Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate - Head of Boarding

About Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate

Welcome to Queen Ethelburga’s: Excellence in Independent Education Since 1912

Founded in 1912 as an all-girls school, Queen Ethelburga’s has a rich history rooted in academic excellence and warm community spirit.

The school moved from Harrogate to its current 220-acre site near York in 1991, centring around the historic Thorpe Underwood Hall — once home to poet and novelist Anne Brontë. Following the move, the school extended its provision to all genders and opened Explorers Nursery, Chapter House and King’s Magna.

While QE embraces innovation, it also honours its past with treasured traditions. Students celebrate the school’s birthday each October with a traditional buffet lunch, followed by the cutting of the cake with a sword and singing Auld Lang Syne. Other cherished events include the Christmas Carol Concert at Ripon Cathedral, School Ghost Night, and singing around our iconic Christmas tree.

Who We Are Today

Today, Queen Ethelburga’s is a leading co-educational independent day and boarding school for students aged 3 months to 19 years. We welcome students from across the UK and over 40 nationalities worldwide, creating a rich, inclusive campus culture in the heart of rural North Yorkshire.

Queen Ethelburga’s is divided into four schools:

Explorers Nursery (3 months to 3 years)
Chapter House (Age 3 to Year 5)
King’s Magna (Years 6 to 9)
College (Years 10 to 13)

Our curriculum is forward-thinking, incorporating the latest technology, including AI education and qualifications that prepare students for modern careers (see our BTEC course on Esports). We offer traditional academic routes as well as vocational options, all underpinned by our academic aim: to build skills for lifelong learning and future success.

Why Families Choose QE

Families choose Queen Ethelburga’s for our tailored approach, modern ethos, strong academic outcomes, and deeply caring environment. Rated the best value co-educational independent school by The Telegraph, we offer:

A personalised education in a four-school model
A multicultural community with over 40 nationalities
Academic pathways that include GCSEs, A Levels and BTECs
Exceptional boarding options from Year 3 onwards
State-of-the-art facilities and continuous investment in campus life
A culture where students, staff, and parents feel part of Team QE.
To be part of a leading boarding school in the North of England

Student Life

Student life is vibrant, supportive, and full of opportunities for growth both in and out of the classroom.

Each day is busy and varied, with students thriving in an environment where they feel happy, cared for, and truly part of a community. Whether walking through the grounds or competing on the sports pitch, the spirit of ‘Team QE’ is ever-present, bringing together students, staff, and parents in a shared commitment to help every member be the best version of themselves.

Beyond academic life, students enjoy a wealth of enrichment opportunities. Boarders can unwind at the gym, swimming pool, or in Muggles, our on-site activity centre, and there are regular trips and activities to broaden their horizons. Teachers encourage students’ independence while ensuring every child is supported to achieve their best.

Student Wellbeing and Pastoral Support

Student wellbeing is one of our four school aims. Teachers, boarding staff, and a specialist wellbeing team work collaboratively to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and understood. Regular reporting and communication with families allow early intervention where needed.

To support transitions and prevent homesickness, new boarders complete a detailed onboarding form, are paired with a roommate (ideally sharing a language or interest), and can choose their roommates after the first term.

We also host five awareness weeks throughout the year to address themes such as bullying, online safety, cultural appreciation, and personal resilience, helping to foster a community built on kindness and respect.

Collegiate Aims

Mission: For all members of Team QE to aspire to the Hill Standard: ‘To be the best that I can with the gifts that I have’
Vision: To consistently be recognised as a world-renowned educational community.
Ethos: To ensure a supportive and mutually respectful environment, encouraging diversity, proactivity and innovation, whilst empowering all members of Team QE to thrive.

We aim to:

Build skills for lifelong learning and future success
Foster a spirit of adventure and discovery
Promote happiness, positive health and community safety
Encourage respect, equity, integrity and collective responsibility

Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate is an independent mainstream boarding and day school for girls and boys aged from 3 months to 19 years. The Collegiate welcomes diversity of staff, workers, volunteers, students, parents, and applicants. The term Collegiate Community includes staff, students, parents, visitors, external contractors, and providers hired by the Collegiate (e.g., school excursion providers) and volunteers. Diversity is recognised and respected. The Collegiate recognises the benefits of having a diverse Collegiate Community, with individuals who value one another, and the different contributions everyone can make.

