Head – Nottingham High School

The Governors of Nottingham High School seek a new Head to succeed Kevin Fear who retires in August 2025 after seventeen years of outstanding leadership.

From August 2025

Nottingham High School was founded in 1513, under the seal of Henry VIII, and enjoys a national reputation as a leading independent, co-educational day school in the East Midlands. Whilst rooted in historic traditions, the School prides itself on the holistic, forward-looking and innovative education that it offers to just under 1200 girls and boys aged 4 to 18 years.

Academic, co-curricular and pastoral excellence are the cornerstones of the School, which has inclusivity at its heart, celebrates the rich diversity of its community, and champions individuality. The highest standards of teaching and learning, and the ambition to participate successfully in a wide variety of activities, are supported by an excellent system of pastoral care, based on small tutor groups, which facilitates the School’s focus on individual well-being and openness.

The Governors are seeking an inspirational and imaginative leader: a strategic thinker with a bold educational vision and sense of purpose who will build on the momentum of the School and continue its upwards and outwards trajectory. The successful candidate will be an experienced Head, or an exceptional aspiring Head, and will be an intellectually agile and empathetic leader who engages with all members of the school community. A commitment to leading an academically excellent, inclusive and diverse community, and to educating pupils broadly in preparation for life in a challenging and fast moving world will be pre-requisites for candidates for this headship.

The candidate brief provides further information about the School and the role.

Potential applicants who would like to find out more about this exceptional opportunity should contact one of the RSAcademics team working on this project:

Isabel Patchett, Search Consultant isabelpatchett@rsacademics.com

Michael Spens, Senior Advisor michaelspens@rsacademics.com

The deadline for applications is Monday 20 May 2024 at 10:00am (UK).

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:  

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

Nottingham High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, visitors, and volunteers to share this commitment. The School follows safer recruitment guidelines, including carrying out online searches on shortlisted candidates to check suitability to work in an environment with children. 

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 the role are indicated in the candidate information.  

RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.