Head Teacher – Ravenscourt Park Prep School

The Directors of the Gardener Schools Group are seeking to appoint a new Head of Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School to succeed Mr Carl Howes who will be taking a career break after 11 years of outstanding leadership.

Required for September 2026

Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School is a highly successful school offering an educational experience rooted in excellence and achievement. A non-selective, co-educational preparatory day school for boys and girls aged 4-11, the school was founded by the Gardener Schools Group (GSG) in 1991. The school enjoys an excellent reputation in the local community where its ethos and the standards it sets are greatly valued. There are 420 children from Reception to Year 6 on roll. It is over-subscribed with long waiting lists.

RPPS lies in a beautiful setting next to Ravenscourt Park. It is housed in four separate buildings with light and airy classrooms. It has specialist on-site facilities including a multi-purpose theatre, library, music room, art studio and science laboratory. Additional facilities include a gymnasium, digital learning space and a large outdoor playground space. The school prepares children for relevant 11+ entrance exams and pupils progress to top London and UK schools.

The 2024 ISI report identified many strengths of the School including its approach to diversity:

‘Leaders and managers are highly adept at promoting equality diversity and inclusion…. as a result pupils exhibit high levels of well-being and enjoy their school experience. They have an exceptionally high quality understanding of and respect towards people with different backgrounds, faiths and lifestyles ….this is a significant strength in the school’.

GSG is a family company that was founded by experienced former state-school teachers 30 years ago. Today, the Group comprises four independent, co-educational schools in London that educate around 1,500 children aged 2-18 years. The new Head will work closely with, and be supported by, other Heads and the Directors.

The new Head will need to be an outstanding leader with excellent communication skills. They will be able to articulate a clear vision for the school, to inspire parents and children and to lead a talented senior leadership team. The role will be exciting, challenging and rewarding.

A highly competitive remuneration package is available commensurate with the seniority of the post and the experience of the successful candidate.

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

Jenny Funnell, Search Consultant: jennyfunnell@rsacademics.com

Liz Francis, Senior Advisor: lizfrancis@rsacademics.com

The deadline for receipt of the application is 10.00am (UK time) on Friday 7 November 2025.

Applications should be made electronically to RSAcademics. To submit your application, please click on “Apply Now” 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 Theo Brehony, Managing Director, Gardener 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) 204 6269 791.

NB. Safer recruitment checks will be made at all stages in the recruitment process.

Gardener 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. Gardener Schools Group’s Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be found on the school’s website.

RSAcademics is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.