Overview

Nestled within 80 acres of Suffolk countryside, Old Buckenham Hall (OBH) is one of East Anglia’s leading co-educational preparatory schools and is home to around 200 boarding and day children aged 2 to 13. OBH has a proud 160-year history, and children leave ready to thrive at some of the UK’s most prestigious senior schools, taking with them not just a strong foundation of knowledge but also the friendships and values that last a lifetime.

Building on that legacy, in January 2026 OBH will formally become part of the Rugby School Group. Rugby is renowned for its historic senior school in Warwickshire and its reputation for innovation, breadth, and the “Whole Person, Whole Point” ethos. The merger offers OBH the best of both worlds: the intimacy and character of a small country prep school, backed by the support, investment, and vision of a global education group.

Role

This is a unique prep school marketing role. OBH is seeking to appoint an exceptional Director of Marketing and Admissions to drive the development and implementation of its marketing, recruitment and communications strategies. The Rugby School Group merger creates the opportunity to shape and deliver the next chapter of OBH’s history and to execute a bold recruitment and marketing strategy that builds on the school’s traditions while ensuring OBH thrives in a competitive landscape.

Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Head and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, this is a high-profile leadership position. The successful candidate will demonstrate established and effective leadership skills, combined with extensive marketing and communications experience, commercial acumen, and stakeholder management and influencing abilities gained inside or outside the education sector.

Appointment details

Applications are encouraged from candidates who want to work on either a full- or part-time basis (minimum 4 days a week). A hybrid working arrangement may also be considered.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics in the first instance to arrange an informal and confidential discussion with Susannah Thompson via: susannahthompson@rsacademics.com

Further information and details of how to apply can be found on the RSAcademics website at rsacademics.com.

Important dates

Closing date: 10.00am on Wednesday 22 October 2025.

Safeguarding and equal opportunity

Old Buckenham Hall is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

The safeguarding responsibilities of this post are detailed in the candidate information brochure.

RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.