Head of School

Cognita Schools; Hampstead; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Alleyn's Hampstead Nursery & Junior School, part of the Alleyn’s Schools Group in partnership with Cognita, seeks an exceptional Head of School. The appointee will provide strategic leadership, set high standards for teaching and pupil outcomes, and act as ambassador for students, staff and parents.

You will lead the Senior Leadership Team and ensure safeguarding, wellbeing and community partnerships are central to the school's mission.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of teaching excellence and strategic leadership.
• Experience in school improvement and safeguarding.
• Strong communication and relationship-building with pupils, staff and families.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Nursery and Junior School.
• Champion safeguarding, wellbeing and pupil achievement.
• Oversee financial and operational performance and drive school growth.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Teaching excellence

Communication skills

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

Alleyn's Hampstead Nursery & Junior School

Cognita has formed a partnership with the Alleyn’s Schools Group to establish two leading independent day schools in north London. This pioneering collaboration brings together one of the world’s most influential education groups, Cognita, which educates over 100,000 students across 20 countries, and Alleyn’s, south London’s finest co-educational day school and Co-educational School of the Year 2025.

As part of this partnership, North Bridge House Regent’s Park Prep and North Bridge House Hampstead have become Alleyn’s schools. Alleyn’s Regent’s Park successfully transitioned in September 2025, welcoming pupils aged 3–11. Alleyn’s Hampstead followed in September 2026, offering an exceptional education for pupils aged 2–18 and bringing the distinctive Alleyn’s ethos of academic excellence, creativity, and care to north London.

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional and inspiring school leader to serve as Head of School, providing strategic leadership and acting as a trusted ambassador for students, staff and parents. Reporting to the Head of Alleyn’s Hampstead and leading the Senior Leadership Team, you will be responsible for driving educational excellence, school improvement and sustainable growth across the Nursery and Junior School. This role combines academic leadership with commercial accountability, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality educational experience aligned to both Cognita and the Alleyn’s Schools Group vision and standards. The successful candidate will champion safeguarding, wellbeing and pupil achievement, develop and retain high-performing teams, oversee financial and operational performance, and build strong partnerships with families, the wider community and the Cognita network to support the school's continued success.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking an accomplished and values-driven educational leader with a strong track record of teaching excellence, strategic leadership and school improvement. The successful candidate will hold Qualified Teacher Status and possess a deep understanding of curriculum development, safeguarding and the independent schools sector. They will combine educational expertise with strong commercial awareness, enabling them to balance exceptional pupil outcomes with sustainable school performance. Warm, approachable and highly credible, they will be an inspiring frontline leader who builds strong relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues, while fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture. With excellent communication skills, resilience and integrity, they will be confident in making difficult decisions, managing competing priorities and leading change. Above all, they will be passionate about developing others, building leadership capacity and creating a thriving school community where both pupils and staff can flourish.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.

Cognita Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website. Details on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is included within the Application Guidance.

Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.