Head – St John’s School Leatherhead

St John's is a thriving and ambitious school with a strong sense of purpose and a clear view of what education should offer young people.

Its next Head will inherit a flourishing community, strong academic outcomes and a clear direction for the future, together with the opportunity to lead the School through an important phase of its development.

A co-educational day and flexible boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, St John’s educates just under 950 pupils on a beautiful 50-acre campus in Surrey, within easy reach of London. Recent years have seen continued growth in pupil numbers, alongside strong academic outcomes and investment in the wider pupil experience. More than 250 activities support pupils’ interests and talents across sport, the performing arts, adventure and service, while the house system creates a strong sense of belonging in a school that proudly retains a boarding heart.

The School is continuing to strengthen how it prepares young people for life beyond school. The new Sixth Form centre and recently launched Quad Life Skills curriculum reflect a determination to combine academic success with the wider knowledge, skills and confidence pupils will need in an uncertain and changing world.

Following Alex Tate’s appointment to St George’s School, Canada, the Governing Council seeks a successor who will build on the School’s strengths and lead the continued delivery of its agreed strategy. The successful candidate will be an inspiring educational leader with warmth, sound judgement and the financial acumen and commercial understanding to lead a substantial independent school. Working with an experienced Senior Leadership Team, they will sustain high expectations and be a visible and approachable presence in the school community.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Head or an exceptional senior leader ready for a first headship to lead a successful and distinctive school where academic ambition, personal development and community are given equal importance.

Confidential discussions can be arranged with:

• Sarah Glencross, Head of Senior School Search – sarahglencross@rsacademics.com
• Richard Backhouse, Head of UK Appointments – richardbackhouse@rsacademics.com

The closing date for applications is Monday 2 November 2026 at 10:00 (UK).

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 Sara Lipscombe, Chair explaining your reasons for applying and your suitability for the role.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Alison Hooper, Project Manager (Leadership Appointments) at applications@rsacademics.com or call +44 (0)20 4626 9791.

St John’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people 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 & Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

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