Head of Pre-Prep - Full-time

Somerhill Charitable Trust Ltd, Tonbridge

• Ref:KCC886-6021-41L
• Posted:10/12/2025
• Pay:Competitive,based on qualifications and experience
• Start Date:1 September 2026
• App Close Date:07/01/2026 at 12:00
• Interviews:13 January 2026

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Somerhill is an extraordinary place to learn and work. Nestled in 150 acres of parkland, our school offers a unique combination of history, beauty and vibrancy. We believe passionately that early childhood should be filled with joy, curiosity and possibility, and our pre-prep provides the perfect environment for children to take their first steps into education with confidence and wonder. As our current Head of Pre-Prep prepares to take up her own headship, we look forward to welcoming a new colleague who will bring warmth, insight and inspiration to this vital stage of school life. This is a rare opportunity to lead a thriving pre-prep and shape the earliest experiences of Somerhill children.

The Head of Pre-Prep looks after approximately 200 pupils across Nursery, Kindergarten, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, and oversees a team of more than 35 dedicated staff, including the Deputy Head of Pre-Prep, Head of EYFS, teachers and teaching assistants. Working closely with the Head and the Senior Leadership Team, you will ensure excellence and consistency across EYFS and Key Stage 1, monitor children’s progress, and use assessment to drive continual improvement. The role brings a high degree of day-to-day autonomy while remaining deeply connected to the wider leadership of the school. With a strong focus on pastoral care, well-being, behaviour and family partnerships, you will help create a nurturing and inspiring environment for our youngest learners. You will also contribute to staff development, admissions, marketing, health and safety compliance, and the smooth running of daily operations while teaching for part of the week to remain closely connected to pupils and model best practice.

Information about the school

Somerhill is set in a stunning 400-year-old Jacobean mansion surrounded by 150 acres of beautiful parkland. You will be hard-pressed to find a more glorious setting for a school! We have excellent facilities including a multi-purpose sports hall, astroturf, indoor swimming pool complex and purpose-built music suite to name just a few.

Ours is a mixed ability school. Teachers really invest in the children and know them well, with lessons carefully planned to cater to all abilities. We have very bright and capable pupils and send more pupils to grammar schools each year than any other local school. Destinations include Tonbridge Grammar School, The Judd School, and The Skinners’ School. Some pupils are awarded scholarships at independent schools such as Tonbridge School, Sevenoaks School, Walthamstow Hall and Sutton Valence School at 11+/13+.

We also cater to children who find aspects of their learning more challenging and currently approximately 40 pupils receive additional support. Located just to the south of Tonbridge, we are readily accessed by a slip road off the A21.

Between the ages of 2 and 7 years, girls and boys are together in the classroom. This environment promotes uninhibited development at an age when playing and learning are often synonymous. From 7 to 13 years, children benefit from a single-sex classroom environment, where girls and boys learn in different and bespoke ways. The moment classes finish, everyone is together - at break and lunch as well as for sports, music, clubs and activities. This really is the best of both worlds for our children.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Jessica May
• Address:Tudeley Road, Somerhill, Tonbridge, Kent, TN11 0NJ
• Telephone: 01732 352124
• Email: jmay@somerhill.org

Fax: 01732 363381