There are many benefits to working at Magdalen College School. Founded in 1480 by William of Waynflete, the school has a rich history and an enviable location at the heart of Oxford beside the River Cherwell.
MCS is one of the country’s leading independent day schools. Shaped by its Christian Collegiate foundation and links with the university city of which it is part, it aims to inspire in all its pupils a desire to learn, flourish and serve.
The School will celebrate its 550th anniversary in 2030. The current generation of MCS staff and pupils wish to ensure that we shape a school that is able to flourish for at least another half millennium, and hopefully many more beyond. There are around 950 pupils, boys aged 7-18 and Sixth Form girls, and 350 members of staff who learn and work on the School’s central Oxford site.
To learn more about the opportunities and advantages of working at MCS, please refer to the attached ‘Recruitment Pack (Deputy Head Education Development)’.
Following the appointment of the current post holder to headship, the School is seeking to appoint a highly-qualified, experienced and inspirational Deputy Head to lead and manage Teaching and Learning, Staff Professional Development, and the School’s Partnerships.
The Deputy Head (Education Development) will have a proven track record of commitment to and an understanding of academic leadership, along with experience of managing, coordinating and developing the work of teaching and support staff.
As a member of the school’s Senior Team, they will attend a wide range of school meetings and governor committees, and play a key role in the development and implementation of whole school strategy.
The role attracts a timetable remission of around 70% and is not subject-specific. Given the scope of the role it is expected that the postholder will seek promotion to Headship in due course.
Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
For a detailed explanation of the Key Responsibilities listed above, please see the attached ‘Recruitment Pack (Deputy Head Education Development)’.
The successful candidate will:
The Deputy Head (Education Development) will report to the Master, for the proper discharge of his or her duties.
The school currently has its own salary scale, and salaries are substantially more generous than those in the maintained sector; there is also a relocation allowance on a sliding scale, by agreement with the Master and Bursar, and dependent on current location. The school also operates a cycle to work scheme, and travel loans are available. MCS offers teaching staff a choice of pension arrangements; a Defined Contribution scheme with an employer contribution of 23.68% or the Teachers’ Pension Scheme with a salary sacrifice arrangement. Staff may move between the two schemes as suits their needs. The Master will discuss the pension with any offer of appointment.
Candidates should submit the following two documents to the Recruitment Officer, Miss Yelena Molcanova (recruitment@mcsoxford.org), which can be found here.
All documentation should be sent no later than Monday 18th November, at midday. The school’s preferred method of communication is by email and it will not be necessary to send a hard copy of the documents by post.
References may be taken up in advance. If you do not wish for your references to be called for at this stage, please make that clear on the reference section of the application form.
We anticipate holding interviews on Monday 25th November, which will include a taught lesson and a 5-minute presentation on the candidate’s vision for Teaching and Learning and Partnerships at MCS. It is likely that there will be a second round of interviews on Thursday 28th November. We will be in contact with shortlisted candidates by telephone.
Please be aware that all shortlisted candidates will be requested to complete a ‘Self-Disclosure’ form before attending their interview.
We reserve the right to interview and appoint before the above dates.
Magdalen College School recognises and is committed to ensuring applicants and employees from all sections of the community are treated equally regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marital and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. We welcome applications form all sections of the community.
Magdalen College School is committed to the safeguarding of pupils, and any offer of employment will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure, the receipt of satisfactory references, the school’s pre-employment medical questionnaire, plus sight of relevant ID documentation and degree certificate(s). The enhanced DBS check is due to this role being exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.