Director of the Oakes
The Netherhall School, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 8NN6 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
25 February 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
17 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other leadership roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £69,595 to £76,772
What skills and experience we're looking for
Do you possess the ambition, drive and strategic vision to lead and develop a growing Sixth Form in Cambridge. The Oakes College Cambridge is seeking an exceptional educational leader to inspire and shape vibrant and inclusive Sixth Form communities.
As part of this appointment, we are seeking to review the structure of The Oakes Leadership Team, building a vision around which Deputy Directors and other curriculum staff can contribute. The future development of The Oakes is central to our ambitions. We are unashamedly aspirational and determined to provide a educational experience defined by intellectual ambition, inclusion and opportunity. We are looking for a leader who can bring energy, imagination and a transformative impact to our Sixth Form.
As a key member of the Senior Management Team, the Director of The Oakes (Assistant Head) will be responsible for cultivating an ambitious and compassionate culture in which every student thrives. You will oversee all aspects of Sixth Form life, from academic management and pastoral care to the delivery of a vibrant co-curricular programme, ensuring that all students are well prepared for life beyond school.
You will drive strategic development, implement an ambitious annual improvement plan and promote academic excellence alongside wellbeing and enrichment. You will also articulate and deliver a compelling and ambitious vision for the The Oakes, supporting recruitment and retention while ensuring students receive exceptional higher education application and careers support.
We are looking for someone with the creative vision and dynamism to continue the ongoing development of The Oakes College – an individual capable of inspiring others and articulating a clear and ambitious vision which complements that of the main school. You will be an outstanding classroom practitioner, an exceptional communicator and a leader capable of motivating and supporting a diverse team. You will bring a proven track record of excellence in your teaching and a genuine passion for helping young people to fulfil their academic and personal potential.
This role offers an ideal opportunity for an ambitious professional looking to gain senior leadership experience, who aspires to a future Deputy Headship or Headship.
What the school offers its staff
The successful candidate will be offered a competitive salary reflecting the skills and the experience of the candidate. In addition to providing a great place to work.
We recognise and value the skills, knowledge and expertise of all our
staff and are committed to supporting their professional development. To this
end, we have a vibrant and varied Continual Professional Development programme,
which is personalised each year to support both our main school priorities and
the individual needs of staff. This programme includes opportunities to share
excellent practice between colleagues as well as drawing on external expertise.
Cross collaboration between other local schools and schools in the Trust is
also encouraged so that best practice is formulated.
Joining Anglian Learning comes with a myriad of benefits, fostering both personal and professional growth. Our coaching and mentoring programmes are designed to offer tailored support that enhances your skills and career development. For further information about the opportunities available for this role please contact Rosie Holland, HR Officer, on hrhub1@anglianlearning.org.
Other Benefits available to all employees include:
Career AverageRevalued EarningsPension Scheme(CARE)
Cycle
to Work Salary Sacrifice Scheme
Free membership to allAnglian Learning Sports Centres
Professional
Development Scheme Policy
Employee
Assistance Programme
Further information about the job
Do you possess the ambition, drive and strategic vision to lead and develop a growing Sixth Form in Cambridge. Oakes College Cambridge is seeking an exceptional educational leader to inspire and shape vibrant and inclusive Sixth Form communities.
As part of this appointment, we are seeking to review the structure of the Oakes Leadership Team, building a vision around which Deputy Directors and other curriculum staff can contribute. The future development of the Oakes is central to our ambitions. We are unashamedly aspirational and determined to provide a educational experience defined by intellectual ambition, inclusion and opportunity. We are looking for a leader who can bring energy, imagination and a transformative impact to our Sixth Form.
As a key member of the Senior Management Team, the Director of Oakes (Assistant Head) will be responsible for cultivating an ambitious and compassionate culture in which every student thrives. You will oversee all aspects of Sixth Form life, from academic management and pastoral care to the delivery of a vibrant co-curricular programme, ensuring that all students are well prepared for life beyond school.
You will drive strategic development, implement an ambitious annual improvement plan and promote academic excellence alongside wellbeing and enrichment. You will also articulate and deliver a compelling and ambitious vision for the Oakes, supporting recruitment and retention while ensuring students receive exceptional higher education application and careers support.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About The Netherhall School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1266 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- The Netherhall School website
- Email address
- vthomas@anglianlearning.org
The Netherhall School is part of the Anglian Learning family of schools. We are a thriving and highly distinctive co-educational 11–16 school, serving Cambridge City and beyond. We are proud to have been at the centre of high quality educational activity in Cambridge since 1871, 150 years and counting.
Our school values centre on establishing a strong community based on great relationships. They are summed up in the phrase, ‘Inspiring, Individual, Inclusive.’
INSPIRING
We believe that students learn best in an environment which inspires them, high quality facilities in purpose built spaces. Also that student deserve the most inspiring teachers and support staff delivering a world-class curriculum. In this environment, students thrive and, in turn, inspire us.
INDIVIDUAL
We believe that each student brings their own unique potential and talents to the school. We tailor our curriculum and support to meet the needs of each individual rather than using a ‘best fit’ methodology. Extra-curricular activities are not seen as an optional extra but as an expected part of a student’s discovery of themselves. Complementing this, all students build a portfolio of their achievements in and out of school through their years at Netherhall; this takes the form of their Pride Pledge which in accessible on our ALIS intranet site.
INCLUSIVE
Netherhall is a school where all students and staff are valued, enjoy an atmosphere of tolerance and respect, growing together as a school family.
We believe that the synergy of these three factors make a successful school and we continue to work with all stakeholders to produce students with: excellent academic outcomes; empathy and tolerance of each other, their faiths and backgrounds; excellent skills of communication; teamwork; and who have the self-motivation and resilience needed to be successful in the outside world.
Arranging a visit to The Netherhall School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email vthomas@anglianlearning.org.
School location
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