agreed strategy, and ensure safeguarding and welfare are central to all activities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a head or senior leader in a school.
• Ability to lead strategic development and financial management.
• Commitment to safeguarding and pupil welfare.

Responsibilities

• Lead the school in partnership with a Senior Leadership Team.
• Drive academic excellence, personal development and community engagement.
• Oversee strategy, finance, and governance in a substantial independent school.

Job description

Head, St John’s School Leatherhead

St John's is a thriving and ambitious school with a strong sense of purpose and a clear view of what education should offer young people. Its next Head will inherit a flourishing community, strong academic outcomes and a clear direction for the future, together with the opportunity to lead the School through an important phase of its development.

A co-educational day and flexible boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, St John's educates just under 950 pupils on a beautiful 50-acre campus in Surrey, within easy reach of London. Recent years have seen continued growth in pupil numbers, alongside strong academic outcomes and investment in the wider pupil experience. More than 250 activities support pupils' interests and talents across sport, the performing arts, adventure and service, while the house system creates a strong sense of belonging in a school that proudly retains a boarding heart.

The School is continuing to strengthen how it prepares young people for life beyond school. The new Sixth Form centre and recently launched Quad Life Skills curriculum reflect a determination to combine academic success with the wider knowledge, skills and confidence pupils will need in an uncertain and changing world.

Following Alex Tate’s appointment to St George’s School, Canada, the Governing Council seeks a successor who will build on the School’s strengths and lead the continued delivery of its agreed strategy. The successful candidate will be an inspiring educational leader with warmth, sound judgement and the financial acumen and commercial understanding to lead a substantial independent school. Working with an experienced Senior Leadership Team, they will sustain high expectations and be a visible and approachable presence in the school community.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Head or an exceptional senior leader ready for a first headship to lead a successful and distinctive school where academic ambition, personal development and community are given equal importance.

RSAcademics is supporting the School with this appointment.

The closing date for applications is Monday 2 November 2026 at 10:00 (UK)

St John’s School Leatherhead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory safeguarding and pre-employment checks.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

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