Head of Pre-Prep - Full-time

St Michael's Prep School, Otford

• Ref:KCC886-6016-342L
• Posted:08/12/2025
• Pay:Competitive
• Start Date:September 2026
• App Close Date:31/12/2025 at 23:00
• Interviews:15th & 16th January

Advert

St Michael’s is a leading independent day school for boys and girls aged 2 to 13, set in 100 acres of stunning grounds overlooking Sevenoaks in Kent. Founded in 1872, the School has a proud heritage of combining tradition with innovation, academic ambition with pastoral care, all within a truly exceptional natural setting.

We believe wholeheartedly in the value and importance of early years education. The foundations laid in these formative years are vital and at St Michael’s we are committed to ensuring that every child’s first experiences of school are joyful, nurturing and inspiring.

Our facilities are outstanding: from the Swimming Pool and Astro pitches to extensive play areas, beautifully maintained grounds and our dedicated Forest School. The purpose-built Pre-Prep, opened
13 years ago, blends the charm of the old with the practicality of the new, providing an inspiring environment for our youngest pupils. The Pre-Prep is a vibrant, nurturing community where curiosity
and confidence are fostered from the very beginning.

St Michael’s enjoys an excellent reputation, with high demand for places and a strong sense of family at its heart. This is a rare and exciting opportunity for an exceptional leader and manager of people - someone with drive, vision and ambition to build upon the excellent foundations laid by the current Head of Pre-Prep, who is retiring after more than a decade of dedicated service.

Working with autonomy, yet in close partnership with Mr Nik Pears, Head of St Michael’s since January 2021, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Pre-Prep and ensuring
that every child receives the very best start to their educational journey.

Closing date for applications: 31st December 2025

To apply, please email recruitment@stmichaels.kent.sch.uk with a comprehensive CV along with a covering

letter which sets out your interest in the role and encapsulates the aspects of your experience relevant to the required criteria.

Information about the school

St Michael’s is academically successful while remaining proud of its non‑selective, inclusive ethos and strong sense of community. Our academic and co‑curricular provision ensures that children flourish.

Our purpose‑built Pre‑Prep, with specialist spaces and wraparound care, provides a stimulating start to school life. The Early Years (Nursery to Reception) offer a nurturing foundation before pupils move into Years 1 and 2.

From Year 3, pupils join the Prep and benefit from excellent facilities and increased specialist teaching. Subject expertise grows progressively, with a more structured specialist model from Year 5, ensuring pupils are well prepared - academically, personally and organisationally - for senior school.

Our St Michael’s Learning Behaviours - Creativity, Independence, Resilience, Collaboration and Engagement - are introduced from Reception and embedded throughout the curriculum.

In Years 7 and 8, pupils benefit from the St Michael’s Diploma, an enquiry‑based programme designed to develop curiosity, confidence and creativity alongside Common Entrance and KS3 study.

Pupils move on at 11 and 13 to a wide range of leading independent, state and grammar schools, with recent offers including: Sevenoaks School, Tonbridge School, Caterham School, The Judd School, Kent College Pembury, Eastbourne College, King’s School Rochester, Ardingly College, Hurstpierpoint College, St Paul’s, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, The King’s School Canterbury, The Skinners’ School, Tonbridge Girls’ Grammar School and Brighton College.

In May 2024, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) published an excellent report recognising the strength of school life at St Michael’s, including a ‘significant strength’ for our culture of collaboration and mentorship.

St Michael’s is a standalone independent prep school governed by a Board of Governors responsible for strategic oversight. Day‑to‑day operational management is delegated to the Head and the Senior Leadership Team. The Board brings a breadth of professional expertise from sectors including law, finance, HR, engineering and education, providing strong, knowledgeable governance for the school.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Emma Blakiston
• Address:Otford Court, Row Dow, Otford, Kent, TN14 5RY
• Telephone: 01959 522137
• Email: recruitment@stmichaels.kent.sch.uk

Fax: 01959 522137