Shiplake College is an HMC co-educational boarding and day school offering a holistic education for around 580 pupils from Year 7 to Sixth Form. There has been a co-educational Sixth Form since 1998 and in September 2023 girls joined in Year 7 as we look to the future as a fully co-educational place of learning - as of September 2025 all co-educational year groups (Years 7-9 and Sixth Form) have 40% girls. As well as providing a fantastic learning and living environment for young people, Shiplake offers an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding working environment.
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Current Vacancies
Thank you for your interest in working at Shiplake College, please see below our current vacancies.
Housemaster/Housemistress
Salary: Competitive (includes accommodation, meals, and benefits)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Start Date: September 2026
Open to teaching and non-teaching candidates
We are seeking a vibrant, caring and dedicated boarding Housemaster/Housemistress to join our boys’ boarding house for full, weekly and flexi boarders. The House is currently for Years 9-11, extending to include Years 7 and 8 from 2027, with the possibility of some Sixth Form boarding provision as well.
You will be responsible for the safety, welfare and pastoral care of boarders, working closely with the Deputy Head Pastoral and the wider pastoral team to ensure the highest standards of care. Together with the Deputy Housemaster/Housemistress, House Pastoral Leader and a dedicated team of tutors and you will create a warm, supportive home-from-home environment where pupils can thrive academically, socially and personally. You will build strong, trusting relationships with pupils, helping them develop self-reliance, confidence and resilience whilst providing the guidance and support they need during their time at Shiplake College.
We're looking for someone with a genuine passion for young people's wellbeing and development, with the warmth, empathy and interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with pupils, parents and staff. You'll be organised, reliable and calm under pressure, able to manage multiple responsibilities and respond effectively to the varied demands of boarding life. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential, along with the ability to always maintain appropriate boundaries and professional standards.
The successful candidate will be flexible, enthusiastic and proactive, with the resilience and sense of humour needed to thrive in a busy boarding environment. You'll share our values and ethos and be committed to providing an outstanding boarding experience for every pupil in your care.
Housemaster/Housemistress Candidate Pack
Teaching Staff Application Form
Support/Non-Teaching Staff Application Form
Closing Date: Thursday 29 January, 10am
Interviews: Week commencing Monday 2 February 2026
Early applications are encouraged for this role. We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date if an early application from a suitable applicant is received.
To Apply
To apply for a current vacancy please complete the relevant application form provided and return, with a covering letter addressed to the Headmaster, via email to [email protected].
If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact, Ms Claire Smith, HR Administrator on [email protected] or 01189 405 218.
The College reserves the right to appoint before the application deadline.
If you should have any queries regarding employment at Shiplake College, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Safeguarding
Shiplake College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Shiplake College is also committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
About Working at Shiplake College
We strive to recruit the best possible teaching and support staff to drive the College forwards and ensure we continue to provide the best possible rounded education for our pupils. Our recruitment selection and disclosures policy can be accessed at the link below.
For all teaching appointments, a willingness to participate in the varied extra-curricular life of a busy boarding and day school is essential. Shiplake has a defined contribution pension scheme (APTIS or alternative option for support staff) and its own salary scale. Accommodation may be available on site and further paid responsibilities may also be available. Excellence in the classroom and an ability to inspire young people are paramount and non-negotiable.
Shiplake College offers a beautiful working environment, supportive colleagues and all staff enjoy a free lunch and evening meal if on duty. In addition, staff are encouraged to make use of the onsite gym facilities, open air swimming (during summer months), and join a variety of staff teams such as football, touch rugby and cricket.
Thinking School
At Shiplake College, we are proud to be a Thinking School, where metacognition forms a core part of our teaching and learning culture. Every lesson includes a metacognitive element, supporting pupils to develop awareness of how they learn as well as what they learn. This approach is firmly rooted in the science of learning, with all staff using consistent visual tools and shared language to help pupils articulate their thinking and learning strategies. New members of staff receive dedicated training in the principles of cognitive science and metacognitive practice as part of their induction, and this professional development continues throughout the year with ongoing guidance, resources, and reflective opportunities. As a result, we work together as a cohesive, thoughtful community, equipping our pupils with the skills to become confident, independent learners.
Learning Research Group
All teaching staff at Shiplake College are expected to contribute to the Learning Research Group within their first two years of joining the College, with Early Career Teachers (ECTs) expected to engage within their first year. The Learning Research Group is built around the model of practitioner research, where teachers undertake research into their own classroom practice with the specific aim of solving problems and improving teaching and learning. Unlike purely theoretical research, practitioner research is directly focused on enhancing professional practice. The process follows a one-year cycle: staff join or lead a research group in the autumn term, complete secondary research in the spring, and carry out and report on their research in the summer term. Findings are then published in an in-house journal at the start of the next academic year, with staff sharing their work through presentations at September INSET. Recent research projects have included topics such as metacognition for SEND learners, the use of AI in the classroom, pupil feedback to improve practice, and the merits of digital versus handwritten learning, among many others. This culture of reflective practice and professional enquiry is central to our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.