Job Description

Old Swinford Hospital

Dudley

Salary:

Leadership plus boarding allowance

Job type:

Full Time, Permanent

Start date:

01 September 2026

Apply by:

22 September 2025

Job overview

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We are seeking an ambitious, inspirational and forward looking individual with strong leadership qualities and the vision, passion and skills to drive up academic standards and promote an excellent boarding education, to lead Old Swinford Hospital as it continues to grow.
When Thomas Foley set up and endowed Old Swinford Hospital in 1667 'for such maintenance and education and placing forth of sixty poor boyes' he was forward thinking enough to see that his philanthropic ideals could benefit the lives of those individuals who came to his school. Like him each generation of those in governance, whilst maintaining a wealth of traditional values, has been forward thinking enough not to be afraid to move with the times. Today the School is one of the country's leading co-educational state boarding schools (11-18) with some 60% of its approximately 950 students boarding and following an ambitious expansion programme which will see student numbers that could reach 1,300.

Enabling students to achieve their very best

At Old Swinford Hospital we aim to provide an outstanding education, both within and beyond the classroom, which enables students to achieve their very best and as a boarding school to provide a uniquely stimulating and supportive environment in which all individuals flourish, grow in understanding, self confidence and self esteem and are fully equipped to meet the challenges and demands of life beyond school.
Our vision for each and every student is one in which they can discover who they can be and where:Children and young people come first We, and our students, have high aspirations and expectations Our community has strong and shared values They develop and grow with desired qualities Our students are prepared for their future lives
We are a school established in the traditions of the Church of England and Christian witness lies at the heart of school life, however students and staff of all faiths and none, and of all backgrounds, are welcomed as part of our community for we believe that strength is best derived from diversity.

The School

Having embarked on an ambitious expansion project we have naturally had to grow to accommodate and educate more than twenty times the number the Founder originally built it for. The original 1667 building stands at the heart of the school celebrating history and tradition now complimented and sitting comfortably with a range of buildings and facilities for boarding, teaching and sports so as to offer more students a first class education combined with the benefits that boarding can bring. The latest addition, in 2020, was key to providing the educational space needed to facilitate our expansion programme and saw us moving to becoming co-educational so that more recently our attention turned to remodelling two boarding houses for girls.
We are seeking to recruit a Head who:has ambition and wishes to make a mark has the depth of experience necessary to promote an excellent boarding education and the vision, passion and skills to continue to grow the School and to drive up academic standards can develop a leadership style and a structure which support growth and improvement inspires and motivates staff to move in the same direction and participate in the vision can ensure that the shape of the School, its curriculum and its management are sleek, modern and focussed so it is in the very best position to provide a first class boarding education has and expects high standards can maintain the ethos and the spirit that is, and underlies, Old Swinford Hospital as the school goes forward
If you are an ambitious, inspirational and forward looking individual with strong leadership qualities and believe that you and Old Swinford Hospital can grow and move upwards together then we would be delighted to hear from you.

Equal Opportunities

Old Swinford Hospital welcomes applications for employment from all sectors of the community.

Suitability to Work with Children

Old Swinford Hospital is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants are required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.

https://view.publitas.com/osh/osh-head-appointment-brochure

About

Old Swinford Hospital

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Old Swinford Hospital

Heath Lane, Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY8 1QX
United Kingdom

+44 1384 817300

Old Swinford Hospital is a co-educational voluntary-aided state boarding school, aged 11 - 18 years where the state pays for the daily education and parents pay only for the boarding element. This means that a quality boarding education at OSH typically costs a third of the cost of boarding in the independent sector.



The School has a long history. It was founded under the name Stourbridge Hospital by industrialist Thomas Foley in 1667, in order to teach boys the skills and attributes to become responsible citizens - an aim that still applies in the 21st century and here, equally applies to our girls.

Values and vision

Old Swinford's message to its pupils is "Discover who you can be". It encourages students to embrace themselves as individuals and develop their own strengths. The school atmosphere is diverse and tolerant, welcoming children of all faiths and we want the very best for all of them because we believe that they all have exciting potential and an important contribution to make to our happy and vibrant environment.

Ofsted reports

Ofsted January 2022:



'Pupils learn together, live together and thrive at Old Swinford Hospital. Pupils behave well. They are polite, respectful and studious. Pupils know that staff expect them to work hard and do their best. In lessons, they listen to their teachers and work together productively and collaboratively. Pupils' academic and wider study prepares them for life after school.'



To view our most recent Ofsted report click here.

And Ofsted boarding July 2022:



'Outcomes for children who use the boarding provision are outstanding. Children make excellent and sustained progress in many areas of their lives. Children learn to become more responsible, to be trusted to be self-disciplined and commit to the daily routines of boarding life. Their experiences contribute to a marked improvement in confidence, social skills and independence, which will be a strong benefit for later life.'



To view our most recent Ofsted Boarding report click here.

You can find out more about Old Swinford Hospital and its community at www.oshsch.comPlease note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow

Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy

.