Schools Sector

We work across the entire schools sector, thinking beyond the obvious to find and develop proven and emerging leaders for independent schools, schools groups, academies, multi-academy trusts / school trusts, and for the sector body organisations that support them.

GatenbySanderson’s wider work in public life enables our schools team to provide insights beyond one sector. We support candidates as they move between sectors and we are relentless in our commitment to attracting diverse and innovative talent.

Our clients are united by a shared ambition to shape a better society.
We support them to make senior leadership and Board appointments that last.

Clients choose us for our sophisticated advocacy to candidates, and because we commit to searching beyond the usual people, backed by our firm’s cross-sector network and cutting edge AI.

Clients also choose us for our differentiated marketing, backed by our expert in-house team, and for our unique approach to candidate assessment that supports right fit, first time. We believe these elements combine to offer something distinctive at a time of considerable challenge for the UK schools sector.

GatenbySanderson did a great job in working closely with us to appoint our new Head of Foundation for September 2027. In Rosemary we were always in the hands of someone who knew the sector very well and had really strong market knowledge and insights which were invaluable. She led the project from start to finish, was always available and hands when we needed it, with a strong team around her in support. With GS’s different offering that includes video applications, psychometric tests and a staff engagement panel, we were able to test lots of elements with the candidates, giving us a range of data points to get to the right answer. I and the rest of the Governing Body are delighted with the appointment we have made and we came away very happy that we had worked with Rosemary and GS on this assignment.

We supply a wider evidence base to drive equitable, confident decision-making when appointing leaders, supporting our schools clients with tailored, objective assessments for every campaign.

From media exercises to test presentational ability, to simulations that test response in real-life situations, to staff engagement exercises and psychometric assessments, we are able offer bespoke solutions every time that are right for your context.

We support post appointment from Leadership and Talent Assessment to Development, Insight and Benchmarking.

We are hugely experienced in placing interim leaders who have the gravitas and communication skills to help you deliver transformative agendas.

We invest heavily in sourcing, developing and supporting the very best interims, building strong and personal relationships with them to understand their areas of expertise and link them successfully to our clients. Working across the schools sector and the wider sectors served by GatenbySanderson, we specialise in providing executive interim leaders to organisations that need immediate solutions at times of change.

Find out more about our Interim Practice.

Against a tight timescale and demanding brief for an interim senior executive appointment, Adeline and her team brought rigour, empathy, and professionalism at pace to provide a high-calibre shortlist. Their understanding of senior leadership recruitment and the school’s needs, combined with excellent communication and a highly personal approach, made for an extremely positive and successful experience.