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
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.
Domestic Team Member
15 hours per week, 6 hours to be completed on a Friday with the remainder being flexible
£11.78 per hour depending on experience plus benefits
Joining as soon as possible
We are seeking to appoint a Domestic Team Member to join our small domestic team. It’s important that we find the right person so, with 15 hours a week with 6 hours on a Friday a minimum, can offer part time, full time, all year round or term time only working and can be flexible on working hours available after 8am, Monday to Friday. Flexibility for occasional evening and weekend day shifts to cover key school events would be appreciated.
Working collaboratively with our domestic team your responsibilities could include efficient and, prompt cleaning of day and boarding houses, offices, classrooms, meeting rooms, changing rooms and other areas of the College. This could include dusting, sweeping, vacuuming and mopping. You will also work in our onsite laundry on a rota basis washing, drying and organising the return of laundry to the right location across the College.
As a member of the domestic team we are looking for a hard-working, enthusiastic and conscientious team member who is confident working as part of a team and independently to high standards.
A positive attitude, can-do approach and a good sense of humour is all that is required as full training will be given.
Shiplake College offers a beautiful working environment, supportive colleagues, a contributory pension scheme and excellent free lunches. Staff are encouraged to make use of the on-site gym facilities and open-air swimming pool, during the summer months, alongside the opportunity to make the most of our riverside location.
Domestic Team Member Candidate Pack
Support Staff Application Form
Closing Date: Applications considered upon receipt
Interviews: By arrangement
To arrange an informal visit to the College to learn more about the role, please email [email protected] or call 0118 9402455 and speak to Claire Smith for this to be arranged.
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.