About this role
Salary: £80,000 - £95,000 per annum
Location: Uppingham, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 9QE (significant international travel required)
Working pattern: Full-time, permanent
About the role
Uppingham International Schools (UIS) is creating its first Director of Education post. You will shape the educational vision and quality assurance framework for a growing family of international schools, taking Uppingham’s educational ethos to established schools in Cairo and Vietnam and to future international developments.
Uppingham School is one of the UK’s leading independent schools, known for academic excellence, character development and strong pastoral care. As UIS expands, you will uphold these values and keep educational standards consistently high while responding to the different local contexts of each school.
You will report to the International Executive Board (IEB) as its principal educational adviser. The role is based at Uppingham School in Rutland.
What you’ll be doing
- Providing strategic leadership, independent assurance and constructive challenge to the IEB on educational standards, safeguarding, curriculum and school leadership
- Developing and leading the UIS Standards Framework and Quality Assurance Visit programme, creating a consistent way to evaluate educational performance, identify improvement priorities and share effective practice
- Advising on senior leadership appointments and development
- Advising on curriculum standards and accreditation
- Assessing the educational readiness of prospective and new schools
- Working closely with the Executive Director, overseas Heads, governors and partners so that every school delivers an ambitious, high-quality education
What you’ll bring
- Senior school leadership experience, such as Deputy Head, Head, Principal, Executive Head or Director of Education, with a proven record of raising standards, leading school improvement and shaping educational strategy
- Significant experience in an international or similarly complex educational environment
- A strong background in quality assurance, inspection, accreditation or school review
- The expertise to evaluate performance, strengthen safeguarding, develop curriculum standards and support the growth of senior leaders
- The credibility to engage Heads, governors and trustees, and the independence of judgement to offer challenging, evidence-based advice
- The ability to balance group-wide standards with the cultural, educational and regulatory contexts of individual schools
- An unwavering commitment to pupil welfare and safeguarding
Experience of international school accreditation, new-school development, educational partnerships, or bilingual and multilingual settings is advantageous, as is a postgraduate qualification in education or leadership.
What’s on offer
- Contributory pension scheme
- 30 working days’ annual leave plus public holidays that fall out of term time
- Business-class travel for agreed annual long-haul international journeys, plus a stipend covering travel costs
- Professional development and leadership opportunities
- Death in service cover of three times annual salary
- Westfield health care package and Westfield Rewards discounts
- In-house Occupational Health Service and free annual influenza jabs
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free staff lunches in term-time
- Free membership of the dual-use Sports Centre (£25 annual admin fee)
- Discounted day place fees for children of staff
- Discount at a local nursery in Uppingham and 25% off holiday club fees
- Complimentary staff tickets for select School performances
Working arrangements
Normal hours are Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week in term-time and 35 hours per week in school holidays. Out-of-hours and weekend work will be required in term-time, in line with the seniority of the role. Up to 5 days of leave must be taken over the Christmas period. Public holidays in term-time are normal working days, with a day off in lieu given at another time. Most holiday should be taken during school holidays, although ad hoc days off are permitted in term-time.
Additional information
Closing date: 9:00am, Monday 9 November 2026
Interview dates: week commencing 16 November 2026
Uppingham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful candidates must be willing to undergo full screening in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE), including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Safeguarding and the welfare of pupils will be explored at interview.