Head – St Catherine’s School

RSAcademics Ltd; Twickenham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

St Catherine's is seeking a new Head to succeed the previous leader, starting in January or April 2026. The ideal candidate will be an ambitious leader with a passion for girls' education, capable of fostering a collaborative community and leading a strong curriculum while ensuring excellent pastoral care. This role offers the opportunity to work with a dedicated team and contribute to the school's ongoing success.

Qualifications

• Management experience in schools is essential.
• Passion for girls' education and fostering relationships.
• Ability to lead a dynamic curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Lead the school with confidence into the next period.
• Ensure pastoral care and co-curricular provision.
• Work with a supportive Governing Board and senior leadership team.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Collaboration

Creativity

Vision

Job description

The Chair and Governors of St Catherine’s invite applications for the role of Head to succeed Johneen McPherson after seven and a half years of exceptional leadership.

To start January or April 2026

All schools speak of their high standards for pastoral care, teaching and learning, and co-curricular provision and we are very proud of our record of excellence in these areas. However, what sets St Catherine’s apart is our school culture. The inclusive and caring Catholic Christian ethos welcomes girls of all faiths and none, and the vibrant community celebrates friendship and belonging, and ensures each person feels supported and valued.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and energetic leader who will embrace the values of the School and lead St Catherine’s with confidence into this next period. The next Head will be someone enthusiastic about leading a strong and dynamic curriculum that prepares girls well for the future, while also ensuring pastoral care and co-curricular provision promote pupils’ confidence, integrity and resilience.

At a time of considerable challenge for the independent sector, the successful candidate needs to have the vision, creativity and ambition to take the School forward into the next stage of its development. With a genuine passion for girls’ education, the successful candidate will have the ability to foster effective, collaborative relationships, within the school community and beyond.

Governors look forward to meeting applicants with management experience in schools, and those with the appetite for the challenge, responsibility and privilege of school leadership. The successful candidate will work with a very experienced, personable and innovative senior leadership team and a committed and supportive Governing Board; further training and mentoring will also be available to assist the new Head.

If you have the professional and personal skills needed to become the next Head of St Catherine’s, we will be delighted to consider your application.

Potential applicants who would like to find out more about this opportunity are invited to contact one of the RSAcademics team working on this project for an initial, confidential conversation:

The deadline for receipt of applications is Wednesday 18 June 2025 at 10.00am UK time.

Applications should be made electronically to RSAcademics. To submit your application, please click on Apply Now on the right side of this page and upload your documents according to the instructions provided.

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

• a completed application form. The application form is available to download from the Apply Now link.
• a covering letter addressed to Sylvia Hamilton, Chair of Governors. The letter should explain your reasons for applying.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Alison Hooper, Project Coordinator at: [e-mail] . Alison can also be reached by calling [phone].

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to a number of safer recruitment checks including an enhanced DBS, Barred List and social media checks as part of Keeping Children Safe in Education, and once in post, receive further training and updates.

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 applications is Wednesday 18 June 2025 at 10.00am (UK).

First round interviews will take place in person at the School. The provisional dates are either Wednesday 25 or Thursday 26 June.

Final interviews will take place at the School. The provisional dates are Monday 30 June and Tuesday 1 July.