26 days remaining to apply

  • Job start date

    13 April 2026

  • Closing date

    19 November 2025 at 12pm (midday)

  • Date listed

    22 October 2025

Job details

Job role

  • Headteacher

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Key stage

Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5

Working pattern

Full time

Contract type

Permanent

Pay scale

L33 - L39 (£113,646-£131,578)

What skills and experience we're looking for

We’re looking for a bold and values-driven leader to become the next Principal of Marling School, a high-performing grammar school with a co-educational sixth form, known for academic excellence and a commitment to producing confident, independent learners with a respect for all.

About the role
As Principal, you’ll be the driving force behind Marling’s continued success. You'll lead the strategic vision and day-to-day operations of the school, shaping a learning environment that’s ambitious, inclusive and deeply rooted in the needs of our students and community.

This is a leadership opportunity for someone who is ready to inspire, challenge and support a dedicated team, delivering an outstanding educational experience for every pupil. You’ll ensure high standards of teaching, drive pupil achievement, and foster a culture of excellence, curiosity and care.

At the same time, you’ll play a pivotal role across our wider network, collaborating, innovating, and helping shape the future of education.

About Marling School
Marling School is a high-achieving grammar school for boys aged 11 to 16, with a thriving co-educational sixth form. We serve 1,100 students in the heart of Stroud, building a culture of ambition and support that creates opportunity, nurtures character, and promotes academic excellence in a safe and inspiring environment.

We believe in developing skills alongside knowledge, preparing our students for both academic success and their future place in a global society.

Our curriculum is enriched with co-curricular opportunities from cultural and recreational clubs to international trips across the globe. We are proud of our role in the local community and strive to strengthen those connections even further.

What we’re looking for
We’re looking for a values-led, strategic leader with a strong track record of improving outcomes for all pupils. You’ll be an experienced teacher and senior leader, confident in what great teaching looks like and how to develop it in others. You’ll bring insight, credibility and the ability to influence and inspire. Whether from a high-performing or more challenging school, what matters is your ability to turn ambition into meaningful, lasting impact and a belief in the power of a grammar school education. Above all, you’ll lead with integrity, optimism and care, building a school community that everyone is proud to be part of.


What the school offers its staff

Who we are
Cotswold Beacon Academy Trust (CBAT) is a locally rooted, values-led trust, committed to delivering excellent education for every child. We are proud to be entering an exciting new chapter and subject to approval by the DfE intend for our trust to merge with Lift Schools later this academic year. Lift Schools are a network of 57 schools, with primary, secondary and special schools, have a reputation for sector leading professional development and are recognised as one of the highest performing trusts in the country across a number of key metrics. Lift Schools are united in their commitment to provide an excellent education, to every child, in every classroom every day. Subject to approval by the DfE, CBAT will join Lift Schools in 2026.

This partnership brings together the best of both trusts, CBAT’s strong local foundations and Lift’s national reach and capacity for collaboration and innovation. Together, we’re building something ambitious and future-facing: a trust where high standards, equity and professional growth go hand in hand.

We place children at the heart of every decision and are united by a clear moral purpose to transform lives through education.

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.

For an informal, confidential conversation, please contact Tanya Bentham at recruitment@liftschools.org.

Closing date: 19 November 2025, 12 noon

Interview date: 2 and 5 December 2025 at Marling School

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

Please complete the online application.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

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If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

About Marling School

School type
Academy, ages 11 to 18
Education phase
Secondary
School size
1117 pupils enrolled
Age range
11 to 18
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report

Marling School is a high achieving 11-18 grammar school for boys with a coeducational sixth form.

Arranging a visit to Marling School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@cbat.academy.

School location

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