St Mary's, Colchester
Essex
Salary:
Competitive
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Apply by:
31 October 2025
Job overview
St Mary's is looking for an exceptional new Principal: a leader who will be aspirational and dynamic, provide professional leadership for all staff at the school, and maintain an environment where pupils can thrive, learn and achieve and one which encourages high expectations and achievements among all pupils.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone to contribute to the overall direction, management and development of St Mary's. We are seeking an individual who will bring their own ideas and aspirations for what St Mary's can achieve in the future whilst valuing its distinctive heritage and upholding its core ethos and values, which the community has come to expect from the school.
The next Principal will be able to demonstrate a strategic approach to policy and planning, higher-order management skills and business acumen. They will bring substantial experience of successful leadership in education, equipping them to lead an experienced and committed Senior Leadership Team and staff and to command respect from the whole-school community.
The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the Governors and the Senior Leadership Team to prioritise the key strategic areas for the development of the school into the future and will provide clear and inspirational leadership to all to ensure that the school's development objectives are achieved.
St Mary's is an independent all-girls' day school in north Essex for girls age 4–16. We also have a Kindergarten for children age 2–4.
We provide an enlightened, empowering and complete education, designed specifically for girls to thrive. We challenge our pupils academically, creatively and physically. With small class sizes and high standards, our focus is on individual success. Our environment is safe in every respect – to experiment and question, to take risks and follow passions, to innovative and lead – free of judgement and stereotypes, and full of respect and support. So when our pupils move on to their next steps in education, they are empowered to rise to the challenges and opportunities the world presents.
We are proud that the Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) rated St Mary's as excellent in our last inspection. The key findings emphasised the high levels of attainment across the curriculum for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), in National Curriculum tests for Year 6 and at GCSE level. We were delighted that our emphasis on the importance of pastoral care was also documented by inspectors.
St Mary's was recently shortlisted for the Independent Girls' School of the Year 2025, as part of the highly respected Independent Schools of the Year Awards. Being shortlisted for this national award is a powerful recognition of our commitment to delivering exceptional, girl-centred education.
Our commitment at the Lower School to high-quality provision for more able learners within the context of challenge for all was also recognised by the National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE) in our reaccreditation of the NACE Challenge Award. The Sunday Times ranked St Mary's Lower School as the 12th highest-performing preparatory school in England. Many girls receive scholarships to senior school. In addition, we have an impressive 11 pass rate for those who choose to sit the exam and are the largest feeder to Colchester County High School for Girls.
Using our expertise in educating girls and the latest research, we empower girls at our Senior School by inspiring them to see the world as one full of limitless possibilities and by equipping them with the knowledge, experiences and skills needed to thrive at St Mary's and beyond. We see strong GCSE results each year, and last year, The Sunday Times ranked St Mary's Senior School as the top-performing in Essex and 16th nationally for independent secondary schools without a sixth form. We have a strong reputation, and more girls age 11–16 attend St Mary's Senior School than any other independent school within a 20-mile drive.
If you believe that you can rise to the broad and challenging expectations of the role and you have a genuine desire to work in an environment that has the needs of its students at heart, the Governing Body look forward to hearing from you.
St Mary's School has engaged the services of RSAcademics to assist with the recruitment of the next Principal.
Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics in the first instance to arrange a confidential discussion with:
* Helen Flower, Search Consultant:
* Sarah Evans, Senior Advisor:
For further information about the role and details of how to apply, please visit:
Closing date: 10.00am on Friday 31 October 2025.
St Mary's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All candidates must be willing to undergo enhanced child protection screening. Please visit:
to read our Application & Recruitment process explanatory notes. The appointment is subject to the School's Safer Recruitment procedure.
Attached documents
School prospectus
2.92MB
Recruiter contact:
Email us
Call us
About St Mary's, Colchester
St Mary's, Colchester
91 Lexden Road, Colchester
Essex
CO3 3RB
United Kingdom
St Mary's is an independent day school in Colchester, Essex for girls age 3-16 and boys age 3-4. We are proud to have charitable status, meaning all fees are reinvested into the school. We are also truly independent, with no owners or shareholders, and are overseen by a committed governing body who help ensure we provide a high quality education and a happy learning environment.
Principal
Mrs Nicola Griffiths
Values and vision
At St Mary's, we are totally committed to providing children with an education that will prove to be a solid foundation for a whole lifetime of personal fulfilment. For young people to thrive, learn and achieve, they must feel content, relaxed and secure. At St Mary's each individual is known and understood and there is a culture in the school community - our staff as well as our pupils - of caring for each other, celebrating successes and working through difficulties. In this environment, our young people develop the strength of character and the self-confidence they need to make the very most of the life that lies ahead.
Independent Schools Inspectorate
"The school is successful in meeting its aims to develop pupils who are self-confident, articulate, balanced and civilised, and who enjoy acquiring knowledge and skills"
View St Mary's School's latest ISI report
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