Assistant Head (Sixth Form)

Start date: January 2027 Salary: Culford has its own pay scale. Salary will also be dependent on qualifications and experience. Application deadline: Friday 28th August 2026 Early Applications are strongly encouraged. The School reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitable candidate prior to the closing date. Reports to: Senior Deputy Head Works closely with: Deputy Head (Academic), Deputy Head (Pastoral and Boarding), Head of Careers, Head of Learning for Life Line manages: Head of Careers, Sixth Form Tutors (and Heads of Department, as allocated) Key Student Relationships: Head Prefects, Prefect Team, Sixth Form Committees Role Overview The Assistant Head (Sixth Form) provides inspiring strategic and operational leadership across Years 12 and 13, ensuring an ambitious, supportive, and intellectually rigorous environment that prepares pupils for academic excellence, career-readiness, top-tier university entry, and leadership in an evolving global landscape. Beyond leading the Sixth Form culture and pastoral team, the post-holder serves as an integral member of the Senior Leadership Team. In this capacity, they will contribute directly to whole-school strategic planning, wider policy and practice, and the overarching educational vision, ensuring that the Sixth Form experience seamlessly drives and reflects the broader ambitions of the Senior School. Key Responsibilities Strategic & Whole-School Leadership (SLT)

• Lead the vision, ethos, and strategic priorities for Years 12 and 13, bringing an innovative approach to ensure the Sixth Form offer is industry-leading.
• Contribute directly to whole-school strategic development and policy, and senior operational management.
• Represent the School publicly at open mornings, external educational forums, and alumni events.
• Collaborate across key stages to ensure smooth transition into post-16 study.
Day-to-Day Operations & Student Culture
• Lead the daily running of the Sixth Form, ensuring rigorous routines around attendance, punctuality, conduct, and student support.
• Build relationships based on mutual respect, serving as the first point of referral for complex pastoral or academic matters beyond the tutor.
• Maintain clear, proactive communication with students, parents, guardians, and boarding staff.
• Oversee and ensure smooth coordination of key Sixth Form calendar events, including induction, information evenings, UCAS deadlines, mock examinations, and leavers' activities.
• Promote a mature, self-regulated culture centred on personal responsibility and agency.
Pastoral Leadership & Boarding Integration
• Work closely with the Deputy Head (Pastoral and Boarding) and Assistant Head (Safeguarding and Wellbeing) to ensure exceptional safeguarding, boarding integration, and holistic pastoral care.
• Working closely with key colleagues, design and oversee targeted pastoral interventions, mentoring frameworks, and individual support plans.
Academic Monitoring & Study Skills
• Collaborate with the Deputy Head (Academic) to track academic progress, identify underperformance early, and coordinate high-impact interventions.
• Lead a structured study skills programme that builds independent research habits, academic resilience, and intellectual curiosity.
• Oversee Year 12 academic onboarding to ensure rapid settling and high engagement from term one.
Futures, UCAS, & Higher Education
• Work closely with the Head of Careers to deliver a high-quality and ambitious futures programme covering UCAS, Oxbridge, US and international admissions, degree apprenticeships, and competitive pathways.
• Oversee the UCAS application cycle, ensuring rigorous reference writing, timely submissions, and bespoke personal statement guidance.
• Lead university preparation initiatives, including entrance test readiness, interview coaching, and academic extension.
Sixth Form Curriculum, Enrichment, & "Ready for Life"
• Direct and lead the Sixth Form Learning for Life curriculum, embedding financial literacy, digital citizenship, wellbeing, and executive function skills.
• Oversee a vibrant Sixth Form enrichment calendar including visiting speaker series, academic symposia, trips, and co-curricular opportunities.
• Establish partnerships with external organisations, universities, and industries to expand learning beyond A-Level and Technical specifications.
• Work closely with the Head of Service and Charities to ensure Sixth Form students contribute meaningfully to the wider community both in School, locally and beyond.
Student Voice & Leadership Development
• Mentor and guide the Head Prefects and wider Prefect Team, structured around authentic leadership development and service.
• Oversee Sixth Form committees and pupil-led whole-school events.
• Create broad-based leadership opportunities so non-prefects also develop teamwork, project management, and public speaking skills.
• Promote a culture of responsibility, service, and student agency
Team Leadership & Line Management
• Lead, develop, and support the Sixth Form tutor team, driving consistent standards in pastoral tracking and academic mentoring.
