Lead an "Outstanding" School into an Exciting New Chapter

Occupying a 33-acre site on the edge of Henley-on-Thames, Gillotts School is a high-performing and inclusive co-educational academy with approximately 900 pupils aged 11-16 on roll.

We are proud to have been recognised as outstanding by Ofsted, who said, ‘Pupils thrive because of the high-quality teaching and care they receive’.  In 2024, our Progress 8 score of 0.71 put us in the top 8% of schools in the country. In 2025, Gillotts School was named as the top secondary school in Oxfordshire on Government published statistics for overall Key Stage 4 performance, with 76% of students achieving a Grade 5+ in both English and Maths, 44% of all grades awarded at Grades 7-9, and an A8 of 61.2

We are equally proud of the values expressed by our motto, Non nobis solum—'Not by ourselves alone.' This guiding principle is more than a slogan; it defines us as an inclusive school where cooperation and collaboration are the norm. Whether supporting a student with unique learning needs, empowering a staff member’s professional growth, or welcoming a new family, we act with the conviction that we are stronger together.

We are seeking an inspirational and strategic leader to join our committed, dynamic, and friendly team, to pilot Gillotts through its next phase of development as part of the River Learning Trust (RLT). With passion and knowledge for education, you will inspire, motivate, and challenge young people of all abilities to strive to be the best that they can be. In return, you will be able to develop your skills and expertise, working with a school that is committed to ongoing professional development. Gillotts aims to maximise achievement through effective and inspiring teaching, so if you share these values and would like to join this supportive and high-achieving school, we’d like to hear from you. 

Please see the attached candidate information pack for further details

Education has the power to change lives, communities, and society for the better. At Gillotts and RLT we believe that we can achieve more for our pupils, trainees, staff, and communities by working together rather than alone. Schools in RLT are united by a common belief in the benefits of working together, and by our commitment to shared principles. 

OUR VISION is for our schools and SCITT to improve rapidly, continuously and sustainably: to be better faster together.

OUR ‘WHY?’ is that children and young people ‘only get one go’ in school and therefore as part of RLT we aim to ensure the best possible ‘go’ for our pupils.

OUR ‘HOW?’ is through the highest support and challenge for our schools and each other, underpinned by our principles.

Our employees benefit from a wide variety of support including extensive  continuing professional learning and development opportunities, wellbeing and staff networks and access to Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (TPS and LGPS) for all staff. For more information on what it is like to work for the Trust, and the benefits you could access, please see our Working in RLT guide and RLT Staff Charter.

This role includes regulated activity relevant to children. 

The River Learning Trust and Gillotts School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing extremism.   All staff are expected to share this commitment.

The Trust is required to conduct a variety of checks and online searches about you as part of their recruitment process in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. It is an offence to apply for certain roles within schools if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

For all RLT Safer Recruitment Documentation candidates should click on the following link RLT Safer Recruitment Documents for Candidates. Please visit the Gillotts School website for up-to-date policies including our Child Protection and Behaviour Policies. The RLT website also offers further information about the Trust.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. For further guidance for applicants click on this link List of offences that are not filtered

Visits to the school are warmly encouraged. To arrange a confidential conversation or a visit, please contact Emma Hunt, Chair of Governors at ehunt@gillotts.org.

The River Learning Trust is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.