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HEAD Information for candidates
INTRODUCTION
King’s College School in Wimbledon is one of the Mr Andrew Halls OBE is stepping down as Head in
most successful schools in the world. It provides an July 2022 after nearly 15 years of exceptional service.
inspirational and forward thinking education to more During his tenure, King’s has followed a remarkable
than 1600 pupils (1500 boys aged 7-18 and around trajectory and has earned its place as one of the most
100 girls aged 16-18). Exam results are exceptional but admired schools in the UK and internationally. Under
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King’s is equally proud of its excellent pastoral care and Andrew, King’s has completed a £60m masterplan of
an ethos strongly rooted in kindness, respect for and improvements to buildings and facilities, developed its
service to others. international schools, developed its hugely impressive
partnerships programme, become co-educational in the
Accolades have been heaped upon the school. sixth form and moved to 11+ entry to the senior school.
Through all this development and change, the values and
The Tatler Good Schools Guide says, ethos of the schools have been strengthened and the KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
importance placed on kindness, tolerance, service and
“The School thrives on a guiding belief respect for others is stronger than ever.
in kindness and a community spirit.”
The successful candidate will be an exceptional
Talk Education 2020 describes it as, educational leader with a strong vision for King’s,
an impressive track record, and a commitment to
“…academically ambitious, delivering outstanding academic and co-curricular
pastorally supersonic .” programmes and pastoral care. This is a rare opportunity
for a candidate committed to building on the schools’
The Good Schools Guide sums up the offer as, successes to date. First-class communication skills, a
strong sense of social responsibility, a deep empathy
“…intellectually exhilarating yet with the values and ethos of the schools, support for
principled…a real golden ticket.” the international schools’ programme and the flexibility
to adapt to a fast-changing educational landscape will be
The Head of King’s will be in overall charge of a group pre-requisites.
of schools made up of a pre-prep, a junior and senior
school in Wimbledon, and (currently) five sister schools
overseas. Plans for an online school are currently
in development. 1
HISTORY
King’s was founded in 1829 as the junior department
of King’s College London and was originally located
in The Strand. During the early Victorian period teachers
included the artist John Sell Cotman and the poet
Gabriele Rossetti who taught English (his son, Dante
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Gabriele Rossetti, joined the school in 1837). King’s
was progressive in its curriculum, appointing the first
science master in 1855 at a time when very few schools
taught science.
The school grew in reputation and numbers and in 1897
moved to its current location in Wimbledon. In 1909 it
KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
formally separated from the University and the junior
school opened on the same site in 1912.
In 2010 the first girls were admitted to the sixth form
and in 2016 the school was restructured to admit boys
to the senior school aged 11. From September 2021,
boys from the junior school will also move up to the
senior school at 11.
2
LOCATION AND CAMPUS
King’s occupies a 20-acre site on the south side of Living and working in Wimbledon
Wimbledon Common and owns an additional 24
acres of playing fields nearby and a boat house on Although most famous for tennis, Wimbledon provides
Putney embankment. The red brick façade facing a a lively and vibrant community with a large and beautiful
peaceful area of the common is the visible frontage
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park and a wide range of shops, bars and restaurants
of a much larger campus encompassing an attractive spread between the village near to the school’s location
variety of architectural styles, reflecting the growth and and the more typical town centre at the bottom of
development of the school. The Telegraph Independent the hill. There is a celebrated children’s theatre, The
Schools Guide commented, Polka, and League One football club AFC Wimbledon
has recently opened a new stadium nearby. Wimbledon
“The 20-acre campus has an Common is one of the largest parks in London, offering
enchanted feel, helping to provide a tranquil green spaces and opportunities for a variety KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
harmonious learning environment.” of leisure activities. Wimbledon is just ten minutes
from Clapham Junction and 20 minutes from London
A ten-year masterplan to redevelop the site has recently Waterloo and is also on the Underground.
been completed. This has included a new reception
through to the Great Hall (which was designed by the
architect Bannister Fletcher for the school’s opening
in 1897), a refurbished and enlarged dining hall, a new
classroom block and hall for the lower school (Year 7 and
8), and a landscaped quadrangle. In 2018 a new music
school was completed, including multiple sound proofed
rehearsal rooms, specialist classrooms and a 200-seater
concert hall. In 2019 a new sports complex was opened
beside the original sports hall; facilities include a new six-
court sports hall, dance studio, fitness suites and a six-
lane swimming pool. The school’s new buildings have
won numerous awards in architectural competitions.
