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
Head of Science
We have an outstanding opportunity for a well-qualified and inspiring teacher with outstanding subject knowledge to join Shiplake College as the Head of Science. You will be passionate about your science specialism and will be keen to communicate your love of science learning, both in your lessons and beyond the timetable.
This role would suit either an experienced leader or a motivated Science teacher looking to gain leadership experience in a school where teachers are enthusiastic practitioners of their subjects and have a strong sense of community. In either case, you will combine scientific and pedagogical knowledge to inspire and challenge our pupils as well working collaboratively with colleagues beyond the department to promote STEM opportunities with our pupils.
Science is a strong subject at the College, and we are proud of our pupils' achievements at GCSE and A-level. We have ten main teaching laboratories, all of which are either brand new, or have been refurbished this academic year. We are looking for our next Head of Science to help the pupils make the most of these superb facilities.
Early applications are welcomed, as the College reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the application process.
Head of Science Candidate Pack
Teaching Staff Application Form
Closing Date: Tuesday 4 March 2025, 10.00am
Interviews: Monday 10 March and Tuesday 11 March 2025
Teacher of Learning Development (Maternity Cover)
Maternity Cover (up to one year)
Starting September 2025
We are seeking to appoint a dynamic and enthusiastic Learning Development teacher to join a friendly and busy department to cover a period of maternity leave (for up to one year). Your role will be dedicated to supporting pupils with specific learning difficulties, primarily SpLD-Dyslexia, to enhance their attainment, confidence, and self-esteem.
The role would suit an energetic teacher who is passionate about teaching and learning with excellent knowledge of SEN, specifically SpLD-Dyslexia and who can inspire and challenge our pupils.
Teacher of Learning Development (Maternity Cover) Candidate Pack
Teaching Staff Application Form
Closing Date: Monday 3 March 2025, 10am
Interviews: Thursday 6 March 2025
Teacher of Mathematics (Maternity Cover)
Maternity Cover (for up to one year)
Starting September 2025
We are seeking to appoint an inspiring and passionate Teacher of Mathematics to join our successful and busy department to cover a period of maternity leave. The dynamic and enthusiastic individual will teach across Years 7-13. This is a superb opportunity for a suitably qualified practitioner to join a large, successful department. Mathematics is a strong subject at the College and one of our most popular Sixth Form subjects.
The role would suit an energetic teacher committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning; a teacher who can inspire and challenge all of our pupils to achieve their personal bests. Applications are welcomed from inspirational teachers who will strive for excellence in all aspects of the maths curriculum.
Early applications are welcomed, as the College reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the application process.
Teacher of Mathematics (Maternity Cover) Candidate Pack
Teaching Staff Application Form
Closing date: Tuesday 25 February 2025, 10am
Interviews: Thursday 27 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
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.