Head – St Margaret’s School, Hampstead

The role of Head of St Margaret’s School becomes available in September 2025 on the retirement of Mark Webster, the highly respected and much-loved Principal of 16 years.

Start: September 2025

St Margaret’s School is a small, one form entry girls’ school of 170 pupils for ages 4-16 based in a large Edwardian house in residential Hampstead in London, NW3, close to the open spaces of Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill Park. The School prides itself on its welcoming, friendly, family atmosphere where girls have an innate sense of belonging and are cared for personally by exceptional staff.

St Margaret’s is a school with high expectations of its girls where the strong, supportive community gives them the confidence and self-belief to take risks. However, what makes this school special and distinctive amongst competitor schools is a recognition that each girl will take her own individual path to excellence in an atmosphere that is encouraging and values kindness.

The Governors are now looking for a new Head to take the School forward in its mission to provide a secure, caring and challenging learning environment that is aspirational and innovative.

They will be looking for a warm and engaging leader with the energy and desire to be fully involved in the life of St Margaret’s. This is an exciting role for a current or aspiring Head who is a charismatic and motivated individual with knowledge and experience of secondary education and a good understanding of 16+ transfer in north London. Above all, the new Head will appreciate why St Margaret’s is different and champion the belief that there are many different routes girls may follow on their journey to success.

The School has its own unique and special personality and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead a school that is well placed to embrace the many challenges facing our society, education in general, and the independent sector, in particular, and build on its firm foundations.

A generous salary will be offered to reflect the importance of the post and the experience and qualifications of the individual appointed. Other benefits include a pension scheme, health insurance, and fee remission for children attending St Margaret’s.

Potential candidates who would like a confidential initial conversation about this headship should contact one of the RSAcademics search consultants working on this project:

Isabel Patchett, Search Consultant: isabelpatchett@rsacademics.com   

Diana Watkins, Senior Advisor: dianawatkins@rsacademics.com

The deadline for receipt of the application is 10.00am (UK time) on Thursday 30^th January 2025.

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 Emily Brettle, Chair of Governors.  The letter should explain your reasons for applying.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please 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.

• St Margaret’s School, Hampstead 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 and 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 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.