Head of Dame Bradbury's - Application Deadline 26 January

The Principal and Governors of the Stephen Perse Foundation invite applications for the role of Head of Dame Bradbury’s following the decision of the current Head of School to retire at the end of the academic year 2021-2. 

This represents a fantastic opportunity to lead a highly successful Junior School within the award-winning group of Stephen Perse Foundation schools and nurseries. The Schools of the Foundation were inspected by ISI in October 2021, achieving ‘Excellent’ ratings in both academic achievement and pupils’ personal development, and satisfying all compliance requirements. 

The role of Head of Dame Bradbury’s will combine high levels of professional autonomy (the school is located on its own distinct site and with its own leadership team, reporting to the Head) with the benefit of the supporting financial and operational resources, and strategic support, of a large Foundation. The rest of our schools and nurseries are based in Cambridge, educating over 1500 children and students in total, aged from 0 to 18. 

Dame Bradbury’s, which is celebrating its 500th anniversary this year, is one of two Junior Schools within the Foundation, educating boys and girls aged 5-11, following a shared curriculum and vision for education, designed to encourage independent, creative and reflective thinking. Set in the heart of Saffron Walden, with a well-established nursery and early years setting on the same site, Dame Bradbury’s is a creative community where ideas, individuals and imaginations thrive. Pupils share a willingness to experiment and question, nurtured through an innovative curriculum, a rich and diverse co-curriculum and outstanding pastoral care. The majority of pupils progress to our Stephen Perse Senior School in Cambridge at Year 7, which was named the Secondary School of the Decade for East Anglia by the Sunday Times Parent Power in 2020, and has regularly featured among the top independent schools in the country in the league tables. 

The current Head of School, Louise Graham, will retire at the end of the academic year 2021-2 and we are now seeking a successor who can build on her many achievements. This is a truly excellent headship opportunity in a recast role, either for an existing Head, Deputy Head or Senior Leader with substantial experience. The Head of Dame Bradbury’s will sit on the Senior Leadership Team of the Foundation and will play a critical role in ensuring a cohesive and compelling one school ethos, working closely with the Principal, Vice Principal and other members of the Operational and Educational Executive and the Foundation’s Governors. 

The Head of Dame Bradbury’s will lead the Academic, Pastoral and Co-curricular life of the Junior School, taking responsibility for setting and sustaining a friendly, purposeful and fulfilling culture that mirrors the mission, vision and values of the Foundation, and that educates and inspires the contributors to tomorrow’s world.  They will also oversee and be significantly involved in admissions processes and in promoting Dame Bradbury’s to prospective parents and pupils, with significant responsibility and input into the marketing strategy of the school. 

The successful appointee will build on a healthy roll with further growth potential, a very strong local reputation and rich history, both as part of the Stephen Perse family and as a Junior School in its own right. Applications are welcomed from a wide range of backgrounds and the Foundation is open to considering those able to take up the post in either September 2022 or January 2023. 

Job Opportunities at Stephen Perse

To apply for a position please click 'Apply now' and download and complete the application form. Applications should be marked Private and Confidential and emailed to:  recruitment@stephenperse.com