Director of Education, International

Location: Uppingham

Salary: £80,000 - £95,000 per annum

Location:

Uppingham, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 9QE
(significant international travel required)

Working pattern:
Full-time, permanent

About the role

Uppingham International Schools (UIS) is creating its first Director of Education post. You will shape the educational vision and quality assurance framework for a growing family of international schools, taking Uppingham’s educational ethos to established schools in Cairo and Vietnam and to future international developments.

Uppingham School is one of the UK’s leading independent schools, known for academic excellence, character development and strong pastoral care. As UIS expands, you will uphold these values and keep educational standards consistently high while responding to the different local contexts of each school.

You will report to the International Executive Board (IEB) as its principal educational adviser. The role is based at Uppingham School in Rutland.

What you’ll be doing

Providing strategic leadership, independent assurance and constructive challenge to the IEB on educational standards, safeguarding, curriculum and school leadership

Developing and leading the UIS Standards Framework and Quality Assurance Visit programme, creating a consistent way to evaluate educational performance, identify improvement priorities and share effective practice

Advising on senior leadership appointments and development

Advising on curriculum standards and accreditation

Assessing the educational readiness of prospective and new schools

Working closely with the Executive Director, overseas Heads, governors and partners so that every school delivers an ambitious, high-quality education

What you’ll bring

Senior school leadership experience, such as Deputy Head, Head, Principal, Executive Head or Director of Education, with a proven record of raising standards, leading school improvement and shaping educational strategy

Significant experience in an international or similarly complex educational environment

A strong background in quality assurance, inspection, accreditation or school review

The expertise to evaluate performance, strengthen safeguarding, develop curriculum standards and support the growth of senior leaders

The credibility to engage Heads, governors and trustees, and the independence of judgement to offer challenging, evidence-based advice

The ability to balance group-wide standards with the cultural, educational and regulatory contexts of individual schools

An unwavering commitment to pupil welfare and safeguarding

Experience of international school accreditation, new-school development, educational partnerships, or bilingual and multilingual settings is advantageous, as is a postgraduate qualification in education or leadership.

What’s on offer

Contributory pension scheme

30 working days’ annual leave plus public holidays that fall out of term time

Business-class travel for agreed annual long-haul international journeys, plus a stipend covering travel costs

Professional development and leadership opportunities

Death in service cover of three times annual salary

Westfield health care package and Westfield Rewards discounts

In-house Occupational Health Service and free annual influenza jabs

Cycle to work scheme

Free staff lunches in term-time

Free membership of the dual-use Sports Centre (£25 annual admin fee)

Discounted day place fees for children of staff

Discount at a local nursery in Uppingham and 25% off holiday club fees

Complimentary staff tickets for select School performances

Working arrangements

Normal hours are Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week in term-time and 35 hours per week in school holidays. Out-of-hours and weekend work will be required in term-time, in line with the seniority of the role. Up to 5 days of leave must be taken over the Christmas period. Public holidays in term-time are normal working days, with a day off in lieu given at another time.

Most holiday should be taken during school holidays, although ad hoc days off are permitted in term-time.

Additional information

Closing date: 9:00am, Monday 9 November 2026

Interview dates: week commencing 16 November 2026

Uppingham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful candidates must be willing to undergo full screening in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE), including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Safeguarding and the welfare of pupils will be explored at interview