DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | THE LEYS CAMBRIDGE

As one of the country’s leading independent schools, The Leys places high expectations on all its staff and demands that the whole community works together to ensure that the School remains at the forefront of educational excellence and innovation whilst capitalising on our very special position in the heart of Cambridge.

Established in 1875, The Leys values its history, yet it blends traditional values - kindness, courtesy, tolerance, respect, decency - with a forward-looking and outward-looking approach to education. Dedicated staff and superb facilities combine powerfully as we prepare young people for the challenges which lie ahead at university and beyond. We have always believed that school is, or should be, about far more than merely “preparation for life”. Our ambition is that Leysians will be able to look back on their experiences here as amongst the most intrinsically rewarding, challenging and stimulating chapters of their developing lives.

Buoyed by an outstandingly positive Inspection Report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (report published January 2023), this would be an exciting time to be joining The Leys community as we approach our 150th anniversary in 2025.

We have in recent years established a strong relationship with Royal SpringBoard, the UK’s leading boarding school bursary charity.

Our “Gift of Education” programme is well established as our main fundraising priority, and we are proud to have a growing number of pupils in the School on life-transforming, 110% means-tested bursaries, providing the breath-taking opportunities of a Leysian education to children who typically come from a background of social disadvantage. This programme not only offers many children the transformative gift of education, but serves also to enrich our School by enhancing academic and wider curricular standards as well as widening participation.

Alongside this special focus, the Director of Development will lead and spearhead a team whose role in friend-raising and fund-raising is at the heart of the School’s mission and activity.?

Following a campaign to raise funds for Great Hall which opened in 2014, much progress has been made in recent years terms of engagement with Old Leysians, legacies programme, a successful series of telephone fundraising campaigns, the digitalisation of Old Leysian newsletters, the introduction of an annual Giving Day, updating and enhancing the fundraising database and many other facets of its operations.

The Development Office is on a very positive trajectory, whilst there remain significant and exciting opportunities for further development as we approach our 150th Anniversary. The Director of Development would have a leading role in helping to formulate, shape, articulate and drive the School’s Development strategy and would have regular access, and answer directly, to the Headmaster.

The opportunity to be involved in senior school-wide strategic discussions is also anticipated; additionally, the Development Director would be expected to keep in touch with Old Leysians across the world and to be a professional and engaging ambassador for The Leys at alumni receptions across the globe.

Download the Candidate Information Pack