Job Overview Head of Papplewick School Job reference: TBUJA Closing date: Tuesday 23rd September Papplewick School is an independent preparatory school for boys aged 6-13, founded in 1947 and set on 15 acres opposite Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire. The school educates approximately 200 boys as day pupils, weekly boarders, and full boarders, maintaining a distinctive ethos where happiness comes first whilst challenging boys to achieve their very best across all areas of school life. The school's approach centres on cultivating enthusiasm, celebrating individuality, and maintaining high academic standards. Recent outcomes demonstrate this philosophy's effectiveness: approximately 50% of boys secure awards and scholarships to leading senior schools including Eton, Harrow, and Winchester, despite non-selective entry. The co-curricular programme is extensive, with over 1000 sporting fixtures annually and Thursday afternoons dedicated to diverse activities that change termly. The Head of Papplewick School will provide strategic and operational leadership of this close-knit community, upholding the school's STAG values of service, tenacity, achievement, and growth. This role requires authentic leadership that preserves the school's essential character while guiding its continued development. Key responsibilities include maintaining academic excellence and scholarship success; leading staff development and professional excellence; overseeing pastoral care, boarding provision, and the House system; and building strong relationships with parents, senior schools, and the wider community. The successful candidate will have proven senior leadership experience in the independent sector, preferably in a preparatory school environment. The role demands genuine appreciation of how boys develop during the crucial years from 6-13, understanding of boarding education, and commitment to single-sex education's particular benefits at this developmental stage. Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Papplewick School on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit https://www.saxbam.com/candidate-opportunities/ using reference TBUJA. Applications should be received by noon on Tuesday 23rd September.