Principal Deputy Head

St Paul's Girls' School; Horsham; On-site; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious boarding school in the UK is seeking a Principal Deputy Head to oversee daily operations and strategic priorities. The ideal candidate will have strong academic credentials and proven leadership skills. The role involves ensuring the well-being of staff and students while maintaining the school's high standards. A competitive remuneration package is offered, including on-site accommodation. Applications are encouraged from a diverse range of candidates, reflecting the school's inclusive ethos.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package including accommodation

Qualifications

• Strong academic and intellectual credentials.
• Broad experience at senior level.
• Proven leadership ability.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the day-to-day running of the school.
• Delivery of strategic priorities and performance management.
• Act as deputy to the Head and CEO.

Job description

Christ’s Hospital seeks to appoint an outstanding educationalist as Principal Deputy Head. The successful candidate will have strong academic and intellectual credentials, broad experience at senior level and proven leadership ability.

Christ’s Hospital, which nestles in 1200 acres of stunning West Sussex countryside between London and Brighton, is a large and complex boarding school accommodating 850 students. The mission of the school, which has stood for over 470 years, is to challenge inequality by providing a nurturing, transformative education for young people from all backgrounds. The school prides itself on its academic excellence, rich history, charitable ethos, stunning buildings and site, rewarding work environment and diverse community.

The wider curriculum, to which all teaching staff are expected to contribute, is rich and varied and provides a remarkably wide range of educational experiences to the students, all of which have challenge and opportunity at their core.

The school takes pride in being the most diverse independent school in the UK, where individuals from all backgrounds come together to share experiences and broaden perspectives. The students come from London and the southeast and, increasingly, from further afield in the UK; students from overseas, including Hong Kong, China, Japan and Europe are also welcome. The school’s commitment to social and cultural diversity fosters an inclusive environment, preparing students to navigate a globalised world with kindness, inclusivity, responsibility, perseverance and individuality.

The Principal Deputy Head will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the school, the delivery of strategic priorities, and the performance and wellbeing of staff and students. They will act as deputy to the Head and CEO and, in close collaboration with the COO and the team of deputies, will ensure continuity of leadership, operational excellence and disciplined execution of the school’s aim and mission. The position would suit someone who has a profound interest in educational leadership and is likely, in due course, to be considered for a headship.

Applications are welcome from all sectors of the community. The school aspires to attract staff that match the cultural diversity of the student body.

A highly competitive remuneration package including family accommodation on site is available, commensurate with the seniority of the role and the experience of the successful candidate.

Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics in the first instance to arrange a confidential discussion with:

The closing date for applications is Monday 23rd February 2026 at 10.00am.

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 following (both in PDF format):

• A completed Application Form.
• A covering letter addressed to Matthew Judd, Head & CEO. The letter should be a maximum of two pages and should explain your reasons for applying and outline your suitability for the role.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Laura Cave, Project Coordinator, at [e-mail] . Laura can also be reached by calling our Head Office on [phone].

N.B. Safer recruitment checks will be made at all stages in the recruitment process.

• Christ’s Hospital is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & 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 safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.

The deadline for receipt of the application is 10.00am on Monday 23 February 2026

Preliminary Interviews will take place via MS Teams with RSAcademics on the Thursday 26 and Friday 27 February 2026

Long List interviews with the Selection panel will take place via MS Teams on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 March 2026

A visit to the School shall be arranged for the Short List candidates in the week commencing Monday 16 March 2026

Short List interviews with the full Selection Panel will take place at the school on Monday 23 March 2026