Job Description
In many respects, the role is akin to a CEO role in that the current structure empowers the Depute Rectors to lead and develop the Senior and Junior Schools, especially in terms of the operational day-to-day running of those schools. The Senior and Junior schools are high performing academically, pastorally and in terms of their co-curricular offering, and the next Rector will be a strong ambassador for the High School of Dundee’s distinctive education. A core focus will be whole school strategic development, and ensuring that the High School of Dundee remains well-positioned to seize the opportunities that curriculum change in Scotland, wider national change in Scotland, and UK-wide schools sector change continue to present.
Our retiring Rector Lise Hudson has been known for her visible leadership and strong connection with the entire school community, and so it will be important that her successor is a visible and encouraging leader while laying strong foundations for the future on the strategic and commercial side with the leadership team and the Board. When the appointee takes up their post in August 2026, the foundations will have been laid for a 3-18 curriculum review, and the School is also underway with an estate and capital programme review to ensure that the site remains fit for the future needs of the School. The new Rector will also take forward a whole School strategy with the Depute Rectors, COO and the Board. Work on this has already begun and centres on the educational, staffing, commercial and operational opportunities for the School in its next chapter.
The core elements of the role are:
- Leadership of whole school educational culture, fostering innovation, ownership and collaboration between different parts of the School.
- Developing the senior leadership team in their roles, in particular on the strategic side.
- Strategic leadership and future planning for the School, leading the development of an ambitious whole school strategy for the whole school, co-creating all elements with the senior team and seeking advice and input from the Board.
- Commercial leadership, in particular leading the School’s admissions, marketing and development efforts while partnering with the COO and Depute Rectors to ensure a sustainable operating model.
- Presenting the School effectively to wider audiences as a public figure, engaging with pupils, parents, staff, prospective families and prospective staff, former pupils, potential donors, sector partners and wider regional and national stakeholders.
