Head – St Martin’s School, Northwood

The Governors seek an inspiring, visible and talented new Head to lead the School into its next phase.

From September 2026 (or January 2027)

St Martin’s is a leading independent day school for boys aged 3–13, set in 12 acres of attractive grounds in Northwood. Established in 1922, the School is known for strong academic outcomes, excellent pastoral care and a rich co-curricular life, particularly in music, sport and the arts. With around 400 pupils, it has a warm, ambitious community with a longstanding record of securing places and scholarships at top senior schools.

St Martin’s is entering an exciting new chapter as, from April 2026, it will join the Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools family, a highly respected group recently named Independent School of the Year 2025. The partnership preserves the School’s strong identity while offering enhanced opportunities for collaboration, shared expertise and long-term sustainability within a values-aligned educational network.

St Martin’s is well known as being a school that achieves an effective balance of academic stretch, pastoral care and holistic development.  It is blessed with fabulous grounds, dedicated staff and fantastic pupils.  It is also fortunate to be supported by parents who value the school’s genuine commitment to holistic co-education in a community that is a vibrant mix of day pupils of multiple backgrounds and nationalities.

The successful candidate will build on the outstanding work of the current Head, Simon Dunn, strengthening academic ambition, sustaining excellent pastoral provision and engaging confidently with a highly committed parent body. They will also play a key role in embedding the opportunities created by the School’s entry into the Haberdashers’ family.

St Martin’s benefits from excellent facilities, strong finances, an engaged governing body and a cohesive staff team. This is a rare opportunity to lead a school with real character, purpose and momentum.

Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics to arrange an initial, confidential discussion about the role:

Angela Short, Head of Search – angelashort@rsacademics.com
Andrew Nott, Senior Advisor – andrewnott@rsacademics.com

The deadline for applications is 10.00am UK time on Friday 20th February 2026.

Applications should be made electronically to RSAcademics. To submit your application, please click on “Apply Now” and follow the instructions provided.

As part of your online application you will be required to upload a covering letter (in PDF format please), which should be addressed to Mr Anthony Dearing, Acting Chair of Governors.  The letter should explain your reasons for applying.

If you have any questions about completing your online application, 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.

St Martin’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and 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.