Principal, d'Overbroeck's

Nord Anglia Education has an exciting and challenging opportunity for an outstanding, experienced leader in education to drive the ongoing success of its highly regarded school - d'Overbroeck's – a leading independent school in Oxford.

THE SCHOOL

d’Overbroeck’s comprises 3 sections: Senior School, the International section and the Sixth Form, giving a school of approximately 700 students. We currently have over 300 residential boarders at d’Overbroeck’s. Our boarders are generally in either the Sixth Form (where around half the students are boarders) or in the International section (where almost all the students board). There is a small but growing number of boarders who study at the Senior School.

Founded in 1977, initially as a Sixth Form, d’Overbroeck’s has maintained its founding values throughout its growth. We believe in outstanding teaching and laughter. Our innovative approach sets us apart from other local independent schools and is characterised by purposeful informality. Our ethos is firmly built on personal relationships, and on a strong belief that every individual is at the heart of the school.

The school follows UK National Curriculum, leading to GCSE/IGCSE and A Level based curriculum. Our students consistently achieve some of the best value-added results in the country. We are located in North Oxford, and we’ve established ourselves as a thriving, forward-looking and highly successful school. We are known for our distinctive, non-traditional ethos, an outstanding staff team, and a strong reputation for the quality of our educational and pastoral provision.

Additionally, as a member of the Nord Anglia Education family of schools, d’Overbroeck’s draws on the strength of this forward-thinking, premium and contemporary global network of over 80 schools in 34 different countries. The school actively engages in Nord Anglia’s collaboration with Juilliard, MIT, UNICEF and King’s College London, and benefits from access to the organisation’s Global Campus. These create unique opportunities for students and staff to unlock their potential. 

THE ROLE  

The Principal takes responsibility for the leadership, organisation and management of the whole school. The post-holder’s key deliverables are aligned with the annual school quality review and the school’s strategic plan. She/he must be an excellent communicator and compelling storyteller to ensure our new families understand our dynamic educational offer for their children, which will in turn drive strong student enrolment.

Key objectives include education quality and outcomes, student well-being, school growth, financial targets, staff development, and resource utilisation.

The successful applicant will ideally: 

• Hold a recognised teaching qualification at least at Bachelor degree level.
• Demonstrate evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Have direct experience of working with the English National Curriculum and post 16 education.
• Bring experience of school leadership within a UK or international context.
• Have a strong record of operational management within a school in both academic and pastoral areas, including safeguarding for a diverse student group.
• Have excellent organisational, administrative, people and financial management skills.
• Have demonstrable experience in a boarding school environment, with a strong understanding of associated regulatory, safeguarding, and compliance requirements 
• A track record of driving exceptionally high academic standards.
• Be comfortable managing growth and change.

In addition, the appointed candidate will also:

• Understand how to blend the best of premium education with contemporary international thinking to maintain a distinctive positioning for the school
• Understand that leading learning is at the heart of school leadership and will build a team committed to delivering this
• Drive the marketing and admissions process of the school with passion and a focus on quality that grows both the school and the school’s reputation
• Collaborate and build high-performing teams
• Engage with students, teachers, parents and community leaders in a manner that is open, inclusive and conveys the values of NAE
• Manage financial budgets and commercial aspects of the school with astuteness and engage with, and contribute successfully to, the wider organisation
• Demonstrate the ability to create and execute a strategic plan and manage complex projects

WHAT WE OFFER

When you join a Nord Anglia Education school, you join a global community of more than 19,000 people working together to support our students’ success. We offer you:

• unsurpassed opportunities to innovate and develop best practice across our family
• access to extensive professional development
• exceptional career opportunities

Our promise is that you will have opportunities to progress more, learn more, and collaborate more. 

As a part of our family, you will be a valued member of our Senior Leadership Team, which helps shape the vision and drive the success of Nord Anglia Education. Professional and personal development is part of our DNA, so you will be supported by education experts and other committed professionals through Nord Anglia University and our leadership programmes. Additionally, we offer competitive remuneration, relocation assistance and a comprehensive induction into our organisation.

HOW TO APPLY

We welcome applications from individuals who are passionate about education and have the skills and experience to make a significant impact on our students and school community.

To apply for this role, please include a CV and letter of application.

Application Deadline: 13th July 2025

Interviews: Week commencing 8th September 2025

Start Date: August 2026

At Nord Anglia Education we are committed to providing a world-class, safe, happy environment in which children and young people can thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils where we embrace all race, abilities, religions, genders, and cultures.

All post holders in regulated activity (having regular unsupervised contact with children) are subject to appropriate national and international vetting procedures including satisfactory criminal record checks from both your country of residence/birth and any country of residence within the last 10 years.

We welcome applications from suitable qualified persons from all diverse backgrounds.

CREATE YOUR FUTURE