Head of Futures

Catholic Independent Schools; Woldingham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Woldingham School invites applications for Head of Futures to lead the Woldingham NEXT Futures Programme, coordinating career education, higher education guidance, employability, and life skills across Years 7–13.

In partnership with pastoral, academic and wider curriculum teams, you will create an inclusive, coherent programme and shape opportunities for young women to navigate the evolving post-18 landscape, with a strong focus on professional development and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, coordination, and delivery of the Woldingham NEXT Futures Programme across Years 7–13.
• Collaborate with pastoral, academic and broader curriculum teams to integrate careers and futures learning into school life.
• Ensure safeguarding and inclusive practice, and drive professional development among staff.

Job description

The Head of Futures will lead the development, coordination, and delivery of Woldingham’s whole-school Futures Programme called Woldingham NEXT, encompassing careers education, higher education and post 18+ guidance, employability, and life skills development across the seven years of student experience (Years 7–13). In recognising the changing post 18 landscape the new Woldingham NEXT approach, where NEXT stands for Navigate, Explore, eXperience, Thrive will give you an exciting opportunity to shape the quality and extent of provision for our young women and open their eyes to the opportunities available to them.

Thus, this crucial role sits at the heart of Woldingham’s mission to shape the next generation of confident and courageous young women, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and character to flourish as they navigate a rapidly changing world.

Working closely with colleagues across pastoral, academic, and broader curriculum areas, the postholder will build an inclusive and coherent programme, appropriate to interests, aspirations and aptitudes of each student, that integrates careers and futures learning into every stage of school life.

Woldingham is a happy and successful Catholic boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18 and is firmly established as one of the top girls’ independent schools in the UK, outperforming many schools that are far more selective in their admissions process. Central to this achievement is Woldingham’s academic enrichment and extra-curricular programme, pastoral support and caring community. Close to London, yet in an outstandingly beautiful rural setting, Woldingham has a strong community and culture building on a proud heritage that stretches back 180 years. We are committed to an exciting future that is underpinned by fresh ideas, an innovative spirit and state-of-the-art facilities.

The Woldingham community is a rich one in which many different backgrounds and cultures are represented and many different languages spoken. This diversity is valued and respected and we are keen to welcome applications from all applicants that feel that they meet the requirements of the role, regardless of their background and culture. All job applicants will be considered solely on their ability to do the job.

Woldingham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS report will be required for the successful candidate.

Professional development and staff welfare

Our professional team of staff is Woldingham’s greatest asset, and we want to ensure that everyone is supported to work in an effective, enjoyable and fulfilling way. Staff Development is a high priority, with induction and mentoring programmes for Newly Qualified Teachers and new colleagues, plus an annual cycle of Personal Professional Development planning for all colleagues.

• Staff are welcome to use our range of outstanding facilities including the gym, squash and tennis courts and the swimming pool.
• Our Staffroom Committee organises regular social events, and individual members of staff have organised yoga classes and reflexology on site.