Newstead Wood School is a selective girls’ grammar school, with a co-educational sixth form, and a long and distinguished history.  Founded in 1957 and located in Orpington, it is widely recognised as  one of the highest-performing state schools in London and nationally, with a strong track record of exceptional outcomes at both GCSE and A-Level.

This success is underpinned by an ambitious curriculum, expert teaching and a culture of intellectual curiosity and aspiration that enables pupils to thrive and progress to leading universities and professions. Alongside this academic strength, the school offers a rich breadth of opportunity beyond the classroom, ensuring that pupils develop as confident, articulate and well-rounded young people.

While Newstead Wood School has many strengths, we are equally ambitious about its future. We believe there is significant potential to build on the school’s success: strengthening teaching and learning, widening access to its excellent provision - particularly for disadvantaged pupils - and extending its influence within the Trust and beyond. This is an outstanding opportunity for a leader with the vision and determination to shape the school’s next phase. The new Headteacher will bring a strong track record of excellence alongside the integrity, tenacity and compassion to lead this exceptional community, sustaining its success while driving further improvement. 

United Learning is a big group of schools – with over 75,000 pupils and more than 10,000 staff – so we have the capacity to support you educationally and operationally. At the same time, we are values-led and base all that we do on good relationships, so you will be joining a big family. Reporting directly to the Regional Director, you will be supported both personally and professionally, benefitting from the strength of a national Group who will support your development and that of your staff and school. United Learning values local governance and you will be working with the Local Governing Body to deliver continuous school improvement.

We are committed to fairness, diversity and inclusion. We are currently working hard to improve representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic leaders at headship level and to raise our proportion of women leaders to match their representation in our wider workforce. Whoever you are, if you have a strong track record of improving young people’s education and a drive to do more, we very much look forward to hearing from you. 

Prospective candidates are encouraged to explore the school website to gain further insight into its ethos and values. We strongly recommend arranging an informal visit prior to application. To arrange a visit or confidential discussion, please contact  Geoff Morris, Head of Leadership Recruitment, on 07811 345 638 or at geoff.morris@unitedlearning.org.uk