Senior Deputy Head – Reading Blue Coat School

Reading Blue Coat School is seeking to appoint an outstanding Senior Deputy Head from September 2027.

Situated on a beautiful 46-acre riverside campus in Sonning, the School educates approximately 890 pupils aged 11 to 18 and combines academic ambition with a strong commitment to character, service, creativity, inclusion and personal development.

This is an excellent moment to join Reading Blue Coat School. The School is thriving academically, pastorally and culturally as it enters a significant new phase in its development. It is completing its transition to full co-education, opening a major new Performing Arts Centre and preparing to introduce a new structure for the School day from September 2027. Rooted in its Christian foundation, the School is a warm and purposeful community shaped by aspiration, compassion, courage, integrity and service.

The Senior Deputy Head will be the Head’s principal deputy and a trusted partner in leadership. Reporting directly to the Head and serving on both the Executive Team and Senior Leadership Team, they will oversee the day-to-day life of the School and help translate its educational vision into consistently excellent practice. The role encompasses educational quality, operational effectiveness, pastoral oversight, safeguarding, compliance, staffing and the experience of pupils, colleagues and families.

The successful candidate will be a thoughtful, confident and strategically minded educational leader with significant senior leadership experience. They will combine intellectual credibility and operational discipline with emotional intelligence, warmth and sound judgement. Visible and approachable, they will build strong relationships across the community, uphold high standards and help the School navigate change while protecting the distinctive ethos and strengths on which its success is built.

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

Camilla Oulton: camillaoulton@rsacademics.com  

Richard Backhouse: richardbackhouse@rsacademics.com

The closing date for applications is 12 noon UK time on Monday 9 November 2026.

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 the Headmaster, Mr Pete Thomas. The letter should explain your reasons for applying and your suitability for the role.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Jonathan Barnes, Head of Operations (Leadership Appointments) at applications@rsacademics.com. Alternatively, you may call RSAcademics on +44 (0)20 4626 9791.

• Reading Blue Coat School 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.