Head – Queen Anne’s School, Caversham

RS Academics Ltd.; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Queen Anne’s School in Berkshire seeks an outstanding Head to start September 2027 (or earlier). The successful candidate will lead with strategic vision, strong educational credibility, and commercial awareness while upholding warmth and humility as a visible, approachable ambassador for girls’ education.

The Head will work closely with Governors, staff, pupils and families, shaping the school’s evolution within a thriving independent sector and in partnership with the United Westminster & Grey

Qualifications

• Strong track record of senior leadership.
• Inspire and develop talented teams.
• Commitment to educational excellence and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the next chapter of Queen Anne’s development.
• Inspire staff, pupils and parents through strategic leadership.
• Work with Governors and the Foundation to ensure long-term success.

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategic thinking

Commercial awareness

Safeguarding

Job description

The Governors of Queen Anne’s School seek to appoint an outstanding Head for September 2027 (or earlier).

Queen Anne’s is a thriving independent day and boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18 in Caversham, Berkshire. Founded in 1894 and part of the United Westminster & Grey Coat Foundation, Queen Anne’s has a distinctive reputation for combining academic ambition, exceptional pastoral care and a deep belief in the transformative power of girls’ education. Guided by its values of Kind Hearts, Fierce Minds, Strong Spirits , the School provides an education that nurtures intellectual confidence, resilience, compassion and character. Girls are known as individuals, relationships sit at the heart of school life, and every pupil is encouraged to discover her strengths, develop her voice and pursue her ambitions without limitation.

This appointment comes at an exciting moment in the School’s history. Queen Anne’s enjoys a strong reputation, committed staff, impressive facilities, healthy educational outcomes and a clear sense of purpose. The next Head will inherit a school with momentum and the opportunity to lead its evolution in response to a rapidly changing educational landscape. Working closely with Governors, staff, pupils, parents and the Foundation, the successful candidate will shape and deliver the next chapter of Queen Anne’s development while remaining true to the values and culture that define the school.

Queen Anne’s occupies a distinctive place within the independent school sector. Set within a beautiful 35-acre campus and home to around 280 girls, it combines the opportunities and facilities of a senior school with the warmth, personal knowledge and sense of belonging that characterise a close-knit community. Academic excellence sits comfortably alongside creativity, leadership, wellbeing and personal growth, creating an environment in which pupils are encouraged not only to achieve highly, but also to understand who they are and what they might contribute to the world beyond school. Boarding remains a valued and distinctive part of the school’s identity, enriching community life while providing flexibility for modern families.

The Governors are seeking an outstanding educational leader who combines strategic vision, educational credibility and commercial awareness with warmth, authenticity and humility. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of senior leadership, the ability to inspire and develop talented teams, and a deep commitment to educational excellence and safeguarding. They will be a visible and approachable presence throughout the school, a compelling ambassador for girls’ education and an effective advocate for Queen Anne’s within an increasingly competitive market. Equally important will be their ability to work in partnership with Governors and the Foundation to ensure that Queen Anne’s continues to flourish as a confident, distinctive and forward-looking school.

Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics to arrange a confidential discussion with one of the consultants handling this appointment:

The closing date for applications is 10.00am (UK time) on Wednesday 14 October 2026.

We encourage candidates to apply well in advance of the closing date. The role requires excellent organisational skills, strategic thinking and the ability to balance multiple priorities effectively. Submitting an application early is one way to demonstrate these qualities and ensure sufficient time to present your experience and aspirations fully.

You should submit the following (both in PDF format):

• A completed Application Form.
• A covering letter addressed to Margaret Corbally , Chair of Governors . The letter should be a maximum of two pages and should explain your reasons for applying and outline your suitability for the role.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Laura Cave, Project Coordinator, at [e-mail] . Laura can also be reached by calling our Head Office on [phone].

N.B. Safer recruitment checks will be made at all stages in the recruitment process.

• Queen Anne’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & 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 this post are detailed in the candidate information brochure.
• 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 the applications is 10.00am (UK time) on Wednesday 14 October 2026

Preliminary Interviews will take place via MS Teams with RSAcademics on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 October 2026

Long List interviews will take place at Queen Anne's School on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 November 2026

Short List interviews will take place at Queen Anne's School on Monday 16 November 2026