In response to sustained enrolment growth and a renewed strategic vision, a leading independent co-educational grammar school in Melbourne engaged Future Leadership to lead the executive search for a newly created leadership position designed to guide and shape the Middle School years during a critical phase of student development. The appointment of a dedicated Head of Middle School signals the school’s deep commitment to delivering an exceptional learning experience that thoughtfully balances academic excellence with emotional wellbeing, character formation, and a strong foundation in inclusive, values-based education.
The Brief
Future Leadership™ partnered with the College to appoint a Head of Middle School for an Independent Co-educational Grammar School offering education from ELC to 12. The school aimed to uphold its commitment to excellence in both academic and co-curricular areas within a supportive environment.
The school sought a senior leader with significant pastoral and Head of House experience, a strong understanding of adolescent development, and the emotional intelligence and vulnerability to lead with empathy. Key requirements included operational expertise, a collaborative and egalitarian leadership style, and the ability to communicate effectively across all members of the school community during a period of positive transformation.
The Process
Future Leadership partnered closely with the Principal and executive team to design a targeted search strategy. The brief was to identify candidates who could authentically lead the Middle School’s pastoral and operational functions while embracing the school’s unique Parallel Learning model and inclusive culture.
The search focused on education leaders with proven track records in middle years education, innovative programming, and pastoral care within both co-educational and single-gender contexts. Candidates were assessed on their emotional intelligence, understanding of adolescent development, and leadership styles that foster collaboration and community engagement.
Throughout the process, Future Leadership maintained transparent communication with the school’s leadership to refine the candidate profile and ensure alignment with its values and strategic ambitions. The search attracted a broad and diverse candidate pool from both the independent and government education sectors, offering a wide range of perspectives and experience.
Rigorous interviews, stakeholder engagement, and reference checks ensured the final shortlist demonstrated the operational excellence, interpersonal capability, and strategic insight required for this newly established leadership role.
The Outcome
The successful appointment of the school’s inaugural Head of Middle School marks a pivotal milestone in its ongoing evolution. The new Head brings extensive pastoral leadership experience, a deep understanding of adolescent development, and a strong commitment to fostering wellbeing and academic excellence within middle years education.
This appointment supports the school’s strategic objectives, including enrolment growth, enhanced community cohesion, and the delivery of an educational experience that balances academic rigour with emotional intelligence and whole-child wellbeing. With a collaborative and adaptive leadership style, the Head of Middle School is well placed to strengthen partnerships with staff, students, and families while embodying the school’s ethos of action and integrity.
As the Middle School grows toward a projected enrolment of 450 students by 2026, the Head will play a key role in cultivating a nurturing and dynamic environment where every student can thrive—fulfilling the school’s commitment to personalised learning and global citizenship.
