Fixed Term Contract for Two Years
About the Role
Founded in 1870, the Natural History Society (NHS) is among the very oldest of Winchester College’s societies. The arrival of Duncan Stewart, in 2003, saw the NHS acquire a new lease of life, after somewhat lean times, and become the best-supported society in the school. A full programme of termly trips was instigated, the library was restocked and equipment updated. Duncan’s enthusiasm and determination set a template for others to follow.
Duncan Stewart (G, 2003-08) was just eighteen when he was tragically killed as a passenger in a car accident. He had been working as a marine biologist during his gap year in Argyll. Growing up in Scotland, Duncan had a passion for the outdoors and particularly enjoyed scuba diving, tennis, snorkelling, birdwatching, and climbing. He was able to pursue his love of fishing at Winchester with many summer days and evenings spent on the River Itchen. Duncan kept meticulous journals and notebooks of his observations in nature and worked on organising the Winchester College Natural History collections, helping to organise, index, collate and make extensive drawings of the specimens. Duncan invited Sir David Attenborough to speak to the NHS. As a result of this, Sir David subsequently became the society's Honorary President and remains an Honorary Patron to this day. Duncan wrote in his invitation letter to Sir David:
‘The Winchester College NHS aims to educate the boys about the extraordinary biodiversity of Hampshire, southern England and the world.’
David and Kim Stewart have worked extensively with the school to build a legacy for Duncan's passion for the natural world. In 2009, the College established the annual Duncan Louis Stewart Natural History Lecture. In 2015, the Stewart family and other generous donors endowed Winchester with a fund to support the Duncan Louis Stewart Fellowship in Natural History in his memory. The aim of the fellowship is to make the natural world relevant to all pupils, in all areas of study. It encourages Wykehamists to observe, study, comprehend and care about the natural world around them, to attract and encourage polymathic thinking and discussion about our shared natural world. The Fellow will work alongside all departments.
Key aim of the Duncan Louis Stewart Fellowship in Natural History:
To engender the largest possible number of pupils a deeper knowledge, love and respect for, ecology, the environment and the natural world around them.
Role and Responsibilities
The key role and responsibility of the Fellow will be to inspire and facilitate the pupils, and the school, as we grow and increase our contribution to, and general awareness of the natural world around us. Winchester College aims to contribute to caring for and protecting our natural world and planet well beyond our own boundaries.
Person Specification and Key Qualities
Essential
The successful candidate will be/have:
* A passion for natural history evidenced through either higher academic study, research and publications, the media or through professional pursuits.
* Extensive knowledge and experience of wildlife and practical study of natural history.
* The ability to enthuse and stimulate interest in young people and convey this knowledge effectively.
* Be on hand to fulfil the job requirements, both locally and further afield.
* Be a proactive person able to work alone and generate ideas and put them into practice effectively.
* Be a good communicator able to converse with a wide range of people.
* It is also expected that the Duncan Louis Stewart Fellow in Natural History will have a relevant honours degree or equivalent and have current contacts with wildlife organisations.
Key Qualities
The successful candidate will be/have:
* A commitment to the pastoral values of the school.
* Enjoyment of young people’s company.
* Emotional intelligence and the ability to empathise with both staff and pupils.
* A welcoming and friendly demeanour for all visitors to the College.
* The ability to build strong and effective relationships with pupils, parents, other Housemaster/mistress and other school-wide colleagues.
* Calm, patient and the ability to make decisions under pressure.
* The ability to delegate and use initiative.
* High levels of energy, enthusiasm and reliability.
* Excellent behaviour management skills.
* Organisational and administrative skills.
* The resilience and stamina needed to deal with the demands of boarding school life.
* Commitment to promoting and embedding an inclusive culture, with equality of opportunity for all.
Benefits, Terms and Conditions and Application
Start Date
The College is looking to make an appointment to start in September 2026. Exact start date is negotiable.
Salary
The salary will be in circa £33,000 per annum. Salary levels are reviewed annually on 1 September, and this salary will next be reviewed in September 2027.
Hours of Work
This is a full-time role during term time, 32 weeks of the year, with an element of work during the holiday period not exceeding 4 weeks per academic programme. Normal working hours will be 37.5 hours per week spread over mostly Monday to Friday with occasional Saturdays (e.g. Wykeham Day and fieldtrips). This will usually include one later evening (staying until approximately 10pm) each week. The school is open for approximately 26 Saturdays during the year.
Annual Leave
This position benefits from the school holidays.
Wider Benefits
* Free staff lunches during term time.
* Free membership of Edapt, providing legal support, confidential counselling and other services.
* Free use of some sports facilities and discounted hire charges for others.
* Tour of the College, with discounted rates available for booking venues within the school’s grounds for hospitality events.
* Cycle to work scheme.
* Free access to an ongoing cycle of cultural, musical, theatrical and sporting talks and events.
* Employee Referral Scheme, with a reward of up to £250 for staff (subject to scheme conditions).
* Free Library membership with access to a range of online journals and magazines.
* Reduced green fee rates for local golf course.
How to Apply
Only applications completed on the school website will be accepted. Please attach a full CV with your application.
Please note that applications will be dealt with as they arrive. Winchester College reserves the right to appoint before the deadline passes.
Closing date for applications: 11.59pm, 27 May 2026.
Shortlisting will take place as applications are received. We expect interviews to take place during the weeks commencing Monday 1 or 8 June 2026.
Those wishing for an informal conversation about this role are invited to speak to Matt Rogers, Head of Science, mjr@wincoll.ac.uk .
If you have any questions about this vacancy or the recruitment process, please email recruitment@wincoll.ac.uk
Disclosure Check
As Winchester College is an educational establishment, a condition of employment will be that the successful candidate must consent to the school obtaining an Enhanced Level Disclosure Check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This will reveal all spent and unspent convictions, warnings, cautions and bind-overs. A policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on the school’s website.
Safeguarding is one of the primary responsibilities of this role. The jobholder is responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact with, and will need to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy at all times. The postholder should be conversant with the responsibilities and procedures detailed in this policy and with the Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the postholder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, they must report any concerns to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, or in their absence, the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.
Diversity and Inclusion
We embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace and are committed to promoting a fair and supportive environment for all our employees. We are keen to welcome applications from all applicants that feel that they meet the requirements of the role, regardless of their background and culture.