UCS Hampstead is a leading London day school that combines the highest standards of academic achievement and pastoral care with outstanding facilities for all-round education, with a distinctive liberal ethos. UCS was founded to be different from other schools and it remains so today, having positioned itself as one of the leading co-educational, independent, day schools in the country. Founded in Gower Street in 1830 as part of University College London, UCS moved to generous buildings in Hampstead in 1907. The UCS family comprises three separate schools offering an outstanding education to children aged five to 18 at each stage of their development.

UCS was founded as a tolerant community without religious or ethnic barriers. Its liberal philosophy lends the School a distinctiveness of which it is extremely proud. The School is committed to academic excellence but believes that this should be more than a narrow aim in itself. Excellence at UCS at every level from age five to 18 results not only from effective teaching and learning, but depends upon respect for the individuality of each pupil, recognition of each pupil's talents, interests and potential, and a very high quality of personal care. Education at UCS is a friendly and purposeful co-operation between school, pupil and home.

Over the coming years in the run up to the school’s 200th anniversary in 2030, UCS hopes to maintain its position as one of the top academic schools in London, and to increase its bursary provision to less advantaged pupils. From its beginning in 1830, UCS has had at its core, a commitment to access, with a pledge that religion should be no bar to entry. In the 21st century, the School adds a further commitment – that the education it provides will not be restricted solely to those who can afford it. UCS consistently ranks at the top of independent schools in London for the number of 100% bursaries awarded each year and is firmly committed to promoting and increasing access to its unique education through fee assistance. It also has substantial plans to invest in a school improvement project and will endeavour to be at the forefront of digital change and innovation in education.

The day-to-day running of UCS rests in the hands of the executive team under the Headmaster, Mark Beard, the Senior Leadership Team and the staff. The Governing Council is responsible for advising on the overall strategic priorities and, where appropriate, guiding on particular areas of expertise.

Governors ensure that there is a clear long-term strategy for UCS, allowing the executive team to have the scope and confidence to handle the day-to-day challenges, while holding them to account through constructive challenge. It is also hoped that Governors will engage with school life beyond Board meetings, such as attending regular and ad hoc events.

UCS is excited to have recently appointed an experienced Director of Development who will lead the strategic planning and execution of the School's Development strategy, with a particular focus on the 200th anniversary in 2030. In addition to their broader responsibilities as a Governor, it is hoped that this appointee will act as a useful strategic guide and mentor to the growing Development Office.

UCS seeks to appoint a new Governor with experience, as either an executive or a non-executive, overseeing major charitable development and fundraising campaigns. They will leverage this experience in guiding and challenging UCS, acting as a mentor to its newly-appointed Director of Development, as it looks ahead to its 200th anniversary in 2030, which it hopes will be an effective vehicle for achieving a significant uplift in its bursary provision.

The successful candidate is unlikely to be a current Director of Development / Fundraising. They are more likely to be the Patron or Chair of a large charity which has recently run a successful fundraising campaign. They will have a highly strategic understanding of such campaigns, allowing them to provide guidance and support to both the Board and the School's executive team as it builds its development strategy. Experience within the education sector is not required, but a passion for it is expected. The appointed Governor will need to be a high-achieving individual with the ability to advise and challenge an impressive Board.

Applicants who have a connection with UCS, for example through being an Old Gower, are strongly encouraged to apply. 

The successful candidate will be a strong communicator, a natural collaborator and an advocate for education and UCS’s values. It is important that candidates are willing and able to invest time and energy in the role.

A full list of current members of the Governing Council can be found here.   

This role is unremunerated, however reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are three main Governing Council meetings each year, plus a strategy away day, and three Committee meetings. In addition to this, Governors are expected to spend c. one day per term at UCS attending events and visiting the different sections of the School. The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed twice at the discretion of the Board, once for four years, and then for two more years. 

Governors are subject to an enhanced DBS check and a Section 128 check to ensure they are not prohibited from taking part in the management of an independent school.

Governors will be able attend in-person meetings and School events

UCS welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from under-represented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.