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.
Teacher of Business Studies and/or Economics
Starting September 2026
Full time
Due to an overall increase in pupil numbers and a growth in demand in the subject, we are seeking to appoint an inspiring and passionate Teacher of Business Studies and/or Economics to join our successful and busy department to start in September 2026.
This is a superb opportunity for a suitably qualified, inspirational dynamic and enthusiastic individual to teach across Years 9-13. Business Studies is a strong subject at the College and one of our most popular Sixth Form subjects.
The role would suit an energetic teacher committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning; a teacher who can inspire and challenge all of our pupils to achieve their personal bests. We will consider all levels of teaching experience, looking for candidates with the ability to teach GCSE Business (Key Stage 4) and A-level and CTEC Business, and/or A-level Economics (Key Stage 5).
Applications are welcomed from teachers who will strive for excellence in all aspects of their practice.
Early applications are welcomed, as the College reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the application process.
Teacher of Business Studies/Economics Candidate Pack
Teaching Staff Application Form
Closing Date: Monday 23 March 2026, 10am
Interviews: Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 March 2026
Graduate Drama Assistant
25 hours per week – term time plus INSET
Starting September 2026
£12,820.10 per annum (actual salary) plus excellent benefits and on-site accommodation may be available
This is an exciting opportunity for a Drama graduate, with a passion for theatre and performing arts, to develop their skills and experience life at a leading independent boarding school. This is a one-year contract starting in September 2026, with the possibility that the contract will be renewed for a second year in September 2027.
You will join the College’s thriving, exciting and busy Drama department and provide support for every aspect of the school’s productions; together with assisting the department with their teaching and delivering a varied programme of curricular Drama and co-curricular provision.
Duties and responsibilities will include sourcing, making or hiring costumes; sets and props; advising and organising the sound and lighting design; care and maintenance of sound and lighting equipment; marketing and publicising productions; budget management; reprographics support within the department; and editing and management of videos and video equipment.
The ideal candidate will have excellent organisational skills; the ability to work to strict deadlines; be at ease thinking outside the box; be comfortable working with groups of pupils and be able to offer inspirational and creative ideas for all areas of technical designs for exam performance pieces and productions. You will also have a working knowledge of lighting and sound equipment, Microsoft Office, video editing software and health and safety.
We offer a competitive salary, excellent free lunches, and a contributory pension scheme together with access to our gym and sporting facilities and a beautiful working environment.
Early applications are welcomed, as the College reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the application process.
Graduate Drama Assistant Candidate Pack
Teaching Staff Application Form
Closing Date: Friday 10 April 2026, 10am
Interviews: Week commencing 13 April 2026
Residential Graduate Assistant
£20,000 per annum
Starting September 2026
Fixed term contract until July 2027
Shiplake College is seeking to appoint a highly motivated and inspirational individual looking to gain experience living, working and teaching in a boarding school environment. This role is an excellent opportunity for someone who is looking to explore a possible career in teaching because of the hands-on experience you will gain. We will provide support, mentoring and teaching experience ahead of a potential application for a PGCE.
The successful candidate will be expected to immerse themselves in the day-to-day life of a busy boarding school through a variety of roles including supporting the house, working with the pastoral team, supporting teaching and undertaking co-curricular activities. You can expect to assist with the boarders’ weekend activities, supervise Sixth Form independent study periods and contribute to our wide co-curricular programme. Therefore, the working hours will include working during the school day, in the evenings, alternate weekend house cover and supporting whole school events.
In the boarding house, you will work closely with the Houseparent and House Pastoral Leader and a dedicated team of tutors. Alongside the Houseparent you will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the house as well as efficiently managing its staffing, organisation and resources. You will be a confident role model for the pupils and integrate on a professional level during break-times, games sessions and supervised prep. The normal working hours will be 40 hours per week with the understanding that there is a need for flexibility in this regard. Onsite accommodation is provided to enable you to be available for the needs of the House.
Early applications are welcomed, as the College reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the application process.
Residential Graduate Assistant Candidate Pack
Support Staff Application Form
Closing Date: Thursday 9 April, 10am
Interviews: Week commencing Monday 13 April
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.
Electrician
Salary: circa £40k per annum depending on experience
40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, all year round with 25 days holiday and all bank holidays
To start as soon as possible
We're seeking a skilled and motivated Electrician to join our Estates team as soon as possible.
This is a full-time role working all year round, across all areas of the College and is responsible for all electrical maintenance, inspection, installation, testing and rectification work.
This is a hands-on role where you will be required to work independently and prioritise your workload effectively understanding that working in a busy boarding school environment means safety, reliability and minimal disruption are paramount. The successful candidate will be professional, dependable and proactive - someone who enjoys being part of a wider collaborative team.
Support Staff Application Form
Closing Date: Applications considered upon receipt
Interview Date: Interview to be held the following week