Residential Head of Sixth Form

The Residential Head of Sixth Form (RHSF) will have the exciting opportunity to build a Sixth Form culture in the newly established College  development of the College is a pivotal juncture for the School, and the successful candidate will have considerable opportunity to innovate and to add significant impact. They will report directly to the Senior Deputy Head and work in close collaboration with Deputy Heads Pastoral, Co-curricular and Personal Development, and Academic.

The overarching aim of the College setup is to prepare the Sixth Form for their transition to life beyond school and to empower them to make apposite decisions about their own futures. The Residential Head of Sixth Form will have oversight of the personal and academic development of all Sixth Form pupils, leading Sixth Form tutoring provision and coordinating all applications to Higher Education providers.

They will also hold pastoral responsibility for all pupils in the Upper Sixth at Canford upon their transfer from Day and Boarding Houses to the College. This pastoral role includes oversight of all aspects of the boarding provision in the two College Residences (opening Sept 2026) and management of the Residential Life team, ensuring that boarding standards are met and that the provision of social, life skills and wellbeing activities for the whole Sixth Form is delivered to a high standard.

1. Strategic leadership and innovation

- Ensure that the Sixth Form provision in the College is innovative, intentional and thoughtfully aligned with its overarching vision and ethos, which is to provide pupils with an inspiring, holistic foundation for adult life.

- Collaborate with Senior Leaders in shaping the long-term vision for Sixth Form and the College, in alignment with the school’s wider strategic aims

- In partnership with the Director of External Relations, develop an ongoing marketing and recruitment strategy for the College, ensuring that the Sixth Form offering is in line with school objectives and market demand

- Foster close links with universities and higher education institutions to ensure that the College provision is an appropriate stepping stone for life beyond school

- Lead and support the dedicated team of Sixth Form tutors, ensuring that tutoring provision is of consistent high quality and supportive of the personal and academic development of all pupils

- Foster a culture where pupils are empowered to take increasing responsibility for themselves (with a particular focus on their wellbeing and decision making) whilst at the same time feeling confident to access the systems of support available to them.

- Be a frequent and visible presence across both College Residences and the College Hub, forging positive relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues

- Ensure that systems are in place to regularly capture pupil voice and ensure that the offering in the College Hub and Residences is dynamic and responsive to pupil need.

- Promote and support the delivery of the Beyond the Gates programme for the Sixth Form, which encompasses PSHE, Careers and enrichment

3. Futures Pathways and academic oversight

- Work in close collaboration with the Assistant Head Academic in support of pupils’ academic progress and engagement, implementing supportive interventions where appropriate

- Coordinate all applications to Higher Education providers, developing a department responsive to demand for applications to overseas universities as well as UK institutions

- Manage and oversee the UCAS process, working in close partnership with the Head of Futures, Sixth Form Tutors, the Careers Lead and key academic colleagues

- Oversee and develop, in collaboration with lead teachers, innovative and effective preparation programmes for specialist future pathways including, but not limited to, Oxbridge, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Art and Design, Creative Arts.

- In collaboration with the team of Careers and Higher Education advisers, offer guidance on future pathways

- Contribute to Futures team initiatives and events

4. Pastoral and Residential care

- Work in close collaboration with the Deputy Head Pastoral, Safeguarding…