Welcome
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in joining Canford’s new Sixth Form College. Fully opening in September 2026, this is an exciting time for us to reshape out provision with greater emphasis on the growing independence of the 6th form journey, and we are seeking passionate, talented individuals to help us shape the journey of our first cohort.
Our Sixth Form College represents a bold step forward. It is designed to bridge the transition from school to university, giving our pupils greater independence, responsibility, and opportunities to explore both their intellectual and personal potential. Over the next two years, our pupils will be making significant decisions about their studies, their lives, and their futures. This is a unique chance to work with young people at a pivotal moment, supporting them not just to achieve great outcomes but to become well-rounded, self-aware, and resilient individuals.
The Residential Head of Sixth Form will play a crucial role in this journey. You will hold pastoral responsibility for all Upper Sixth pupils as they move from our Day and Boarding Houses to College life. There will be a need for skilful change leadership to ensure buy-in from all stakeholders and to shape the details of the vision. You will oversee the residential provision in our two new College Residences, managing the Residential Life team, maintaining high boarding standards, and ensuring the provision of social, life skills, and wellbeing activities is delivered to the highest standard. Above all, this role is about helping our pupils navigate their independence safely, confidently, and with the support they need to flourish.
Our Upper Sixth first cohort in this new facility will be the pathfinders. We want them to explore new ways of learning, living, and leading and your guidance and leadership will be pivotal in shaping not only their experiences at Canford but also their readiness for the world beyond. Boarding is central to this experience: it offers the time, space, and community in which pupils can develop lifelong friendships, resilience, and independence.
At Canford, we believe schools are defined by the people within them, not just the buildings. You will be joining a team of colleagues with experience across school and university contexts, all dedicated to walking alongside our pupils in their journey – academically, socially, and emotionally. Together, we will help them discover who they are, how to engage positively with others, and how to make meaningful contributions to the communities they inhabit.
If you are motivated by the chance to help shape a new chapter in Canford’s history, to influence the lives of our first College pupils, and to create a vibrant, supportive residential environment, then we would be delighted to hear from you.
Thank you once again for considering this important role. We look forward to welcoming someone with vision, energy, and commitment to join us in shaping an extraordinary Sixth Form College.
CHRIS WHEELER Headmaster
Background
Founded in 1923, Canford School is set in 250 acres of beautiful parkland on the outskirts of Wimborne in Dorset. The School, which has some 660 pupils aged 13–18, the majority of whom board, is amongst the country’s top co-educational boarding and day schools. The 19th-century Canford Manor House sits at the heart of the campus, and the facilities are exceptional. Canford has established a commanding reputation built on its excellent academic achievement, breadth of education and a fresh, lively approach. The School offers a superb sports and co-curricular programme for pupils, which is seen as amongst the best in the independent sector.
Having celebrated its centenary in 2023, Canford was a finalist for ‘Public School of the Year’ in the Tatler 2026 Awards, the Independent School Parent’s ‘Top School in the South of England 2025’ and the number one-ranked co-ed boarding and day school in the South West for top A level and GCSE results in the Sunday Times Parent Power report 2025. It is an exciting time to be joining the School, with September 2025 seeing the arrival of a new Head, the opening of a new Sixth Form College and the announcement of the merger with Dumpton School to form the Canford Schools Group of charitable independent schools.
Canford is in the final stages of completing ‘The College’, an impressive new £20m facility which will offer our Sixth Form pupils outstanding provision. With U6th day pupils based
in the Hub along with university-style services for Futures, Welfare and Academic Support and boarders in the residential wings, the building is designed to ensure all pupils develop the independence they need to be ready for life beyond Canford, whether at university or one of the growing number of other post-school routes.
Having been at capacity in our boarding houses for many years, the creation of this new facility will create spaces across all boarding houses to grow and develop our boarding provision, which will be an important part of the vision for the coming years.
Alongside its place as a school, Canford also offers excellent commercial facilities which are available to members of the public, including event and wedding facilities, a sports centre, a nine-hole golf course, real tennis courts and a semiprofessional theatre.
This is an exciting time as Canford School and Dumpton merge in December 2025 to form the Canford Schools Group. Dumpton is a popular co-educational day prep school for pupils aged 2–13 years, three miles from Canford. A finalist in the 2025 Independent School of the Year ‘Co-educational School of the Year’ award, it has experienced continued growth in pupil numbers and record numbers of scholarships to senior schools in recent years.
Vision and Values
COURAGEOUS ATTITUDE
Being principled and strong, yet reflective and tolerant, takes courage.
