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.
Community and Development Officer (also known as Alumni and Events Officer)
To start as soon as possible
Salary £25k
Full time, all year round
We are looking to recruit an organised, creative and enthusiastic Community and Development Officer who enjoys all aspects of event organisation, is a highly effective communicator and would relish building and running a vibrant programme for our former pupils and staff and other members of the Shiplake community.
The successful candidate will become a key member of a small but enthusiastic team that oversees the admissions, marketing, alumni and development functions of the College. The post holder will support the Head of Community and Development in building and running a vibrant programme for our former pupils and staff (known as Old Vikings) and for overseeing a variety of College events.
The role is for 7.5 hours a day, Monday to Friday, all year round (with 30 days annual leave and bank holidays). Some flexibility is required in working hours, in particular for evening and weekend events. The role will be managed by the Head of Community and Development and report to the Director of External Relations.
Community and Development Officer Candidate Pack
Support Staff Application Form
Application Deadline: Monday 2 March, 10.00am
Interviews: Thursday 5 March
We reserve the right to interview early applicants.
Exam Invigilators, Scribes and Readers
Flexible hours during exam seasons
£14.16 per hour
We are looking to increase our team of Exam Invigilators, Scribes and Readers to support the exam processes at Shiplake College. You will be working with a dedicated team who are passionate about delivering a professional, procedurally correct exam experience for our pupils.
Responsibilities could include setting up the exam rooms, ensuring pupils receive the appropriate question and answer papers and that the rigorous procedures are followed throughout. Those undertaking Reader responsibilities will read exam instructions and questions aloud, accurately and clearly. Scribes produce accurate, verbatim transcripts of answers dictated by the pupil.
Regardless of whether you are keen to specialise in one element of the role or are happy to carry out all 3 elements we would love to hear from you.
Our exam periods are November, January/February and May/June and various morning or afternoon sessions are available during these periods. Successful candidates will undergo comprehensive initial training and annual refresher training.
Exam Invigilators Candidate Pack
Support Staff Application Form
Closing Date: Monday 9 March, 10am
Interviews: W/C Monday 9 March
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: 10am on Friday 13 March
Interview Date: Interview to be held the following week
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.