Students will be taught fundamental British values of tolerance and mutual respect and to value others from whatever social, religious, or ethnic background. The Collegiate is committed to being an equal opportunities education provider and is committed to equality of opportunity for all members of the Collegiate Community. In the provision of equal opportunities, the Collegiate recognises and accepts its responsibilities under the law and opposes discrimination, including based on:

disability
pregnancy and maternity
race
religion or belief (including lack of religion or belief)
sex
sexual orientation and gender reassignment
marital or civil partnership status
age

Our Location and Facilities

Set in the heart of North Yorkshire, our school campus is where magic meets excellence.

Located just off the A59 between York and Harrogate, QE is a private school in the UK countryside offering space, safety, and stunning surroundings. We provide bus routes that span over 40 miles of Yorkshire, including Doncaster, Leeds and Northallerton. Think stunning English architecture, open green spaces, cutting-edge classrooms, Premier League-level sports facilities, and newly refurbished boarding. Plus a brand-new outdoor activity centre. You have to see it to believe it, click here to take our virtual tour.

The role

Head of Boarding (AQ3455)

Apply now

JOB DESCRIPTION

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate is seeking a Head of Boarding to begin in March 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. This role is central to shaping a boarding environment where students feel supported, challenged, and genuinely excited about their daily experiences. The Head of Boarding will lead the strategic development and smooth operation of a vibrant residential community that balances wellbeing, personal growth, and a joyful student life.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

Vision and Strategy: Create and deliver a forward-looking vision for boarding that aligns with QE’s values and places student enjoyment, positivity, and wellbeing at the heart of daily life.
Team Leadership: Recruit, train, and support boarding staff who are committed not only to excellent care but also to creating a warm, lively, and uplifting atmosphere for students.
Policy and Compliance: Maintain robust welfare and safeguarding practices to ensure a safe and supportive environment where students can relax, engage, and thrive.
Financial Oversight: Manage the boarding budget and allocate resources effectively to enhance both comfort and the overall boarding experience.

Pastoral Care and Student Welfare

Duty of Care: Take a lead role with pastoral care for all boarders, fostering a homely, reassuring, and energising environment that helps students feel settled and happy.
Wellbeing Monitoring: Ensure the team supports each student’s social, emotional, academic, and physical wellbeing, ensuring they feel confident, included, and valued.
Community Development: Build a boarding culture that encourages fun, positive interactions, friendships across age groups, and opportunities for students to develop leadership and life skills.
Health and Safety: Maintain excellent health and safety standards while ensuring boarding houses remain comfortable, welcoming spaces where students enjoy living and learning.

Academic Support and Co-Curricular Life

Academic Guidance: Support productive study routines and encourage a balanced lifestyle where academic responsibility coexists with enjoyment and personal development.
Activities and Enrichment: Work with staff to design a varied and engaging programme of evening, weekend and holiday activities—ensuring students have access to enriching, enjoyable, and memorable experiences.
Engagement: Be actively involved in school events and foster a sense of fun and belonging across the wider QE community.

Communication and Community Relations

Parent Engagement: Maintain open and positive communication with parents, reassuring them that their children are not only safe and supported but also thriving and enjoying boarding life.
Advocacy for Boarding: Champion the boarding programme and highlight the joyful, inclusive, and rewarding experiences it offers.
Collaborative Working: Partner with other leaders and staff to deliver a cohesive programme that balances wellbeing, fun, academic focus, and personal growth.

Student Recruitment and Retention

Play a key strategic role in student recruitment and retention, recognising the central importance of the boarding experience to the Collegiate’s overall success.
Act as a senior ambassador for boarding, working closely with admissions colleagues to support recruitment activity, including engagement with prospective pupils and families, visits, tours and events.
Ensure that the lived boarding experience consistently reflects and delivers the school’s values, standards and promises to families.
Build strong, trust-based relationships with pupils and parents, contributing directly to high levels of pupil satisfaction, wellbeing and retention.
Maintain high standards across all aspects of boarding provision, using feedback and insight to continuously enhance the pupil experience and strengthen long-term commitment from pupils and families.

Apply now

Terms of appointment

This is a residential role and s for 38 weeks of the year (term time plus 4 weeks).
You will be provided with a staff flat on site, and meals are provided during term time.
The working days are 5 over 7 days with 2 days (Saturday is a required working day).

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:

A completed application form.
A covering letter (2 pages of A4) outlining your motivation and details of how you meet the qualification, skills and experience criteria of the person specification.
Please include details of two referees in your application form, though please note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.

Should you wish to discuss further details about the role in strict confidence, please get in touch with:

Hayley Mintern at hayley.mintern@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7596 954 387
Alasdair Redwood at alasdair.redwood@andersonquigley.com +44 (0) 7394 012 383

Apply for Head of Boarding

Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate, York

Appointment of the Head of Boarding