3
KING’S COLLEGE JUNIOR SCHOOL
AND PRE-PREP
King’s College Junior School shares the same campus and Pre-Prep
facilities as the senior school but has a distinct identity
including its own uniform. This year there are around Wimbledon Common Preparatory School, known
430 boys aged 7-13 on the school roll. Historically locally as ‘Squirrels’, is part of the Corporation of King’s.
almost all moved up to the senior school at 13 via the
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It admits boys aged 4-7, but a place at the pre-prep does
King’s transfer exam; however the school is currently not guarantee automatic selection for King’s College
going through a period of transition. The senior school Junior School. Boys must sit and pass the same tests and
started admitting boys at 11 in 2016. Pupils from the assessments as external candidates at 7+.
junior school have been joining the existing cohort in
Year 9, but from September all boys from the junior
school will join the senior school at 11. Entry for internal
candidates will be via assessment rather than a formal KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
exam. This will bring the pupil numbers in the junior
school closer to 280.
The head of the junior school reports to the
head of King’s College School and is a member of
the school’s management board.The current headmaster
Dr Gerard Silverlock has been in post since 2006 and
is retiring at the end of the summer term 2021. The
new headmaster, Mr Ted Lougher, who will start in
September 2021, was previously an assistant head in the
junior school and is currently Deputy Head (Academic)
at Clifton College Prep in Bristol.
4
ADMISSIONS
Places at every entry point are extremely highly sought
after and the school is full. All potential candidates must
be registered prior to a formal application. Every year
the junior school admits around 54 boys into Year 3, with
additional smaller entries in subsequent years. This will
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increase to around 80 by the end of Year 5. Assessment
is via interview, observed activity sessions, reports from
their current schools and papers in English and Maths
along with a reasoning test and a listening test.
There are usually around 65 places available for
external candidates at 11+ with about 40% entering
KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
from primary schools. This year, there were just over
ten applicants for every place at 11+. In a normal year,
selection is based on the school’s own entrance exams
and interviews. At all stages staff are looking for potential
and evidence of a passion for learning.
This year, for the last time, around 80 boys will join the
senior school from the junior school at 13+. In future,
all junior school boys will transfer to the senior school
without an exam at the age of 11. There remains a 13+
(year 9) entry for 25-30 pupils from prep schools.
At 16+, about 55 pupils join the lower sixth from a range
of London day schools and some boarding schools.
About 50 of these will typically be girls.
5
ACADEMIC LIFE AND LEARNING ENRICHMENT
Academic excellence is a hallmark of a King’s education. in 2013 alongside the IB. Both systems are extremely
Outstanding exam results and deep-rooted knowledge successful: in 2020 111 students took A Levels and
are the natural fruits of a culture which encourages 81 the IBDP. Exam results are outstanding across the
intellectual curiosity, discussion and the development two programmes.
of ideas and opinions. At its heart is inspirational
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teaching delivered by staff who convey passion and In 2019, 50% of all sixth form grades were A* at A level
enthusiasm for their subject and encourage pupils to or 7 at IB Higher Level and 83% of all GCSEs were
make their own discoveries both during their time at graded 9/8 (or A*).
school and throughout their lives. The Good Schools
Guide concluded, Most King’s sixth formers go on to attend the best
universities in the world. Over the past seven years
“Curriculum is both deep and broad, around 25% of students have won places at Oxford
or Cambridge, although this is clearly changing in the
KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
allowing students to grow intellectually
current climate. A growing number are choosing to
in ever y direction.” study in the USA.
