Ratcliffe College, one of the UK’s leading Independent Catholic Day and Boarding Schools, is seeking an experienced and proactive Head of Careers to join our team. This is a rare and exceptional opportunity to provide inspiring and best practice Careers provision throughout the College, and to implement a Careers-focused learning programme which prepares students for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences of life beyond school. This will be delivered through PSHCE, the Tutor Programme, Work Experience, individual guidance and events, in keeping with the Ratcliffe College mission statement ‘Learning and Growing in the Light of the Gospel’.
- Line Manager: Assistant Head, Head of Sixth Form
- Functional Relationships with: Sixth Form Team, Head of PSHCE, Pastoral Heads of Section, Tutors
- Hours: 25 hours per week, over 3 or 4 days; 36 weeks per year (term times plus 2 weeks).
- Salary: £28,912
You will lead the strategic development and implementation of a comprehensive careers programme aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring it is fully embedded within the wider curriculum and school ethos. As the College’s Careers expert, you will oversee the delivery of high-quality, impartial guidance, supporting students at key transition points and promoting ambitious and inclusive progression pathways.
The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of UCAS and post-16/18 pathways, including higher education, apprenticeships, and employment. You will provide tailored advice on applications, personal statements, and CVs, while maintaining up-to-date knowledge of labour market trends and opportunities.
Working collaboratively with colleagues, you will integrate careers education into the PSHCE curriculum, contribute to quality assurance, and support inspection readiness. You will also lead on the organisation of work experience, careers events, employer engagement, and alumni networking, building strong partnerships to enhance student opportunities and aspirations.
This role requires excellent organisational and communication skills, with the ability to use data effectively to inform provision and support individual student needs. You will also play a key role in promoting careers education across the school community through events, communications, and resources.
We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a passion for student development and a commitment to delivering innovative and inclusive careers education that enables every student to thrive.
Closing Date: 5pm Thursday 6th August 2026, however Ratcliffe College reserves the right to interview prior to the closing date therefore earlier application is advisable.
For further information please see our Vacancies page.
Child Protection
Ratcliffe College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and applicants are required to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules), in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
For further information, please see the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosures Policy.
The College is also registered for the processing of personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Such checks are required in accordance with the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosures policy and the Data Protection policy. Copies of these policies may be obtained from the Director of Finance and Operations upon request.
The appointment is subject to satisfactory:
- References, of which one must be from a current or most recent employer if not currently in employment
- Disclosure and Barring Service check (including children’s barred list check if appropriate)
- Open source check
- Proof of identity
- Right to work check
- Qualifications check
- Health screening