Head of Junior School – Ackworth School

Ackworth School is looking for a forward thinking leader to be their next Head of Junior School.

Ackworth School, located in a beautiful rural setting in West Yorkshire was founded in 1779 by John Fothergill on behalf of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and the School Committee (or Board of Governors) is still accountable to this body. The School was established for Quaker boys and girls and the Quaker ethos, with its emphasis on quiet reflection and the search for God (or good) within oneself and within others, lies at the heart of the School.

Today, the school roll is around 425 comprising day and boarding pupils aged 2-18 with the majority from non-Quaker families and about 20% in the Senior School coming from other countries. Indeed, the international nature of the School, especially in the Sixth Form, is one of its distinctive features.

The campus extends well beyond the original Grade 1 listed building providing a wide range of facilities. The extensive grounds are the setting for a range of sports fields and a Forest School.

At the centre of the School’s vibrant community lies the Quaker philosophy of “Non sibi sed omnibus” — not for oneself but for all. This guiding principle, alongside the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, truth, equality, peace, and sustainability, shapes every aspect of life at Ackworth.

The position of Head of Junior School (known as Coram House) provides a platform to build on excellence and grow our flagship nursery and junior provision, as well as contributing to the overall strategic leadership of the whole school. Leading our enthusiastic, skilled and professional junior school team will give you the opportunity to innovate, develop and inspire. Ensuring the School’s youngest pupils have an enjoyable and effective start to learning, and that they are prepared for the next stage in life is critical to their successful education and life chances. The role of Head of Junior School is key to this.

The School is looking for someone with strategic vision to join its senior leadership team in meeting the current challenges, seeing them as an opportunity to create different ways of working; someone who views change positively. If this excites your professional interest and presents a broad intellectual challenge as part of your calling as a leader in young children’s education, then please do apply without delay. In line with its values, you will find the School a welcoming, friendly and encouraging place to work. The remuneration package includes generous fee remission and family accommodation.

Interested candidates wishing to arrange an informal, confidential discussion about the role should contact:

Jenny Funnell, Search Consultant: JennyFunnell@RSAcademics.com

Peter Bodkin, Senior Advisor: PeterBodkin@RSAcademics.com

The closing date for applications is 10.00am on Monday 3 February 2025.

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

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

• a completed application form
• a covering letter addressed to Mr Martyn Beer, Head of Ackworth School. In the letter, you should address the requirements of the role and draw on the relevance of your experience and skills
  to illustrate your suitability, paying particular attention to the person specification and overall job description.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Laura Beacon, Project Coordinator at applications@rsacademics.com.  Laura can also be reached by calling our Head Office on +44 (0)1858 383163.

Ackworth 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.