At GCSE all pupils study seven core subjects including
three sciences and French. Pupils often sit IGCSE French Learning Enrichment
at the end of lower fifth (Year 10) and in the upper fifth
The department is deliberately named to emphasise
(Year 11) may go on to further study in French, take
that additional support is available to all pupils during
another modern language or a non-examined computer
their time at King’s, not just those with a diagnosed
course. Around half take a more advanced qualification
learning need. Staff offer short term support, for
in Maths alongside IGCSE.
example with study skills, or longer term for those with
The sixth form is accommodated in its own purpose- a specific learning difficulty or a less conventional
built centre. Facilities include a Fairtrade café, spacious learning style.
reading room and recently refurbished area for
relaxation. Students may study for A levels or the
International Baccalaureate. In 2008 King’s became an
IB only school. The current head reintroduced A Levels
6
RESPONSE TO COVID-19
During the summer term of 2020 and the spring
term of 2021, King’s has switched to online learning using
the Microsoft platform. The feedback on online learning
has been very positive. Staff are working hard to make
pupils feel as much a part of the school community
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as possible. There is online form time every morning
and pupils continue to compete in house events and
charity challenges.
All senior school pupils took part in a research week in
the summer term and there was an electives programme
for the upper fifth and upper sixth who were unable to sit
KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
public exams. This included around 60 courses for upper
sixth and 40 for upper fifth ranging from Shakespeare to
rap music.
This term pupils have enjoyed a creativity day and special
afternoon activities; for example, boys in Years 7, 8 and 9
watched the inauguration of US President Joe Biden and
presented a piece of work analysing political bias and
prejudice in the news coverage.
The school has continued to publish its own online
news sheet - ‘The Covid Irregular’ - described as, ‘An
occasional update on all matters related to Covid-19 and
attendant shenanigans as they affect the King’s community.’
This is a newsletter detailing the latest government
measures and attempting to answer parents’ questions
comprehensively and with good humour.
7
PASTORAL CARE
From the moment they arrive every pupil is part of the In the sixth form new pupils are allocated to a form and
King’s family, a concept which is underpinned by robust tutor group. Girls join an all-girl tutor group for their
procedures, structures and committed staff. time in the school.
At King’s, academic success is always viewed in the There are also buddy and mentoring schemes where
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context of good mental health. In a school where current pupils support new entrants.
pupils are aiming for the highest exam grades, great care
is given to ensuring they acquire social and emotional For pupils who may need extra support there are two
skills alongside their intellectual development. Strong nurses and two part-time counsellors based on the
relationships between staff and pupils are at the core of school site. The school also has a chaplain who represents
this and underpin the school community. the Anglican tradition but cares for the spiritual wellbeing
of the whole school and plays an important role in
In the lower school (Year 7 and 8) pupils stay in the same pastoral care.
KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
form with the same tutor for the first two years at the
school. They are also assigned to a house where they
can take part in a wide range of activities.
In the middle school (Years 9-11) pupils are placed
in a form and a tutor group which is linked to one of
the school’s six houses. Whilst the form group has a
primarily administrative function, the tutor group is key
to a pupil’s personal development. It is made up of
around 12 students from all year groups to help build
friendships and support networks. Pupils have the same
tutor throughout their five years at the school, creating
strong pastoral ties. Parents are encouraged to liaise
directly with the tutor who often works with siblings
from the same family. It is both an informal and formal
arrangement which helps to build a deep sense of
individual responsibility and care for the pupil.
8
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
New facilities constructed over the past few years have A socially-distanced Christmas concert featuring five
further enhanced what was already an outstanding co- year groups from across the junior and senior school
curricular programme at King’s. was pre-recorded last term.
Sport Drama
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Competitive sport plays a major role at King’s and King’s has a national reputation for its drama, often
the school has enjoyed impressive and notable success receiving rave reviews for student-led productions at
in rugby, hockey, football, netball and tennis. Rowing the Edinburgh Fringe. Large ensemble pieces such as
continues to thrive, based at the school’s boathouse West Side Story or The Winter’s Tale are staged in the
at Putney. Participation is just as important as team school’s Collyer Theatre and smaller more experimental
success. Basketball, swimming, golf, sailing, fencing and pieces are performed in the drama studios. Pandemics KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
squash are all on offer and pupils are encouraged to permitting, a senior school and a lower school production
choose a physical activity they enjoy for the benefit of are held every year along with a House Plays Festival and
their physical and mental health. a production with our partnership schools.