We support members of our community to be bold in expressing thoughts, words and deeds yet respectful of the diversity in our world and society.
GRACIOUS LEADERSHIP
Fulfilling a duty to guide, support and include others makes a difference.
We urge members of our community to lead graciously and serve willingly for the greater good.
HUMBLE AMBITION
Pursuing goals without arrogance or complacency brings meaningful success. We challenge members of our community to be energetic and resilient in pursuit of their goals but honest and grateful for fulfilment of them.
PURPOSEFUL ENGAGEMENT
Building a confident mindset develops positive life-long learning.
We inspire members of our community to be curious and determined in pursuit of knowledge and opportunity.
The Academic Leader
HO W WE ACHIEVE THIS – THE FACTS:
1-1 suppor t to achiev e the v er y best outcome for ev er y pupi l
Lea rn ing is not just accepted it ’s pa rt of our culture
120 specia lis t subject teacher s across 20 depar tments
school in the region* for top A Level and GCSE results.
We do no t simply select We look for
top-set pupils. ; all-round potential
Sm all class size s 15 for GCSE , 10 for A Lev el**
Te aching tailored by year grou p, with College approach to Sixth Fo rm
Breadth o f inta ke
120 Year 9s join from over 50 diff erent schools***
Academ ic e xcellenc e , but not a results-at-all-costs
independent minds and focus on e ver y child ’s bes t pe rs onal outcome
Over 95% of our pupils currently choose to go on to university, with 80%+ offers from Russell Group/Top 12. But the world is changing fast. Our College Futures programme guides every path – from degree apprenticeships and Art Foundations to Medical Schools and international study. Our focus is on the best outcome for every individual Canfordian.
* Based on Sunday Times Parent Power report 2025., co-ed independent senior boarding
The Boarding Culture
Canford’s genuine 7-day-a-week boarding school community offers rich experiences and lasting friendships for all pupils. There is flexibility for boarders to spend some Saturday nights at home if they want to, keeping families closely connected, while day pupils can take full advantage of everything on offer in the evenings and at weekends.
HO W WE ACHIEVE THIS – THE FACTS:
culture inclusive for both boarding and d ay
7-day-a-week 21st-century – boarder
4 out of 5 boarder s are in school e very weekend – there is no ‘emptying out ’ cultur model s can opt for some ext ra Saturda y nights at home *
e ay
The mix of fun an d skills-based evening and weekend activities are open to all pupils, boarding and d
Boarding
is the real deal.
Talk Education
Boarding opportunities extend the fun!
Current boy boarder On average, Canford tracked. *Boarders can leave after Saturday school a number of extra times each term in addition to exeats and half terms, but must return by Sunday evening.
Tiered Opportunities in Sport and Activity
HO W WE ACHIEVE THIS – THE FACTS:
50 + diff erent spo rt s, clubs and activities , inclusiv e and open to al l * Hockey, Cr icket, Netball, Tennis , Footbal l
OCs Be yond Can ford
USA Golf #27 r ank, U23 Wor ld Rowing Gold, U19 England C ri cket , Bath and Leicester Premiers hip Rugb y
CCF – Best School **
260 CCF cadets , 26 Sixth For m NCOs
100+ teams play 1,000+ fixtures across 16 sports every year, developing sporting skills, teamwork, confidence, and positive physical wellbeing.
Sport here is everything you might expect in a school of this calibre and scope – and then some.
The Good Schools Guide
*2023-25, **The Week: Independent Schools Guide
The Role
The Residential Head of Sixth Form (RHSF) will have the exciting opportunity to build a Sixth Form culture in the newly established College at Canford. The development of the College is a pivotal juncture for the School, and the successful candidate will have considerable opportunity to innovate and to add significant impact. They will report directly to the Senior Deputy Head and work in close collaboration with Deputy Heads Pastoral, Co-curricular and Personal Development, and Academic.
The overarching aim of the College setup is to prepare the Sixth Form for their transition to life beyond school and to empower them to make apposite decisions about their own futures. The Residential Head of Sixth Form will have oversight of the personal and academic development of all Sixth Form pupils, leading Sixth Form tutoring provision and coordinating all applications to Higher Education providers. They will also hold pastoral responsibility for all pupils in the Upper Sixth at Canford upon their transfer from Day and Boarding Houses to the College. This pastoral role includes oversight of all aspects of the boarding provision in the two College Residences (opening Sept 2026) and management of the Residential Life team, ensuring that boarding standards are met and that the provision of social, life skills and wellbeing activities for the whole Sixth Form is delivered to a high standard.
