Chair of Trustees

Job Reference GAKAIA
Closing Date Friday 26 Jun 2020

St Mary’s School, Hampstead, is a Roman Catholic Preparatory and Pre-Prep school. Founded in 1926 by the Congregation of Jesus in the heart of Hampstead, the School provides an outstanding and inspirational Catholic education to girls from 2-11 years. In 1992 St Mary’s School became a new registered charity with a lay Board of Trustees, allowing the unbroken provision of a faith-based education and so continuing to be one of the leading preparatory Catholic schools in London for girls. The School has grown over the years, with 300 pupils on roll. Prospective parents are encouraged to register as early as possible.
The School is situated in the heart of Hampstead in a beautiful Grade II listed Victorian house on Fitzjohn’s Avenue, including a full-size Chapel. St Mary’s benefits from extensive, leafy outdoor spaces located on one safe and convenient site. It has been described as an “unexpected oasis” by visitors.
The School belongs to the St Mary’s group of schools established by the Venerable Mary Ward, which includes other high-achieving schools such as St Mary’s Ascot. The School is a Catholic Christian community; but a community that warmly welcomes families from all faiths and cultures.
St Mary’s believes that children achieve their best when they are in a happy, nurturing environment. The School has high expectations that all its pupils do their best and pursue their talents, whether they be academic, sporting or in the performing arts. The School is non-selective but achieves high academic standards and maintains a rigorous and challenging curriculum.
St Mary’s School has a two-tier structure of governance with both trustees and governors. The trustees are responsible for maintaining the objects of the charity, its administration and finances, risk assessment and overall strategy, as well as ensuring that the School complies with company law. The governors are responsible for the general direction, policies and priorities of the School within the budgets and objectives established by the trustees. They offer support and guidance to the Headmistress, but also hold the School to account for the quality of education it provides and the standards it achieves.
With the current Chair of Trustees, Harvey Rands, retiring from the role by the end of the year, St Mary’s School, Hampstead, is looking to appoint an exceptional individual to take on the position. The successful candidate will bring strong leadership experience, with prior experience of chairing committees. This person will have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a calm, balanced and fair-minded persona, excellent judgement and unquestionably integrity. It will be important for the successful candidate to demonstrate a commitment to education and a belief in the merit of independent schools. The successful candidate must be committed to the School’s ethos and mission statement.
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to St Mary’s School, Hampstead on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference GAKAIA. Alternatively, telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Friday 26th June.