Music
Whilst pupils at King’s aim for the highest possible
standards of performance, music is designed to be
inclusive with a variety of opportunities to participate
at every level. There are orchestras and ensembles to
suit a wide variety of tastes. Regular concerts at school
are supplemented with performances at venues such as
St John’s Smith Square and Cadogan Hall. Choral music
has a particularly strong tradition at King’s. There is a
chamber choir which tours extensively, King’s Kapella, a
close harmony group and a girls’ choir, Cantate.
9COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
King’s has been a trail blazer in the development of Even during the Covid-19 restrictions some of the
partnership programmes with maintained schools and projects have continued. Pupils have conducted Latin
the wider community. The whole of Friday afternoon and English lessons for primary school children via Zoom
is devoted to volunteering activities and taking part is a and students who usually visited care homes have set
formative experience for many King’s students. As the up a pen-pal scheme. The annual summer school was
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Tatler Schools Guide says, able to go ahead in a modified form. Over eight days
21 King’s teachers worked with 60 local state school
“Ser vice to others is woven into the children offering classes in Maths, English and Science to
fabric of King’s.” make up for learning lost in the first lockdown.
There is a large and complex programme which
essentially has three main strands: the first is a KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
partnership consisting of King’s and nine local maintained
secondary schools and sixth forms; the second is
made up of a wide range of projects carried out in 25
further schools including primary schools; and the third
is an outreach programme taking in gardening,
volunteering in local libraries and taking tea with
elderly people.
On a Friday afternoon more than 400 students and
55 staff are involved; just a few examples include sixth
formers from King’s and Grey Court School joining
forces to introduce Year 8s at Grey Court to the new
subject of philosophy and economics; the Jazz Combo
working with local schools and music groups to put on
a concert in the King’s Concert Hall; students coaching
football at the local Harris Academy and volunteers
from King’s helping schools set up and write their
own newspapers.
10THE KING’S COMMUNITY
Being a member of the King’s family continues long
after students have left the school. A sense of shared
values and community spirit is perpetuated in a variety
of groups and associations.
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The King’s Association was established in 2013 and
incorporates alumni, parents and staff. It organises
networking and social events as well as reunions.
The school has a very active parents’ association,
The Friends of King’s, which is involved in fundraising,
socialising and the running of a second-hand uniform
shop. In particular, they organise a locally renowned
KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
fireworks event and a Christmas tea for elderly
local residents. The Arthur Wellesley Society, named
after the Duke of Wellington, who was involved in
the establishment of the school as Prime Minister,
organises theatre trips, talks and dinners for current and
former parents.
The Old King’s Club is the alumni association. OKs
are actively involved in giving careers advice and
opportunities to current pupils as well as running
successful sporting and social activities.
11INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND ONLINE SCHOOL
There are currently four overseas sister schools There is no financial commitment from King’s to
operating under licence and service agreements in the new ventures abroad. King’s continues to actively
King’s College family with a fifth, King’s College School explore further opportunities in new territories with
Chengdu, due to open in September. This will be the like-minded partners.
third developed in partnership with Dipont Education
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in China. The others are Nanwai King’s College School Online School
Wuxi and RDFZ King’s College Hangzhou which opened
in 2018. King’s is in the process of developing an online school.
A senior member of staff has been seconded to the
King’s Bangkok was developed with Excellent Education project and an assistant head is being recruited. In the
of Thailand (XET) and opened in September 2020. At first instance it will provide online content and teacher
the same time the existing International School of training to the existing King’s community. In time it is KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
Monaco joined the group under the same licence hoped that it might be extended to offer teacher training,
and service arrangements. It operates in association online support and additional courses to students,
with King’s with regular interaction and sharing of especially in the maintained sector.
good practice.
The international schools are run by a wholly
owned subsidiary King’s College School Wimbledon
(International) Ltd. It has its own board, comprising
three main board governors and three senior staff
which reports to the main governing body termly. The
Director of Overseas Schools reports into the Head.