• Plan and deliver regular briefing sessions, tutor meetings, and targeted professional development.
• Line manage designated Heads of Department as allocated by the Senior Deputy Head.
Person Specification and Core Competencies Essential Criteria
• Direct Sixth Form Leadership Experience: Proven track record of operational and strategic leadership within a Sixth Form environment, with demonstrable impact on pupil outcomes and culture.
• Admissions & Futures Expertise: Deep, practical command of the UCAS framework and systems, competitive university admissions (including Oxbridge and global applications), and post-18 pathways.
• Pastoral & Academic Integration: Substantial expertise in managing complex post-16 pastoral issues, safeguarding, and academic tracking systems.
• Outstanding Classroom Practice: Evidence of exemplary teaching and deep engagement with current educational research.
• Proven Innovation: Evidence of designing and successfully implementing new academic, enrichment, or pastoral initiatives from scratch evidencing end-to-end delivery in a previous setting.
• Strategic Capability & Project Delivery: Proven capacity to think whole-school, work collaboratively with senior colleagues, and contribute to wider policy. Demonstrates robust project management skills, with a track record of delivering major initiatives and events on time, on budget, and with rigorous follow-through.
• Integrity, Judgment & Professional Credibility: Demonstrates high ethical standards, sound executive judgment, and discretionary decision-making in complex or sensitive situations. Proven ability to earn widespread authority and trust across staff, parents, and pupils through principled and transparent leadership.
• Engaging Communication & Public Representation: Exceptional interpersonal and public speaking skills, able to act as a compelling, articulate spokesperson for the School. Combine inspiring presentation skills with clear, precise written communication across assemblies, parent consultations, and external forums.
Desirable Criteria
• Proven Track Record in Role: Prior experience as a Head of Sixth Form, Assistant Head, or substantial post-16 leader who brings tested strategies, national benchmarking, and fresh institutional perspectives.
• Proven Institutional Innovation: Evidence of designing and successfully implementing new post-16 academic, enrichment, or life-skills initiatives from scratch in a previous school.
• Global Pathways Knowledge: Established track record of guiding applicants through US (Common App), European, or non-standard global university entry routes.
• Boarding & Residential Experience: Direct experience within a full or flexi-boarding school environment, understanding the specific rhythm of residential 16-18 education.
Culford School is a boarding and day school for over 850 children aged 1 to 18, set in 480 acres of beautiful Suffolk parkland, with an 18th century grade II mansion at its centre and three separate schools: the Pre-Prep & Nursery (ages 1 to 7); the Prep (ages 7 to 13); and the Senior School (ages 13 to 18). We believe in educating the whole person to deliver a well-rounded, fulfilled individual with excellent academic results. Everything we do is informed by our firm belief that learning should be challenging, enriching and fun. Culford is a Christian school with a Methodist tradition. We see education as a transformational process that guides pupils towards academic success, clear moral values, and the development of leadership and a readiness for the world of adulthood. Safeguarding Culford School puts at the centre of its operation the safeguarding of the pupils of the school. There is a commitment to keep safeguarding at the forefront of every employee and volunteer's mind. We encourage a culture of challenge, not just to act when there is a need, but also in the way we think to ensure the risks of harm to the pupils' individual welfare are minimised. Flexibility and Variation: This job description outlines the role as it stands at the date shown. Culford School periodically reviews job descriptions to ensure they remain accurate and relevant. Changes may be made following consultation with the post holder. While the aim is to agree on reasonable changes, the School reserves the right to change the job description following consultation. As an equal opportunities employer, Culford School is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Culford School. Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out, references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies. We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. If you are shortlisted[DEL: , :DEL] you are required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account. If you are unsure whether you need to disclose criminal information, you should seek legal advice or you may wish to contact Nacro or Unlock for impartial advice. There is more information on filtering and protected offences on the Ministry of Justice website. Nacro - https://www.nacro.org.uk/criminal-record-support-service/ or phone