Key Responsibilities
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION
• Ensure that the Sixth Form provision in the College is innovative, intentional and thoughtfully aligned with its overarching vision and ethos, which is to provide pupils with an inspiring, holistic foundation for adult life.
• Collaborate with Senior Leaders in shaping the long-term vision for Sixth Form and the College, in alignment with the school’s wider strategic aims.
• In partnership with the Director of External Relations, develop an ongoing marketing and recruitment strategy for the College, ensuring that the Sixth Form offering is in line with school objectives and market demand.
• Foster close links with universities and higher education institutions to ensure that the College provision is an appropriate stepping stone for life beyond school.
SIXTH FORM LEADERSHIP
• Lead and support the dedicated team of Sixth Form tutors, ensuring that tutoring provision is of consistent high quality and supportive of the personal and academic development of all pupils.
• Foster a culture where pupils are empowered to take increasing responsibility for themselves (with a particular focus on their wellbeing and decision making) whilst at the same time feeling confident to access the systems of support available to them.
• Be a frequent and visible presence across both College Residences and the College Hub, forging positive relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues.
• Ensure that systems are in place to regularly capture pupil voice and ensure that the offering in the College Hub and Residences is dynamic and responsive to pupil need.
• Promote and support the delivery of the Beyond the Gates programme for the Sixth Form, which encompasses PSHE, Careers and enrichment.
FUTURES PATHWAYS AND ACADEMIC OVERSIGHT
• Work in close collaboration with the Assistant Head Academic in support of pupils’ academic progress and engagement, implementing supportive interventions where appropriate.
• Coordinate all applications to Higher Education providers, developing a department responsive to demand for applications to overseas universities as well as UK institutions.
• Manage and oversee the UCAS process, working in close partnership with the Head of Futures, Sixth Form Tutors, the Careers Lead and key academic colleagues.
• Oversee and develop, in collaboration with lead teachers, innovative and effective preparation programmes for specialist future pathways including, but not limited to, Oxbridge, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Art and Design, Creative Arts.
• In collaboration with the team of Careers and Higher Education advisers, offer guidance on future pathways.
• Contribute to Futures team initiatives and events.
PASTORAL AND RESIDENTIAL CARE
• Work in close collaboration with the Deputy Head Pastoral, Safeguarding Officer, and members of the Wellbeing team in matters related to Sixth Form pupil welfare.
• Conduct residential duties two evenings per week (one in each residence) and over weekends on a fortnightly rota, as well as being on the overnight on call rota.
• Foster positive working relationships with parents by way of regular contact, information sharing and collaboration.
• Design and implement, with the support of the Residential Life team and in collaboration with the Deputy Head Co-curricular and Personal Development, a vibrant and inclusive programme of:
○ community and social events for the whole Sixth Form, fostering connection, wellbeing and enjoyment.
○ College activities that support the development of skills for independent living.
○ initiatives supporting welfare and wellbeing, both at school and in preparation for adult life.
• Further develop and refine processes that support the smooth transition from Houses to College, ensuring that pastoral handovers are comprehensive, that pupils’ pastoral needs are understood and prioritised and that communication with parents and guardians is open and effective.
• Lead the Residential Life (ResLife) and College Administration and Pupil Support (CAPS) teams, ensuring that a positive atmosphere is maintained and that, where possible, staff are supported in their professional development.
• Contribute to the broader systems in place for pastoral management across the school, attending all regular Housemaster/mistress meetings.
COLLEGE OPERATIONS
• Develop staffing rotas for daytime and overnight supervision of the College Hub and Residences, ensuring that these are fair and allow for reasonable downtime and rest.
• In collaboration with the CAPS and ResLife teams, ensure that College buildings are properly looked after; that breakages and faults are reported to the Estates Bursar, and that pupils are encouraged to treat the School property respectfully.
• As budget holder for the College, liaise closely with bursarial departments and ensure that financial controls are in place.
SAFEGUARDING AND COMPLIANCE
• See that any requirements of the Children Act are adhered to: particularly promoting and safeguarding the welfare of all pupils for whom they are responsible or with whom they come into contact; ensuring compliance with the school’s Child Protection Policy Statement at all times; and reporting any concerns to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead or the Headmaster.
• Ensure that National Minimum Standards for Boarding are met and that the College residential offering is fully compliant.
• Utilise pastoral systems, including My Concern, to log issues relating to safeguarding, wellbeing and welfare. Furthermore, keep clear, well organised records of all pupils including any disciplinary records, reports, emails and notes, which may be used for reference in the future.