Two representatives from King’s sit on the governing
bodies of each of the schools.
Income from the schools helps fund bursary provision,
community projects and education technology.
12FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND BURSARIES
The Corporation operates as a charity, registered with 10 year forecasts project a robust trajectory, with funds
the Charity Commission, and comprises three schools earmarked for bursary and endowment support as well
- King’s College senior school, King’s College junior as ongoing capital development. The school has limited
school and Wimbledon Common Prep School. It also liabilities beyond deposits and composition fees, as it
comprises two trading subsidiaries, KCSW International does not invest any money into its international schools
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and KCS Enterprises. It is financially robust and turns programme, which operates under licensing and servicing
over c. £35 million annually. The Corporation generated arrangements. This non-fee income is projected to grow
a cash surplus of c. £6m in 2020. Pupil numbers were at significantly over the next ten years but the Corporation
their highest to date in the academic year 2019/20 with takes a prudent approach to this in its forecasting.
1606 across the Corporation. The balance sheet shows
net assets of c. £64m in 2020. The school participates in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme
for its teaching staff.
KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
The vast majority of income is derived from fees from the
Corporation schools, but the trading subsidiaries KCSW Bursaries
International (which runs the school’s overseas schools
licensing programme) and KCS Enterprises (which runs In 2019/20, the senior school provided bursaries at
the school’s sport club, commercial business and lettings) various entry points between ages 11 to 16 as well
turnover c. £2m annually, and this is forecast to increase. as bursaries in both the senior school and the junior
school to those who have a change of circumstances
£3.5m of assets are funds restricted to bursaries and which makes paying the fees difficult. Bursaries of up
another £3m are designated to bursaries; however, plans to 100% of the fees plus extras are available subject to
are in train for the setting up of an endowment fund to the candidate meeting the entrance requirements at
support bursaries in perpetuity, with the school currently 11+, 13+ or 16+. In the year ended 31st July 2020
committed to ringfencing an amount of surplus into the the Corporation gave fee remission for bursaries to
fund from 2024. The school has little debt, with the loan 65 pupils. Included in these figures are 100% bursaries
remaining from the masterplan project (£4.5m) due to awarded to 37 pupils. This is more than three times
be settled by 2024 at the latest. The £60m plus capital the number offered in 2010. Plans to launch a new
project masterplan just completed has been financed fundraising campaign to build up an endowment fund
via surplus, donations and prudent cash management. for bursaries have been drawn up but were postponed
Donations now bring in around £1m annually. due to the Covid-19 crisis.
13LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
When the school separated from King’s College The senior school cabinet meets weekly and is
London in 1909, the Corporation of King’s College currently made up of the head, the bursar, the principal
School was established. The Corporation is the statutory deputy and five further deputies, including the Director
entity which owns and manages the schools. There are of Overseas Schools.
currently around 760 members of the Corporation
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worldwide made up of governors, former pupils, parents In addition there is a senior management team (SMT)
and members of staff and people unconnected with the which also meets weekly and consists of the cabinet
school who have made a donation. The Corporation has plus seven assistant heads: three heads of section (sixth
devolved all its rights, responsibilities and powers to the form, middle school and lower school), the director of
governing body. It is a structure similar to a corporate studies, the head of teaching and learning, the head of
company where the members of the Corporation are IB and higher education/careers advice and the head of
pupil welfare. This is a broader group and a forum for
the shareholders (with more limited rights), the governing KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
body is the board of directors and the management communications and decision making.
board is the executive.
The governing body consists of up to 26 members,
of whom one, currently the Bishop of the Diocese
of Southwark, is an ex-officio member; 12 are
elected by the Corporation, four are appointed to
represent academic institutions and the remainder are
co-opted members.
The management board meets half-termly and is currently
made up of the head, the bursar, the head of the junior
school, the principal deputy, four senior school deputy
heads and the junior school pastoral deputy head. The
financial controller and compliance officer are non-
voting members.
