Head

Founded in 1883, St Christopher’s is one of London’s leading preparatory schools, educating some 250 girls aged 4 to 11. The School is situated within the peaceful residential area of Belsize Park and delivers a first-class education with distinct values of creativity, curiosity, challenge, kindness and community. St Christopher’s is an ambitious, kind and warm community created through an equal love of intellectual curiosity and freedom of creativity.

Pupils flourish in a stimulating and child-centred environment where independent learning is firmly encouraged. Through a personalised academic approach, girls grow a passion for learning that sees them achieve exceptional academic results and go on to some of the leading senior schools in London and further afield.

The Board of Governors now seek to appoint an inspirational leader to succeed Ms Sandrine Paillasse, who is moving to Paris, after four years of exceptional leadership. This is a rare opportunity at an exciting time for St Christopher’s. In recent years, the School has seen significant modernisation and development and was rated ‘excellent’ in all areas of its recent ISI report. The next Head will inherit strong foundations and in close partnership with a committed Board, realise ambitious plans to continue to develop St Christopher’s as a school at the forefront of educational and creative excellence.

The successful candidate will be a warm, dynamic and engaging educator with the clarity of vision and strategic abilities to lead St Christopher’s with purpose and ambition. The candidate will demonstrate full alignment with the School’s educational aims and values and be able to blend its existing strengths with new ideas, professionalism and an appetite for creative thinking. The new Head will have first-class communication skills alongside a proven ability to engage with, inspire and lead the whole St Christopher’s community with a collaborative and empowering approach. The Head will also have a commitment to all-girls education, with a clear grasp of current and potential future opportunities and challenges.

Further information on St Christopher’s can be found at: www.stchristophers.london  

How to apply

The search for a new Head at St Christopher’s School is being led by Odgers Berndtson and the new postholder will be selected by a committee chaired by the Chair of Governors. 

The closing date for applications is 09:00 BST Friday 3 May.

• Initial interviews with Odgers Berndtson will take place w/c 13 May.
• Shortlist interviews with the Selection Panel will take place on Tuesday 11 June.
• Candidates invited to the final stage will be invited to have briefing visits to the school 13 or 14 June ahead of a final interview which will take place on Thursday 20 June.

In order to apply, please submit a comprehensive CV and a covering letter which sets out your interest in the role and encapsulates the aspects of your experience relevant to the required criteria.

Please include the names and addresses of three referees. Referees will not be approached until the final stages and not without prior permission from candidates.

The preferred method of application is online at:

www.odgers.com/91117

All applications will receive an automated response.

For a conversation in confidence, please contact:

Peter Lawrence: +44 (0) 207 529 3055

peter.lawrence@odgersberndtson.com

Lydia Haldane: +44 (0) 131 563 5414

lydia.haldane@odgersberndtson.com

St Christopher’s School 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 and Barring Service.