| Reference: | AQ3455 |
| Specialisms: | Education, Schools |
| Date posted: | 2nd February 2026 |
| Closing date: | 22nd February 2026 |
Head of Boarding
Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, York
Queen Ethelburga’s (QE) is one of the UK’s most ambitious and forward-thinking independent schools. Renowned for its scale, innovation and exceptional pastoral provision, the Collegiate offers a vibrant, high-performance environment in which young people are supported to thrive academically, socially and personally.
QE now seeks to appoint an outstanding Head of Boarding to provide strategic and inspirational leadership across its boarding community.
This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead one of the most significant boarding operations in the country. The successful candidate will have overarching responsibility for the quality, culture and consistency of boarding life, ensuring that every pupil feels safe, supported and able to flourish within a warm, purposeful and aspirational environment.
Working closely with senior leaders, house teams and a wide range of professional services colleagues, the Head of Boarding will set a clear vision for pastoral excellence, model best practice and drive continuous improvement. They will bring both strategic oversight and a visible, values-led presence, with the credibility and emotional intelligence to lead large teams and engage confidently with pupils, parents and staff.
The Head of Boarding will also play a key role in student recruitment and retention, recognising the central importance of the boarding experience to the Collegiate’s success. They will act as a senior ambassador for boarding, contributing to admissions activity, engaging with prospective families and ensuring that the lived boarding experience consistently delivers on the school’s promise. Through strong relationships, high standards and an exceptional pupil experience, the postholder will support retention and foster long-term commitment from pupils and families.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced boarding professional with a strong track record of leadership, an in-depth understanding of safeguarding and compliance, and a deep commitment to pupil wellbeing. Equally important is the ability to balance high standards with empathy, and structure with care creating a boarding culture that is both highly organised and deeply human.
Queen Ethelburga’s offers a distinctive and dynamic context: fast-paced, well-resourced and unashamedly ambitious. In return, the school provides the opportunity to make a genuinely significant impact, supported by an engaged senior leadership team and a collegiate, professional community.
This is a role for an individual of presence, warmth and clarity of purpose, someone excited by scale, complexity and the chance to lead boarding at the highest level.
How to apply
Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.
The closing date for applications is 22 February 2026.
Applications should consist of:
Should you wish to discuss further details about the role in strict confidence, please get in touch with:
If you have any questions about your application, please get in touch.
