Deputy Head; Academic)

Old Swinford Hospital (OSH) is seeking a dynamic and inspirational leader to become our Deputy Head (Academic) from April 2027. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to join one of the country’s leading state boarding schools at a particularly dynamic and ambitious moment in its recent history and development.

OSH is a warm, inclusive and upbeat school community, where teachers enjoy teaching motivated and interesting young people in a calm and orderly atmosphere.

We enjoy a very good academic reputation, but we are not all about league tables. This school prides itself on a balance of academic achievement and outstanding opportunity for our students to develop as well-rounded people.

OSH is so much more than an 11‑18 state school. It is a vibrant and morally driven community that seeks to send out into the wider world young people who can genuinely make a difference to the common good. Our former pupils may be found in Parliament; the media; the military; medicine; banking and finance; public service; science and research; the creative arts and the law.

What they all have in common is an optimism about who and what they are, and what just what they can achieve. They are both aspirational and humble. We work hard to keep them grounded, but always aiming high.

The environment, both in and out of the classroom, for pupils to grow, develop and enjoy their schooling, is underpinned by a deep commitment and can‑do attitude shared by our staff, from teachers to cooks and sports coaches to the medical team.

The Deputy Head (Academic) is a key senior leadership role at Old Swinford Hospital. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Deputy Head (Academic) will work closely with the Headmaster and colleagues to provide leadership across the School and ensure that our academic provision and student achievement remain of the highest standard, enabling every one of them to fulfil their potential.

The successful candidate will be the School's academic leader, driving excellence across curriculum, teaching, learning, assessment and student outcomes. They will support, develop and hold accountable Heads of Departments, focusing on high standards of curriculum planning, teaching, learning and assessment across the whole school. The successful applicant will also play a key role in the School’s strategic development and is expected to be a driving force behind the generation of new ideas and opportunities that will shape the School's future.

The post‑holder will combine an ambitious and innovative vision for the school’s academic future with the emotional intelligence required to motivate, inspire, develop and empower a dedicated, talented and highly committed teaching team. Above all, they will be a visible, inspiring presence within the school, championing excellence in teaching, learning, and scholarship while embodying the values of OSH.

The successful candidate will serve on the Senior Leadership Team as one of two Deputies, supporting the Headmaster directly in all aspects of strategic planning and leadership of the school.

The Senior Leadership Team comprises:
The Headmaster, Deputy Head (Pastoral), Deputy Head (Academic), Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning), Assistant Head (Head of 6th Form), Assistant Head (Director of Safeguarding), and the Bursar.

• Be an outstanding classroom practitioner with a strong track record of academic leadership
• Have experience of leading curriculum development and improving student outcomes
• Proven leadership skills and senior or middle management experience
• Ability to make use of appropriate data to analyse the performance of students and set targets
• Proficiency in the…