Headteacher

Watford Grammar School for Girls, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0AE

41 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  15 January 2026 at 11am

• Date listed

  5 December 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £99,537.00 - £129,880.00 Annually (Actual)

Headteacher job summary

What does it take to lead a school where tradition meets innovation?

Imagine shaping the future of over 1,400 ambitious students in a community that has thrived since 1704. At Watford Grammar School for Girls, you will lead an outstanding academy with a proud heritage and a dynamic outlook, guided by the maxim “I can do it and I will do it”.

You will join a school consistently rated Outstanding, with exceptional facilities that combine historic character and modern resources. Our ethos - creativity, curiosity, collaboration, compassion and courage - defines daily life. You will work alongside dedicated staff, motivated students, and a supportive board of trustees, all committed to sustaining excellence and inclusion.

As Headteacher,

• You will be a visible and approachable leader who inspires confidence and fosters collaboration.
• You will articulate a clear and ambitious vision, strengthen our high academic standards, and champion staff wellbeing.
• Transparency and openness will underpin your leadership, encouraging constructive dialogue and innovation.
• You will shape a broad, challenging and inclusive curriculum that prepares students for success in higher education and beyond, while promoting creativity and adaptability for a rapidly changing world.
• You will manage resources responsibly, lead strategic improvement, and strengthen partnerships with parents and the wider community.

This is an opportunity to influence lives, lead with courage and clarity, and shape a future where students thrive as confident leaders in a changing world.

For more information visit www.watfordgrammarschoolforgirls.org.uk

Please apply using the standard online application form. CVs will not be considered. Should you need support, please contact leadership.recruitment@hfleducation.org

Please note late applications will not be considered.

Inclusivity statement

Watford Grammar School for Girls is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointment to this post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check as well as other pre-appointment checks, including an online check, as outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2025).

To help us meet our high standards and aspirations of a fully diverse and inclusive workplace, we strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply and to join us.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

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

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Watford Grammar School for Girls

• School type: Academy, Church of England, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary
• School size: 1429 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Watford Grammar School for Girls website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/watford-grammar-school-for-girls-watford

Watford Grammar School for Girls is a partially selective 11-18 girls’ school, founded as ‘The Free School’ in Watford in 1704 with a mission to teach girls, initially alongside their brothers, from the outset. This makes us one of the oldest girls’ school in the country.

We are proud of our heritage, but equally proud of our innovative approach to teaching and learning. Watford Grammar School for Girls has a very strong and distinctive ethos with clear vision and values.

There are close to 1500 pupils on role with more than 400 in the sixth form; academic results are consistently very high indeed and the school is ranked as outstanding by Ofsted.
There are always plenty of opportunities for teaching and support staff to train and develop their careers at Watford Girls.

School location

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