14OUTLINE JOB DESCRIPTION
Reporting to the board of governors, the Head is • maintaining a strong relationship with the chair and the
responsible for the overall vision and direction of the governing body and ensuring that there is appropriate
Corporation’s schools and for the welfare and smooth- consultation with a constructive and open dialogue
running of their communities. The Head chairs the regarding such plans and their accountability;
school management board, the highest committee
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• working with the governing body and the bursar to
below governor level. S/he also leads cabinet, comprising
ensure a financial and development strategy which
the bursar and senior school deputies, and the senior
gives the schools the necessary resources and
management team. This consists of the bursar, the
safeguards in order to deliver such plans;
principal deputy, the academic deputy, the pastoral
deputy, the director of overseas schools and assistant • ensuring that high academic standards are sustained;
heads who in turn have responsibility for different • ensuring that the ethos and values of the schools
sections of school life. The head’s direct reports are are sustained; KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
the bursar, the principal deputy, the head of the junior
school, the senior school deputy heads and some other • engaging in and supporting the development of the
key academic and support staff. international schools programme;
• engaging in and supporting the development and
More specifically, the head’s key areas of responsibility monitoring of other non-fee income operations,
can be summarised as follows: including the commercialising of the online learning
platform, KCS Online;
Overall strategy • continuing to develop the bursary programme, the
• in conjunction with the governing body, determining King’s Partnership programme and building on the
and implementing the strategic vision and plans to set up an endowment fund in perpetuity;
development plans; • fostering strong relationships with members of the
Corporation and the King’s Fellowship.
15OUTLINE JOB DESCRIPTION (CONTINUED)
Leadership and management Educational leadership
• providing overall leadership to all staff, sustaining and • providing strong, visible and accessible leadership
developing amongst them a culture of excellence to the whole school community, overseeing the
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across all areas of school life and a deep commitment continual development of an appropriately challenging
and sense of involvement as part of a high-achieving, curriculum informed by high academic standards;
academic community;
• achieving academic excellence for all pupils, including
• chairing the management board, cabinet and the those who might need learning support, and creating
senior management team and working closely with an environment of continuous evaluation and
its members on the overall management and their innovation;
delegated areas of responsibility;
• taking overall responsibility for the provision of KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
• maintaining an excellent relationship with the head excellent pastoral care including safeguarding and
of the junior school to ensure collaboration and discipline;
cohesion in the King’s offering;
• ensuring the progress of individual pupils is properly
• taking responsibility, in conjunction with the bursar monitored and recorded;
and other senior staff, for compliance with all policies,
• participating actively, in conjunction with senior staff, in
procedures, legislation and regulations relevant to the
the recruitment of pupils most likely to benefit from
schools, including Health and Safety and safeguarding;
an education at King’s;
• promoting the interests and reputation of the schools
• overseeing procedures relating to assessment and
locally, nationally and internationally;
regulation, reporting on pupil performance and
• overseeing as required the selection and appointment progression;
of the bursar, the junior school head, and the head
• selecting, appointing and deploying the teaching staff;
of Wimbledon Common Prep School (“Squirrels”)
(all of whom are appointed by the Head and the • promoting a culture of reflective practice and ensuring
governing body); that proper standards of professional performance
are established and monitored;
• maintaining strong relationships and excellent
communication with parents.
16OUTLINE JOB DESCRIPTION (CONTINUED)
• promoting the professional development of teaching
staff through appropriate ongoing training and through
an effective appraisal system;
• overseeing the dismissal or suspension of teaching
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staff in accordance with disciplinary procedures;
• evaluating, developing and monitoring the standards
of teaching and learning and the curriculum to ensure
continued excellence in academic provision;
• evaluating, developing and monitoring the provision
of outstanding extra and co-curricular programmes.
KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
External engagement
• working with the development office to play a pivotal
role in the school’s future fundraising activities including
engaging with donors and attending key events;
• developing and enhancing relationships with the King’s
Fellowship, the King’s Association, including the Friends
of Kings and other stakeholders, including partnership
schools and feeder schools;
• fostering and developing links with leading universities
worldwide;
• undertaking any additional responsibilities and duties
that may reasonably be required by the governing
body.
