Rector

The High School of Dundee; Dundee; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned independent school in Dundee is seeking a Rector to lead and shape its future. This role requires a strategic leader with a clear educational vision, adept at community engagement and leadership development. The ideal candidate will embody the school's values and have a strong commitment to enhancing its strengths. Apply by 31 October 2025 to join this diverse and committed community.

Qualifications

• Leadership grounded in the school's values.
• Commitment to developing leadership at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief educator and CEO.
• Shape the next chapter for the school.
• Connect with the entire community.

Job description

Overview

The Board of the High School of Dundee invites applications for the role of Rector from August 2026. One of Scotland’s renowned independent co-educational day schools, the High School of Dundee offers its 836 pupils aged 3-18 a distinctive city-centre school experience, creating real world ready students.

Academically strong with a far-reaching reputation for the quality and variety of its co-curricular offering and sector leading pastoral care, the School benefits from a blend of historic buildings and modern facilities, with a strong commitment to the broader city of Dundee. The next Rector will inherit an ambitious, committed and diverse community, secure in its identity and ready to seize the opportunities of a changing independent sector.

Responsibilities

The appointee will confidently fulfil the role of chief educator and CEO, working with a talented Board and senior team to shape an ambitious next chapter for the School. The appointee will offer a clear and focused educational vision, strategic and people leadership experience, commercial and partnership building skills, and the ability to connect with the entire community.

Qualifications and characteristics

Applicants must demonstrate how their leadership will be grounded in the High School of Dundee’s values and the Nolan Principles of public life. Applicants must also demonstrate a clear commitment to enhancing the School’s existing strengths and to developing leadership at all levels.

How to apply

For further information, please visit HSDrector.co.uk and for an informal confidential conversation about the role, please contact our advisors at Gatenby Sanderson:

Rosemary Baylis-West, [e-mail]

Russell Brandon, [e-mail]

A CV, letter of application and the school’s application form completed in full must be submitted to Gatenby Sanderson by 17:00 on Friday 31 October 2025.

Equal opportunity and safeguarding

The High School of Dundee is proud to be an inclusive equal opportunity employer and actively seeks to increase the diversity of its staff in all appointments. The High School of Dundee employs and welcomes all applicants regardless of race, religion, colour, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.

The High School of Dundee 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, applying for membership of the PVG Scheme as managed by Disclosure Scotland and online media checks (including personal, professional and other online activities). All roles within the school involve contact with children and are therefore classed as regulated activity. It is an offence to apply for a role at the school if you know that you are barred from regulated activity with children. Child protection and safeguarding are the responsibility of everyone who works or volunteers in our school. All staff must be committed to providing a safe environment for children and supporting the school’s safeguarding ethos.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants are required to declare all convictions and cautions, even those that are “spent” unless they are “protected” under Disclosure Scotland’s filtering rules, to assess suitability to work with children. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to disclose information relevant to safeguarding prior to interview.