TEACHING AND WIDER CONTRIBUTIONS
• It is anticipated that the RHSF will teach to a reduced timetable and/or contribute to co-curricular provision. Such an arrangement would be discussed at interview.
• Staff at Canford are encouraged to contribute to the broader co-curricular life of the school.
No job description can fully cover all aspects of such an appointment and consequently the responsibilities are likely to expand and evolve.
SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION
Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and to become familiar with the policies and procedures for safeguarding children and child protection, which can be found here.
The Person
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
• An honours degree in any subject.
Desirable
• A recognised teaching qualification such as PGCE.
• Level 3 safeguarding certificate.
• Accreditation as a boarding practitioner.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential
• Proactive and creative; excited by the prospect of innovating and building the College model.
• Passionate about supporting the personal development of young people.
• Adaptable and supportive member of a team.
• Outward looking with a desire to grow and learn.
• Stamina, resilience and emotional intelligence.
• A role model for young people who is empathetic and value driven.
KEY SKILLS
Essential
• Track record of effective team management.
• Ability to innovate in the pastoral sphere, with the intent to create provision that is pupil centred and future focused.
• Skilled communicator; able to swiftly build strong relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues.
• High degree of administrative efficiency and ability to work at pace (responsive to need).
• Effective ICT skills.
Desirable
• Familiarity with the Unifrog platform.
EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE
Essential
• A clear understanding of the academic and co-curricular demands of Sixth Form life in an independent boarding school context.
• Significant experience of managing Sixth Form pupils in an academic and / or pastoral role.
• Proven leadership in a boarding context.
• Clear understanding and experience of managing UCAS and HE applications.
• A clear understanding of National Minimum Standards for Boarding and their implementation.
• A solid grasp of safeguarding and welfare protocols for adolescents.
• Experience managing complex pastoral situations, particularly concerning young adults.
Desirable
• Knowledge and/or experience of the residential context at universities.
• Experience of creating and delivering programmes for personal development and / or life skills.
• Experience of developing and implementing social programmes for young adults.
Employment Terms & Benefits
Contract type:
Hours:
Commencing:
Salary:
Accommodation: Permanent
Variable to meet the demands of the role: (working daytime, evenings and weekends)
August 2026
Canford has its own competitive salary scale
4-bedroom family accommodation is included within the College complex
• Discounted sports centre membership
• Staff wellbeing & health workshops
• Free healthy lunch
• Free cash plan
• Flu jabs
HEALTH
• Contributory pension scheme
• Death in service benefit
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free car parking
• Free financial advice
• Free access to Lifeworks portal, including online advice and support and access to free counselling
• Discounted golf club membership
• Facebook group for social events
• Staff discount on facilities hire
• Enhanced maternity/paternity and holiday allowance
MONEY
• Your voice
• Appraisal scheme
• Professional development opportunities
• Use of NASH building
• Excellent working environment
WORK
LIFE
• Discounted sports centre membership for your family
• Family social events
• Reduced theatre tickets
• Free cash plan for children
FAMILY
Application Process
Closing date: Sunday 1st March 2026.
To apply, please visit www.canford.com/Job-Vacancies, where you’ll be asked to complete our application and upload a covering letter and CV.
Please ensure you address the following points in your covering letter:
• Sixth Form leadership and vision - Your philosophy for empowering young people and fostering independence, wellbeing and academic ambition within a Sixth Form setting.
• Innovation and development of the CollegeExamples of initiatives you have led that demonstrate creativity, strategic thinking and responsiveness to pupil need, and your approach to developing new systems or structures.
• Pastoral and residential experience - Your track record within a pastoral and/or boarding leadership role, and how you would ensure that pupils, parents and colleagues feel confident in the pastoral provision in the College.
• Futures pathways and academic support - Your experience of supporting academic progress, UCAS and Higher Education applications.
• Personal qualities - What makes you an inspiring, compassionate and resilient leader suited to building the culture of the Sixth Form College at Canford?
If you have any questions, please contact Julia Bird, Assistant Head College: jfb@canford.com
We want your experience to be as seamless as possible. Here is a quick summary of what to expect during the process.
• Initial conversations - Julia Bird, Assistant Head College for an initial conversation about the role. We encourage open dialogue to ensure an understanding from the outset.
• Invitation to submit an application - Apply directly via our secure job portal.
• Shortlisting - Should your application be shortlisted, we will inform you promptly.
• Interview process - There will be a formal interview on site.
• Verbal offer - If you are the selected candidate, you will receive a verbal offer.
• Formal/written offer.
• Onboarding and induction - Including spending a day at Canford.
Canford School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our Community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to undergo child protection screening.