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Job Overview

The post of head of admissions is a significant role within the King’s community. This is an exciting time to join King’s, as we extend co-education throughout the King’s community over the next decade, increase access to the school through our bursaries programme, and prepare to establish our junior school on a newly developed campus just minutes from our main site. Accordingly, the head of admissions will play a key role in supporting the school in the next phase of its development as an ambitious, forward-looking and innovative organisation, in the lead up to our 200th anniversary in 2029, bringing to life our vision of making a King’s education accessible to any child who would flourish here. The successful candidate will work across the whole school, comprising both the junior and senior schools, with responsibility for ensuring the admission of pupils at all entry points to the school, from 7+ through to 16+, as well as working closely with the admissions team in Wimbledon Common Preparatory School.

The post holder will act as an ambassador for King’s, communicating the school’s character and strengths to prospective families and the wider community. The role includes ensuring an exceptional admissions experience for prospective pupils and families, developing strong relationships with feeder schools, sustaining an optimum number of admissible applications, and furthering the school’s aims in representation and accessibility in pupil admissions. It requires close liaison with staff across the school to ensure admissions events run smoothly and that processes support all aspects of school activity, in Mind, Spirit and Heart.

The head of admissions works closely with senior management teams in both the junior and senior schools. The postholder will have line management responsibility for the whole school admissions team and the bursaries and access officer; they will also direct the work of broader teaching and professional services staff in relation to admissions with the aim of delivering an exceptional admissions experience for all prospective families at King’s events.

The successful candidate is likely to have management and leadership experience at a senior level, significant experience of school admissions, a deep engagement with the values and mission of King’s, and an understanding of complex, excellence-oriented organisations. Applications from candidates with either a teaching or a professional services/support staff background are welcome.

The ideal candidate will have experience at a senior level working collaboratively with other leaders, and an understanding of independent school admissions. They will know how to get the best from others and have the skills to direct and empower their team to succeed and to help the school achieve its ambitions.

The Successful Candidate Will Be Able To Demonstrate

• A strategic approach to working across a complex organisation to further the school’s priorities, with willingness to be involved in day-to-day activities.
• Experience of leading and managing teams, forging strong working relationships with a collegiate and supportive approach, and inspiring their teams.
• High standards, a commitment to excellence, and a positive attitude to achieving goals.
• Professional diplomacy and integrity, with an energetic approach to evolving practice in pursuit of excellence.
• Creative thinking with the ability to see the big picture and plan ahead.
• A reflective, forward-looking approach, ready to evaluate the school’s activity and lead improvements.
• Strong ability to extract, manipulate and analyse data.
• An understanding of the complexity of school admissions, sector codes of conduct, GDPR and implications of decisions.
• A proactive, self-motivated problem solver.
• High levels of personal integrity and commitment to the values of King’s.
• A logical and strategic approach to maximising the effectiveness of admissions activity.
• Calmness under pressure, resilience and tenacity.
• Experience in successful project management.
• An active interest in harnessing digital technologies and extensive experience of information management systems.
• Ability to listen and adapt style to engage different stakeholders in different contexts.
• Proven ability to engage complex and diverse communities; experience in cultivating and stewarding senior-level stakeholders.
• An affinity with the independent school sector, with a drive to ensure King’s communications, marketing and admissions are outward-looking, accessible and inclusive.
• An awareness and understanding of safeguarding and child welfare, with a commitment to best safeguarding practice.
• A commitment to inclusive and diverse school community and to the ethos of a world-leading independent school with excellence across academic and co-curricular programmes.
• A commitment to making King’s education accessible to any child who would flourish here, particularly through the bursaries programme and plans to extend co-education.

King’s is one of the most successful schools in the world, with outstanding academic results, first-class pastoral care and a vibrant co-curriculum. The school is located overlooking Wimbledon Common, in a desirable part of south east England with excellent facilities.

To apply for this role, please visit our website via the apply button.

Closing date: 9.00am on Tuesday 23rd September 2025.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. King’s is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff 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. King’s College School is fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusivity in its recruitment of teaching and support staff.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Education and Training

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