• Direct Sixth Form Leadership Experience: Proven track record of operational and strategic leadership within a Sixth Form environment, with demonstrable impact on pupil outcomes and culture.
• Admissions & Futures Expertise: Deep, practical command of the UCAS framework and systems, competitive university admissions (including Oxbridge and global applications), and post-18 pathways.
• Pastoral & Academic Integration: Substantial expertise in managing complex post-16 pastoral issues, safeguarding, and academic tracking systems.
• Outstanding Classroom Practice: Evidence of exemplary teaching and deep engagement with current educational research.
• Proven Innovation: Evidence of designing and successfully implementing new academic, enrichment, or pastoral initiatives from scratch evidencing end-to-end delivery in a previous setting.
• Strategic Capability & Project Delivery: Proven capacity to think whole-school, work collaboratively with senior colleagues, and contribute to wider policy. Demonstrates robust project management skills, with a track record of delivering major initiatives and events on time, on budget, and with rigorous follow-through.
• Integrity, Judgment & Professional Credibility: Demonstrates high ethical standards, sound executive judgment, and discretionary decision-making in complex or sensitive situations. Proven ability to earn widespread authority and trust across staff, parents, and pupils through principled and transparent leadership.
• Engaging Communication & Public Representation: Exceptional interpersonal and public speaking skills, able to act as a compelling, articulate spokesperson for the School. Combine inspiring presentation skills with clear, precise written communication across assemblies, parent consultations, and external forums., Proven Track Record in Role: Prior experience as a Head of Sixth Form, Assistant Head, or substantial post-16 leader who brings tested strategies, national benchmarking, and fresh institutional perspectives.
• Proven Institutional Innovation: Evidence of designing and successfully implementing new post-16 academic, enrichment, or life-skills initiatives from scratch in a previous school.
• Global Pathways Knowledge: Established track record of guiding applicants through US (Common App), European, or non-standard global university entry routes.
• Boarding & Residential Experience: Direct experience within a full or flexi-boarding school environment, understanding the specific rhythm of residential 16-18 education.
  
  Culford School is a boarding and day school for over 850 children aged 1 to 18, set in 480 acres of beautiful Suffolk parkland, with an 18th century grade II mansion at its centre and three separate schools: the Pre-Prep & Nursery (ages 1 to 7); the Prep (ages 7 to 13); and the Senior School (ages 13 to 18).
We believe in educating the whole person to deliver a well-rounded, fulfilled individual with excellent academic results. Everything we do is informed by our firm belief that learning should be challenging, enriching and fun. Culford is a Christian school with a Methodist tradition. We see education as a transformational process that guides pupils towards academic success, clear moral values, and the development of leadership and a readiness for the world of adulthood. Safeguarding Culford School puts at the centre of its operation the safeguarding of the pupils of the school. There is a commitment to keep safeguarding at the forefront of every employee and volunteer's mind. We encourage a culture of challenge, not just to act when there is a need, but also in the way we think to ensure the risks of harm to the pupils' individual welfare are minimised. Flexibility and Variation: This job description outlines the role as it stands at the date shown. Culford School periodically reviews job descriptions to ensure they remain accurate and relevant. Changes may be made following consultation with the post holder. While the aim is to agree on reasonable changes, the School reserves the right to change the job description following consultation. As an equal opportunities employer, Culford School is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Culford School. Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out, references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies. We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. If you are shortlisted[DEL: , :DEL] you are required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account.

Salary: Culford has its own pay scale. Salary will also be dependent on qualifications and experience.