Deputy Head - Academic

Deputy Head - Academic

Could you shape the future of academic excellence?

At Cranleigh, we believe in aspiring boldly. We are looking for an exceptional academic leader who shares that ambition and has the vision, curiosity and drive to take teaching, learning and pupil achievement to the next level.

As Deputy Head Academic, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our academic strategy and translating ambition into measurable impact. Working closely with the Head and Senior Management Team, you will inspire outstanding teaching, champion evidence-informed practice and create the conditions in which every pupil can thrive.

This is an opportunity to look beyond what we do today and ask what we could do better tomorrow. How can data unlock greater potential? How can technology enrich learning? How can we stretch our highest achievers while ensuring every pupil makes exceptional progress? You will bring the insight, confidence and leadership to turn these questions into meaningful action.

Leading our academic teams, you will drive curriculum development, strengthen assessment and tracking, develop colleagues and embed a culture of high expectations, professional collaboration and continuous improvement. You will ensure that our academic departments are ambitious, accountable and equipped to deliver excellent outcomes, while working alongside colleagues to nurture scholarship, enrichment and intellectual curiosity.

Cranleigh is a distinctive, thriving boarding and day school set within 280 acres of the Surrey Hills. With a proud heritage and a forward-looking outlook, we combine a strong sense of community with a determination to innovate, evolve and achieve more.

We are seeking an accomplished educational leader with a proven record of improving academic outcomes, developing outstanding teaching and leading teams through change. You will be intellectually curious, analytically strong and an inspiring colleague who can challenge constructively, build trust and turn strategic vision into lasting improvement.

If you are ready to challenge convention, inspire colleagues and shape the next chapter of academic excellence, we would love to hear from you.

Join Cranleigh and help us ensure that every pupil has the opportunity to aspire boldly, discover their potential and achieve more than they thought possible.

Cranleigh offers a supportive community environment and also a wide range of benefits, please see the recruitment pack/Job Description for more information.

Apply Now!

Candidates are requested to submit a brief letter of application (no more than one side of A4), together with the online application and supported by a full CV (via the ‘Apply now’ button on our website) as soon as possible and no later than 12:00 noon Wednesday 18th November 2026 . Applications are considered as they are received and therefore the vacancy may close sooner than advertised.

Cranleigh School recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post holder will be subject to a DBS check