Shiplake College is an HMC co-educational boarding and day school offering a holistic education for around 540 pupils from Year 7 to Sixth Form. There has been a co-educational Sixth Form since 1998 and in September 2023 girls joined in Year 7 as we look to the future as a fully co-educational place of learning - as of 2024, the Lower School (Years 7 and 8) has 40% girls. As well as providing a fantastic learning and living environment for young people, Shiplake offers an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding working environment.
We strive to recruit the best possible teaching and support staff to drive the College forwards and ensure we continue to provide the best possible rounded education for our pupils. Our recruitment selection and disclosures policy can be accessed at the link below.
Recruitment Policy
For all teaching appointments, a willingness to participate in the varied extra-curricular life of a busy boarding and day school is essential. Shiplake has a defined contribution pension scheme (APTIS or alternative option for support staff) and its own salary scale. Accommodation may be available on site and further paid responsibilities may also be available. Excellence in the classroom and an ability to inspire young people are paramount and non-negotiable.
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Shiplake College offers a beautiful working environment, supportive colleagues and all staff enjoy a free lunch and evening meal if on duty. In addition, staff are encouraged to make use of the onsite gym facilities, open air swimming (during summer months), and join a variety of staff teams such as football, touch rugby and cricket.
Current Vacancies
CCF Contingent Commander
Starting as soon as possible
Part-time, working 6 hours weekly on Tuesdays during the school term for parade
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Contingent Commander to lead and further develop the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). This position offers an excellent opportunity for someone with a passion for outdoor education and leadership development to contribute to the life of our vibrant school community.
This role is ideally suited to a recently retired Commissioned Officer, a current CCF Officer with leadership experience in the Army Section, or an existing Contingent Commander seeking a new challenge.
The CCF at Shiplake comprises all three service sections; Army, Navy and Royal Air Force. The aim of the youth organisation, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, is to "provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance."
Joining the CCF is compulsory for all pupils in Year 10 and optional from Year 11 onwards, with sessions taking place on Tuesday afternoons as part of the Co-Curricular afternoon.
Shiplake College CCF is an integral part of our school’s ethos, providing pupils with invaluable opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, and resilience. The Contingent Commander operates in a dynamic and supportive environment, with state-of-the-art facilities including:
• An air rifle range for skill development and competition
• A fully equipped armoury and stores with training resources
• Outdoor education facilities including a climbing wall, bushcraft area, and access to adventurous training activities
Cadets parade weekly on Tuesday afternoons, with Year 10 pupils actively participating in a structured and engaging programme. The Contingent Commander will enjoy active participation in summer camps, external courses, and adventure training trips, all of which are integral to the cadet experience.
The successful candidate will be passionate about shaping young minds, fostering a love for leadership, and instilling life-long skills. You will bring a mix of military experience, leadership, and a genuine commitment to supporting our cadets' growth.
If you are looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact at a school where outdoor education and personal development are highly valued, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding role.
CCF Contingent Commander Candidate Pack
Support Staff Application Form
Closing date: Monday 17 February 2025, 10am
Interviews: Week commencing 24 February
Head of Modern Foreign Languages
Starting September 2025
We have an outstanding opportunity for a well-qualified, enthusiastic and inspirational Head of Modern Foreign Languages teacher who can lead and manage an ambitious department. Applications are welcomed from candidates with Spanish as their subject specialism and have French as their second language. Experience in teaching both subjects up to and including A-level is desirable.
This role would suit either an experienced Head of Modern Foreign Languages or a motivated Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages looking for their next career move. In either case, you will be keen to communicate your love of modern foreign language learning, both in your lessons and beyond the timetable, in a school where teachers are enthusiastic practitioners of their subjects and have a strong sense of community.
Most students who join Shiplake College in Year 7 have studied French in their previous schools. At Shiplake, pupils in Years 7-9 choose to study either French or Spanish for two periods per week. At GCSE, pupils are encouraged to select a language and will again choose either French and Spanish and have three periods per week.
Early applications are welcomed, as the College reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the application process.
Head of MFL Candidate Pack
Teaching Staff Application Form
Closing date: Monday 24 February 2025, 10am
Interviews: Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 February 2025
Chief Operating Officer
The Governors and Headmaster are seeking to appoint a financially astute and commercially driven Chief Operating Officer and Clerk to the Governors (COO) with outstanding leadership abilities. Building upon Shiplake’s recent successful growth, this is an exciting opportunity for a strategic visionary to work collaboratively with the Governors, Headmaster and Senior Management Team (SMT) to plan and deliver the College’s strategic business plan. With responsibility for the finance, estates, IT, operations, compliance and commercial activities, candidates will be able to demonstrate proven ability in senior leadership and financial control, strategic planning and operational delivery within large complex organisations.
The COO will lead a team of 90 staff and, as a key member of the SMT, will deliver and manage change to ensure the School’s financial and commercial success. They will be a visible and empathetic leader with excellent interpersonal and people-management skills, capable of inspiring and motivating high functioning teams. A strong skill set including finance, strategic planning and execution, and operational delivery is required. The COO will demonstrate commercial acumen, coupled with first-rate analytical and business skills.
Prior experience in the education sector is not a prerequisite and applications are encouraged from candidates with commercial, charitable, private-sector and public-sector backgrounds. The successful candidate will, however, demonstrate empathy with independent education and commitment to Shiplake College’s ethos and values.
Chief Operating Officer Candidate Pack
Apply For This Role
Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics to arrange an informal and confidential discussion about the role:
Hannah Freestone-Smith: [email protected]
Nina Lambert: [email protected]
The closing date for applications is 10.00am on Monday 27 January 2025.
Applications should be made electronically to RSAcademics. To submit your application, please click on “Apply For This Role” above and follow the instructions provided. You should submit:
A completed application form.
A covering letter addressed to the Headmaster, Mr Tyrone Howe. The letter should be a maximum of two pages and should explain your reasons for applying and outline your suitability for the role.
To Apply
To apply for a current vacancy please complete the relevant application form provided and return, with a covering letter addressed to the Headmaster, via email to [email protected].
If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact, Mrs Maria Moir, HR Manager on [email protected] or 01189 405 218.
The College reserves the right to appoint before the application deadline.
If you should have any queries regarding employment at Shiplake College, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Safeguarding
Shiplake College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Shiplake College is also committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.