Job Description

Abingdon School

Oxfordshire

Salary:

Competitive

Job type:

Full Time, Permanent

Apply by:

8 October 2025

Job overview

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An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Director of Admissions to head the busy admissions department for the two leading independent schools that comprise the Abingdon Foundation.

Abingdon School is a thriving day and boarding school with more than 1,000 pupils aged 11-18. Currently a boys' school, it will become co-educational from September 2026. Abingdon Prep School is a vibrant and warm day preparatory school with around 200 pupils aged 4-13 which has been co-educational since last year. Both Schools are situated in beautiful and extensive grounds, with the senior school in the heart of Abingdon on Thames, just south of Oxford, and the Prep School located a few miles away in nearby Frilford.

The Director of Admissions will be a prominent ambassador for the Foundation, working closely with the Director of External Relations, the two school Heads and other senior leaders and will deputise for the Director of External Relations as appropriate. They will be responsible for day to day management of the admissions department and all aspects of the admissions process, driving recruitment of new pupils at all entry points to the Foundation both from within the UK and overseas.

We are looking for a candidate with significant experience in admissions, marketing or customer-facing roles, preferably within the independent school sector, and proven experience in managing teams and working collaboratively across departments.

The successful candidate will combine a warm and approachable manner and a genuine commitment to excellent customer service with strong market knowledge and effective technical skills.

The School offers a range of generous benefits including up to 14.1% employer pension contribution, private healthcare insurance, free use of leisure facilities with discounted exercise classes, additional Christmas closure days and discounted school fees (eligibility criteria apply).

We recognise the value of a diverse and inclusive workplace and are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to ensure that our staffing at all levels and in all roles is diverse and we welcome applications from all backgrounds and all sections of the community.

Closing date: 08 October 2025 (midday)

Interview date: 1st round (remote) week of 13 October 2025,

2nd round (in person) week of 03 November 2025

For further details and to apply please visit our recruitment portal:


https://vacanciesatabingdonschool.ciphr-irecruit.com/Applicants/

Candidates are advised that a cover letter outlining their motivation for the role must be uploaded in order to complete the application process. The cover letter should be addressed to Mike Windsor, Head of Abingdon Foundation.

Abingdon is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

Attached documents

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Recruiter contact:

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About

Abingdon School

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Abingdon School

Park Road, Abingdon
Oxfordshire
OX14 1DE
United Kingdom

+44 1235 521563

A level 2023 - 90% grade Ato B


GCSE 2023 - 81% grade 9 to 7



Abingdon combines over 750 years of history and tradition with a modern outlook. It offers day and boarding with the senior school housing around 1070 students aged 11 to 18, of whom 360 are in the sixth form, and approximately 130 are boarders. There is also a preparatory school at Frilford, near Abingdon, for 215 students aged 4 - 13. The two establishments together form the Abingdon Foundation, an independent charity, governed according to a scheme approved by the Charity Commissioners. Full particulars can be found in the Independent Schools Year Book.



The School stands in beautiful grounds close to the centre of Abingdon, six miles south of Oxford. Day students are drawn from a region that includes the University and City of Oxford, a number of large scientific establishments such as those at Harwell and Culham, and a wide area of the Upper Thames Valley and the Berkshire Downs. A wider region supplies weekly boarders, and there is a thriving international community of full boarders.



Students are selected for entry by examination, and the curriculum is geared towards the academic pupil. The expectation is that the vast majority of students who enter the school proceed to university, with a significant number winning places at Oxford and Cambridge every year.



The School has developed considerably over the last half-century, and has benefitted from a major building programme, including a new arts centre and a multi-million pound sports centre. Recent additions include a superb science centre housing 21 teaching labs and a new sixth form centre, a library and art facilities which opened in 2018. Autumn 2020 saw the Computer Science and Business & Economics departments move into a purpose built new three-story building. New and refurbished boarding facilities as well as a flexible new dining pavilion were completed in Autumn 2023.



The strength of the teaching staff is seen as the key to Abingdon's continuing success. The Head seeks recruits of the highest possible standard, with a powerful professional vision and who are prepared to exert themselves wholeheartedly for the benefit of their pupils and the School.

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