Staff Vacancies

Thornton College is a leading independent Catholic day and boarding school for girls, offering a warm and nurturing educational environment alongside a rigorous and exciting curriculum.

The school is part of the wider Jesus and Mary Trust that educates young people in 31 countries across the world. It is set within 25 acres of beautiful parkland just outside Buckingham and within easy reach of Milton Keynes and conveniently located between Oxford & Cambridge. Children of all Christian denominations, of other faiths and of no faith are welcome in our school. All are equally valued and all are equally important.

Thornton is a school that parents and girls can trust to deliver the highest standards of education coupled with outstanding pastoral care. We are dedicated to blending academic excellence with a richness of opportunity beyond the classroom. We believe that teaching and learning should be both challenging and enjoyable for pupils of all abilities and we aim for the highest possible standards. Our academic results are testament to the way the girls are challenged and motivated to give their best in all they do.

There is an exciting School Development Plan, which has the continued strengthening of the school’s academic standing as the priority. In October 2022, the school received ‘Excellent’ in all areas in its ISI inspection and in May 2024, the CSI judged the school to be ‘Outstanding’ in all areas noting the school’s ‘commitment to the flourishing of every member of the community.’ Our most recent ISI inspection commented positively on the ‘rapid’ academic progress made by students across the school and the ‘high levels of self-esteem and self-confidence’ evident amongst students. Thornton College is an accredited NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education) school and received accreditation from the British Council with the International Schools Award 2025-2028. In 2025, the school was shortlisted as Independent Girls’ School of the Year.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All vacancies within the school are subject to child protection screening which includes an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Please note: Tours of the school are given to shortlisted candidates at interview.

Any current Staff Vacancies and Job Descriptions are listed below.

Prep Teacher

For June 2026, Thornton College are looking to appoint a fixed term Preparatory School teacher with Form Tutor responsibilities. The position is Fixed Term starting on the 2nd June, the successful candidate will work part-time, two days per week and then full-time from 15th June until 3rd July.

The successful candidate can be sure of working with a team of extremely dedicated staff in a very motivating, forward-thinking school environment. The school offer a range of staff benefits including generous fee remission for eligible children, free onsite parking, and access to our extensive grounds and facilities.

The ideal candidate will be not just enthusiastic, but deeply passionate about teaching and learning, with the vision, commitment and determination to continue raising standards for all our students. She/he will inspire and challenge our young people to enable them to develop into highly effective, independent learners and achieve their potential as individuals, both during their time at Thornton and in the future.
Salary will be commensurate with experience.
Closing Date for applications: 8^th May 2026
Interviews: w/c 11 May, 2026
Start date: w/c 1 June, 2026

Prep Teacher JD 2026

The School reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the application process.

To apply send a covering letter addressed to the Head Teacher Dr Louise Shaw summarising your suitability for the post along with a completed application form to the School address:
Thornton College
College Lane
Thornton
Milton Keynes
MK170HJ

Or by email to PA to the Head Teacher, Miss T Robinson at trobinson@thorntoncollege.com
Thornton College will carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates in line with the updated guidance from KCSIE to identify any incidents or issues, related to suitability to work with children, that may need to be raised or clarified at interview.

Thornton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo an Enhanced DBS and barred list check by the Disclosures and Barring Service. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Please do not hesitate to contact Miss Taryn Robinson, PA to the Head, should you have any queries.
Email: trobinson@thorntoncollege.com

Pastoral Lead (Year 7 & 8)

Pastoral Lead (Year 7&8) with Learning Development responsibilities

For September 2026 (earlier start possible) Thornton College is looking to appoint a Pastoral Lead for Year 7 & 8 which would include Year 7 Transition Lead and Head of Year responsibilities along with Learning Development responsibilities.

This is a full time, term- time only position, working 8am – 6pm. This is a non-teaching role.

Our 2024 CSI Inspection judged the school to be ‘Outstanding’ in all areas and our most recent (2025) ISI Inspection commented positively on the ‘rapid’ academic progress made by students across the school and the ‘high levels of self-esteem and self-confidence’ evident in the student body. We are accredited by both NACE and the British Council (International Schools Award) and in 2025 were shortlisted as Independent Girls’ School of the Year. The successful candidate can be sure of working with a team of extremely dedicated staff in a very motivating, forward-thinking school environment. The school offer a range of staff benefits including generous fee remission for eligible children, free onsite parking, and access to our extensive grounds and facilities.

The desirable candidate will not just be enthusiastic but deeply passionate about the wellbeing and safety of the children in their care and they will inspire and challenge our young people to enable them to develop into highly effective, independent learners and achieve their potential as individuals, both during their time at Thornton and in the future.

Pastoral Lead (Year 7 & 8) with TA duties

Salary: Actual term time only salary £21,301.00 gross per annum [FTE £27,016.00 gross per annum]

Closing Date for applications: 12^th May 2026

Interviews: w/c 15^th May 2026

Early applications are advised as the School reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the application process.

If you are selected for interview, we may notify you before the closing date.

Thornton College will carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates in line with the updated guidance from KCSIE to identify any incidents or issues, related to suitability to work with children, that may need to be raised or clarified at interview.

Please do not hesitate to contact Miss Taryn Robinson, PA to the Head, should you have any queries.

Email: trobinson@thorntoncollege.com

Teacher of Art

For September 2026, we are looking to appoint a Teacher of Art to teach in our highly successful Art and Photography Department. The successful candidate can be sure of working with a team of extremely dedicated staff in a very motivating, forward-thinking school environment.

This is a flexible appointment, and the final structure of the role will be shaped by the experience, interests and availability of the successful candidate.

The role may include one of the following combinations:

Teacher of Art (0.6 FTE/ 3.5 days per week), with the option to take on Head of Year responsibility for Years 7 & 8
A full-time role combining Art teaching and PSHEE teaching across the Senior School, together with the option to take on Head of Year responsibility for Years 7 & 8.

The ideal candidate will be not just enthusiastic, but deeply passionate about the teaching and learning of Art and Photography, with the vision, commitment and determination to continue raising standards for all our students. The ability to teach Photography is preferable, but is not essential, as training will be provided.

Teacher of Art

Candidates will be required to showcase a portfolio of personal work.

Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Closing Date for applications: Friday 12^thJune, 2026

Interviews: w/c Monday 15^th June 2026

Early applications are advised as the School reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the application process. If you are selected, we may notify you before the closing date.

Please do not hesitate to contact Miss Taryn Robinson, PA to the Head, should you have any queries.

Email: trobinson@thorntoncollege.com

Thornton College Vacancy Application Form

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