Head – Cokethorpe School

Witney

Cokethorpe is an HMC and IAPS independent day school for boys and girls aged four to eighteen, set in 150 acres of glorious Oxfordshire parkland just two miles south of Witney and ten miles to the west of Oxford.

The School has a strong reputation for providing a rigorous, broad curriculum underpinned by a firm belief in the principles of a liberal education, and a knowledge that all pupils have the capacity for excellence if encouraged to be ambitious and take responsibility for their learning

At the heart of our school is the belief that pupils dig deeper, reach higher and stretch further when they feel the embrace of supportive peers and the oversight of enthusiastic and experienced teachers who know when and how to challenge them. The sense of community is fostered by the close-knit House system where young people develop a sense of belonging; it is forged around the close working relationship of the small groups, where teachers engage the intellect, encourage students to grapple with ideas, and teach lifelong respect and humility.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a happy, strong and vibrant community, in which individuals are generous of spirit, inspire friendship and support one another. Teachers, pupils and parents value the School’s small class sizes and emphasis on delivering liberal educational principles in an environment that celebrates individual achievements equally, whatever their interests and passions might be.

The vacancy arises as Damian Ettinger retires after more than twenty years of outstanding service, in which he has provided dynamic and forward-thinking leadership.  The Board of Governors are now seeking an equally inspiring individual who can quickly win the confidence and trust of all members of the school community. The new Head will need to be creative and have the strategic ability to deliver an ambitious and innovative vision for Cokethorpe which navigates the challenges of the independent school landscape skilfully and exploits the opportunities for continuous development and improvement. Responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the school across the 4-18 age range, the new Head will ensure that Cokethorpe continues to be known for an excellent educational experience supported by outstanding levels of safeguarding, pastoral care, and enrichment opportunities.

Already in Headship or in a senior leadership position, you will be a proven, empathetic and collaborative leader committed to sustaining an environment where you will empower others and inspire a talented team to even greater success. You must be a natural networker with the inter-personal skills to act as a compelling ambassador for Cokethorpe in a range of internal and external settings and to articulate what differentiates Cokethorpe from its competitors. The Head leads on marketing, recruitment and retention and keeps a relentless focus on pupil numbers. Strong commercial instincts and business acumen will also be essential to develop the “business” side of the School and in seeking alternative sources of income.  Further details are available in the Candidate Information Brochure.

Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics to arrange an informal and confidential discussion about the role: 

Camilla Oulton, Search Consultant: camillaoulton@rsacademics.com

Peter Bodkin, Senior Advisor: peterbodkin@rsacademics.com  

The closing date for applications is 10.00am on Wednesday 4 December 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:

  • A completed application form.
  • A covering letter addressed to Mr John Bennett, Chair of the 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 documents please contact Laura Beacon, Project Coordinator (Appointments), at applications@rsacademics.com. Laura can also be reached by calling our Head Office on +44 (0)1858 383163.

Cokethorpe School is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; 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.

Key Dates

The Deadline for applications is Wednesday 4 December 2024 at 10.00am (UK time)

Preliminary interviews will take place via MS Teams on Friday 6 or Monday 9 December 2024

Longlist interviews will take place at the School in the week commencing 6 January 2025

Shortlist interviews will take place at the School in the week commencing 13 January 2025