Head – Berkhamsted Girls School

Following Ms Emma Watson’s recent appointment as Head of St Catherine’s School, Bramley, Berkhamsted Schools Group is delighted to announce the search for the next Head of Berkhamsted Girls from September 2025.

Berkhamsted is the only school in the Herts, Beds and Bucks region, and one of only a small number of schools in the country, to offer a ‘diamond’ structure that combines the best of both single-sex and co-educational teaching. Boys and girls are taught together until the age of 11 (Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Prep), and separately from the age of 11 16 (Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls), before coming back together again in a joint sixth form (Berkhamsted Sixth). The Girls School is located on the King’s Road opposite Berkhamsted Prep School, with the Knox Johnson Sports Centre next door.

Founded in 1541 by John Incent, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, with a grant from Henry VIII, Berkhamsted Schools Group (‘Berkhamsted’) is based in a historic Hertfordshire town, surrounded by Chiltern countryside and within easy reach of the centre of London. Berkhamsted has grown into a leading provider of independent education in the South East with 2200 young people in its care through a merger with Berkhamsted Girls School in 1997, and Heatherton House (a girls-only, 3-11 prep school in Chesham Bois) in 2011. Berkhamsted now comprises Pre-Prep, Prep, Boys (11-16), Girls (11-16) (originally founded in 1888), Sixth and Heatherton.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a strong Executive team, to lead and manage a forward-thinking innovative school for 430 girls which boasts an extensive curriculum both in and out of the classroom.

Reporting directly to the Principal the postholder will enjoy significant levels of autonomy whilst enjoying support and expertise from central operations. The successful candidate will ensure the culture is such that all girls demonstrate a spirit of intellectual enquiry and curiosity, whilst fostering an ethos of kindness, diversity, and pupil responsibility. Berkhamsted describes itself as Developing Remarkable People – this applies to staff as well as pupils and many recent senior post holders have secured significant stand-alone headships across the UK and abroad.

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

Michael Stephens, Head of Senior School Search: michaelstephens@rsacademics.com

Helen Flower, Search Consultant: helenflower@rsacademics.com

The deadline for receipt of applications is 10.00am (UK time) on Friday 4 October 2024.

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 Richard Backhouse, Principal of Berkhamsted Schools Group. The letter should explain your reasons for applying.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Jonathan Barnes, Head of Operations (Leadership Appointments) at: applications@rsacademics.com. Jonathan can also be reached by calling our Head Office on +44 (0)1858 383163.

Berkhamsted Schools Group is an equal opportunities employer committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service and a review of their social media presence. All appointments are subject to a criminal background check and proof of qualifications, in accordance with the requirements of the Children Act. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. The Schools’ Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be found on their website.