Head Teacher

St Paul's Girls' School; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious grammar school in Tonbridge is seeking a highly driven leader to enhance its academic excellence and inclusivity. The role requires a proven record in senior leadership, supporting team development, and managing educational change. Successful candidates will align with the school’s values and drive continued high performance. Applicants from all education sectors are welcomed, with a strong emphasis on diversity in hiring. The application deadline is February 25, 2026, with preliminary interviews scheduled for late February.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of successful senior leadership as Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher.
• Strong focus on diversity, equality, and inclusion.
• Demonstrable experience in leading and managing teams effectively.
• Capability to manage change and lead school-wide innovations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the school ensuring high academic achievement and well-being.
• Support and empower colleagues while managing teams.
• Drive change to enhance the school's performance.

Skills

Successful senior leadership experience

Alignment with diversity, equality, and inclusion

Experience leading outstanding teams

Change management and innovation

Job description

This is an exceptional opportunity for a highly driven, approachable and versatile professional to lead this highly successful grammar school.

For September 2026 (January 2027 to be considered for the right candidate)

State Grammar School (Single Academy Trust) Roll: 1170

Tonbridge Grammar School is a high-achieving, selective grammar school with academy status, educating girls between the ages of 11 and 16, and girls and boys in the Sixth Form. Our vibrant school community is a place where students and staff are encouraged to be the very best that they can be, in a nurturing and kind climate where wellbeing is at the top of the agenda. A culture of high academic achievement is combined with a warm, inclusive culture and an exciting holistic programme of activities and experiences.

Set on a hillside overlooking Tonbridge, the school has good public transport and road links, whilst also being minutes from the Kent countryside.

The experienced, committed and supportive trustees seek a leader with:

• A proven track record of successful senior leadership experience gained as a Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher.
• A strong alignment with Tonbridge Grammar School’s focus on diversity, equality and inclusion in all that the School does.
• Demonstrable experience of leading and managing outstanding teams and supporting and empowering colleagues.
• Experience of managing successful change and transition, as well as leading innovation at a whole school level.

The successful candidate will be ready to lead change which will further enhance the school, whilst maintaining the excellence for which we are already renown; TGS was placed 3 rd in the South East and 14 th in the UK in the 2026 Times Parent Power State Secondary School league table and was judged outstanding for overall effectiveness following an OFSTED inspection in December 2024. They will furthermore embody the values of inclusivity, authenticity and interconnectedness that allow our students to thrive in an environment that allows us to ‘educate able students for life’ in a rapidly changing local, national and international landscape.

No previous experience of working in a grammar school is necessary and we welcome applicants from both state and independent sectors. We are committed to advancing diversity among our staff to reflect that of our student body and therefore we particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups.

In the first instance, interested candidates are warmly invited to contact RSAcademics to discussion about the role:

The deadline for receipt of applications is 10.00am UK time on Wednesday 25 th February 2026.

Applications should be made electronically to RSAcademics. To submit your application, please click on “Apply Now ” and upload your documents according to the instructions provided.

You should submit the format):

• a completed application form
• a covering letter addressed to Sarah Rolls, Chair of Trustees. The letter should explain your reasons for applying.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Jonathan Barnes, Head of Operations (Leadership Appointments) at: [e-mail] . Jonathan can also be reached by calling our Head Office on [phone].

Tonbridge Grammar School is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

The safeguarding responsibilities of this post are detailed in the candidate information brochure.

RSAcademics is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 10.00am UK time on Wednesday 25th February 2026

Preliminary interviews will take place with RSAcademics on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th February via MS Teams

Short list interviews will take place at the School between Monday 16th and Wednesday 18th March.