17PERSON SPECIFICATION
The Head of King’s will have experience of leading and • be a strong and sincere public speaker able to address
managing a successful educational enterprise. a variety of audiences with equal success
• be forward-looking but discerning in terms of
The Head will:
selecting what is truly of value in a fast-changing
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• have strong academic credentials educational climate
• understand and support the values and ethos of • be an effective team leader, able to motivate, inspire
the schools and enable an excellent senior leadership team and
wider staff
• be committed to delivering outstanding academic,
co-curricular and pastoral provision • have the skills to appoint the very best people
• have courage, high expectations and inner steel
• be a natural and easy communicator with pupils, staff, KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
parents, the governors and alumni • be adept in the softer skills – the ability to listen,
• have the skills and integrity to win confidence and empathise and show compassion
trust from all stakeholders • be financially and commercially astute
• be an ambassador and advocate for King’s and all it • enjoy debate and challenge and be able to work
stands for – combining tradition with being at the effectively with the governors
cutting edge of educational development today
• be able to ensure that the schools are compliant with
• be a strategist and analyst with vision but also a all regulations
degree of pragmatism – ready and able to address the
• enjoy learning and have the sense of humility which
complex political, social and economic issues ahead
accompanies the desire and will to develop personally
• be skilled at managing change and professionally
• have a deep commitment to partnerships and • have a sense of joy and optimism in leading the
bursaries – with a strong sense of social responsibility King’s community.
• have a primary commitment to King’s in Wimbledon
but a broader interest in promoting and developing
the international schools
18TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A highly competitive [and negotiable] remuneration
package is available, with a salary commensurate with
the seniority of the post and the experience of the
successful candidate.
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• Family sized accommodation is available a short
distance from the school. (Services such as utilities,
cleaning and gardening are included in the package)
• Fee remission at King’s for the head’s children is
available subject to passing the relevant entrance
requirements.
• Private Healthcare Insurance
KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
King’s College 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 and Barring Service.
King’s College School is an equal opportunities employer
and is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
19APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates are asked to arrange an The process is as follows:
initial confidential discussion with Claire Oulton or
Holly Fitzgerald: • All applications will be acknowledged by email.
If you have not received acknowledgement that your
Claire Oulton application has been received within two working
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claireoulton@rsacademics.com days of sending it, please contact our Head Office
by telephone.
Holly Fitzgerald
hollyfitzgerald@rsacademics.com or 07801 522913 • Selected candidates will be invited to a meeting
with Claire Oulton and Holly Fitzgerald by Teams
The deadline for receipt of applications is 10.00am on Video Conferencing between Friday 23rd April and
Monday 19th April 2021. Wednesday 28th April.
• Those invited to Long List interviews (also by Teams
KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
Candidates should complete their application form
electronically and email it to RSAcademics, together with Video Conferencing) with members of the Governors’
a covering letter, addressed to The Chair of Governors, Selection Panel will be interviewed on Monday 10th
Lord Deighton, which explains their reasons for applying. May or Tuesday 11th May.
There is no need to submit a separate CV. • Final round interviews will take place with the
governors on Saturday 22nd May. There will be an
Please email your completed application form and opportunity for candidates to visit the school and
covering letter (both as PDF files please) to our meet key staff in between the long list and short
Operations Manager (Leadership Appointments), list (organised by arrangement with the school and
Jonathan Barnes, to: applications@rsacademics.com RSAcademics).
Jonathan can also be reached by calling our Head Office • Candidates who have any concerns about
on 01858 383163. confidentiality through the process should discuss this
with Claire Oulton.
We understand the need for confidentiality and all
discussions, applications and interviews will be handled
with very careful regard to this.
20Founded in 2002 by Russell Speirs, RSAcademics specialises
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in schools, in the UK and internationally. The company
advises on business strategy and strategic marketing,
development and fundraising, leadership consultancy
and the search and selection of Heads, Chairs of Boards,
Bursars and other senior staff. Comprising a team of
exceptional talent and experience, RSAcademics provides
a high-quality service to schools with rigour, expertise and
KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON
warmth. RSAcademics is committed to promoting diversity
and inclusion in schools. Please visit www.rsacademics.com
for more information.
21You can also read
