Shrewsbury School is an independent co-educational boarding and day school for around 830 pupils aged between 13 and 18. Founded in 1552, it stands as one of the UK's premier independent boarding schools (Independent School of the Year 2020), combining tradition with a vibrant, modern co-educational vision. Packwood Haugh Prep School (co-educational, boarding and day school for pupils aged 3-13) became part of the Shrewsbury family of Schools in 2019. Shrewsbury is a registered charity with a number of wholly-owned trading companies, an annual income of over £25m and a staff of 400.

Fully co-educational, with a seven-day boarding heartbeat and an integral day community, the School caters to both boys and girls, providing a dynamic and supportive environment for their intellectual and personal development. With a sprawling 110-acre campus that seamlessly blends historic architecture with modern facilities, Shrewsbury School offers a unique and vibrant atmosphere conducive to learning and personal growth.

Boasting a student body of diverse backgrounds, Shrewsbury School is known for its commitment to small class sizes, ensuring individualised attention and fostering a sense of community among its students. The School's storied history is reflected in its commitment to traditional values, while simultaneously embracing innovation in its teaching methods and extracurricular programs. Shrewsbury School prides itself on cultivating well-rounded individuals, encouraging intellectual curiosity, and instilling a sense of responsibility and leadership which extends beyond the classroom.

The current school roll in September is around 830 pupils, of whom more than three-quarters are full boarders and around 20% are non-UK passport holders. Shrewsbury School has expanded its educational footprint globally with a family of international schools which mirror the commitment to academic excellence and holistic development established at its flagship campus. The history of this expansion dates back to 2003 with the opening of Bangkok Riverside, and the family now comprises schools in Hong Kong, Cambodia and a further campus in Bangkok.  

Governors are responsible for the overall management and control of Shrewsbury School and Packwood Haugh Prep School, ensuring that the Schools each fulfil their missions.

They do this by:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the Schools and their pupils, and the performance management of staff
• Overseeing the financial performance of the Schools and making sure money is well spent

The successful candidate will join the International Development Committee. Terms of Reference for the Committee can be found here. 

Shrewsbury School is seeking to appoint a new Governor who will join the Board's International Development Committee and the Board of Governors of Shrewsbury School in the UK. The appointed Governor will provide specific support and challenge in areas relating to Shrewsbury's international family of schools, which currently includes campuses in Thailand, Hong Kong and Cambodia.

The successful candidate could come from a wide range of backgrounds, provided they have operated at a senior strategic level. They will be an accomplished communicator, adept at fostering effective relationships. Strong advocacy and diplomacy skills are essential, as the role entails representing Shrewsbury in various multicultural environments. The successful candidate must demonstrate a genuine passion for British independent education, coupled with the ability to navigate complex situations with tact and cultural sensitivity.

Applicants do not need to have a connection with Shrewsbury School, however they must feel a strong sense of alignment with its mission, values and ethos. They must also feel confident that they have the time to engage fully with the role.

A full list of current Governors can be found here. 

This role is unremunerated. However any expenses incurred in carrying out Governor duties will be reimbursed by the School. In the case of international travel, all flights, accommodation and meals are covered upfront by the Shrewsbury international schools. There are three main Board meetings per year, which take place at the School, plus a strategy day. This Governor will also join the International Development Committee (IDC), a sub-committee of the Board. IDC meets a further three times per year, usually in-person at the School however online attendance can be supported. 

IDC members will ideally commit to undertaking three separate one-week trips to the Shrewsbury international schools. This will involve visiting Shrewsbury Schools around the world for monitoring purposes, and working with both existing and prospective partners. All expenses will of course be covered for these trips. Shrewsbury would be open to considering particularly strong candidates who cannot make all three trips, but can commit to one or two. If this is the case, please state this in your supporting letter. 

The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed twice at the discretion of the Board.

This organisation is based in Shrewsbury and meetings usually take place in person. However, existing Board members are based all over the UK and so the School welcomes applicants based anywhere provided they can commit to regular travel to Shrewsbury.