Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School – Seconded/Interim Headteacher

Location: Barnet, Greater London (Outer London)
Salary according to experience or agreed secondment terms and conditions
Required from 1 September 2026, full-time, fixed appointment up to one year, details to be confirmed

Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School is seeking an experienced, capable and approachable leader to serve as Interim Headteacher at a pivotal moment for the school. Following the planned retirement of the current Headteacher, and with the substantive recruitment process continuing, the Governing Body is looking to appoint a colleague who can bring clarity, steadiness, and ambition to the school community.

Whether you are an experienced Interim Head, an Associate Head or Senior Deputy ready to step into whole‑school leadership, or a recently retired Headteacher open to returning for a defined period, this role offers a rare and rewarding opportunity. You will be leading a high‑achieving, oversubscribed, non‑selective state school with a proud history, a strong staff team, and a vibrant future.

This interim post provides the scope to make a meaningful impact—strengthening culture, sustaining momentum, and guiding a well‑regarded school with confidence—while offering valuable professional experience for those seeking progression, or a purposeful, time‑limited return for those with seasoned expertise to share.

About Our School

Founded in 1888 through a charter originally granted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1573, our school balances a deep respect for tradition with a modern, forward-thinking approach to education. For the past 40 years, we have thrived as a comprehensive school, maintaining a legacy of academic excellence that rivals our grammar school roots.

Set on 29 acres of stunning grounds on Barnet Hill, our campus features extensive playing fields, tennis courts, a wetland habitat and an indoor swimming pool. We are located adjacent to High Barnet Station (Northern Line), offering excellent transport links to central London while enjoying the greenery of the Green Belt. There is a multi-storey staff car park on site.

Our culture is warm, inclusive, and supportive. We serve a diverse community reflecting the richness of the London Borough of Barnet, where high expectations sit alongside a commitment to ensuring every girl flourishes.

The Role

As Interim Headteacher, you will be responsible for the strategic leadership and further development of the school. Building on a decade of sustained and ambitious improvement, you will build on current achievements while identifying new opportunities to keep us at the forefront of girls’ secondary education.

The Ideal Candidate

We welcome applications from leaders with a proven track record of impact as an Interim Headteacher, or as an Associate Headteacher or Senior Deputy Headteacher whose school has capacity to second them, combined with a genuine passion for girls’ education. You should be proactive, innovative, and resilient, with the integrity to lead by example.

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Honours Degree or equivalent.

• PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

• National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

• Recent experience as an Interim Headteacher or current experience as an Associate Headteacher or Senior Deputy Headteacher.

• Evidence of significant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in the last three years.

 You will also possess:

• A strong understanding of strategic financial and resource management.

• The ability to model high-quality teaching based on evidence.

• Experience in developing and leading curriculum initiatives.

• A commitment to collaborative working with Governing Bodies.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Closing date: 19 May 2026 12 noon

For an initial conversation please email your contact details to: vacancies@qegschool.org.uk

Please see the application form below; email your completed application form with covering letter to: vacancies@qegschool.org.uk