School Business Manager

Durham High School is a leading Independent Day School, educating pupils from Nursery through to the Sixth Form. Founded in 1884, Durham High School was established to champion girls’ education at a time when opportunities for young women were rare. While early views reflected the norms of that era, they marked the beginning of our journey toward equality in education. Today, we continue that legacy by embracing a more inclusive future, welcoming boys from September 2025, enabling girls and boys to learn side by side.

The School is consistently the best in County Durham for academic excellence and pastoral support. Our girls achieved outstanding results in 2024 with 82.6% of pupils attaining grades A*-B at A Level and 67.8% of our GCSE pupils attaining grades 9-7. All of these results were significantly higher than the national average.

High expectations, both in and beyond the classroom, ensure High School pupils leave us as well-rounded, independent and confident young adults, with excellent academic qualifications and a sound moral and spiritual basis for the next stage of their lives.

We were honoured to be named The Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year 2025 in December—a testament to the exceptional education and care we provide.

In December 2024 Durham High School became the second school to join the Galaxy Global Education Group. The group was founded by Mrs Shangmei Gao, who is the principal lead in the Jiangsu Huai’an Education Group, founded in the Jiangsu Province of China in 2003. It operates three large schools in China and there are now four schools in the UK. The group is committed to expanding its presence in the UK education sector.

The Board and Headmistress are seeking to appoint a financially astute, analytical and commercially minded person to become the new Business Manager (BM) at Durham High School. This is an outstanding opportunity for a candidate looking to develop school leadership skills and will suit an individual aiming for a high-level career in independent schools.

Working as a member of the Senior Leadership Team of the school, and as part of the Galaxy Global Education Group’s Director of Finance and Operations’ team, the BM’s key direct reports are the Accounts Manager, Network Manager and Estates Manager.

The BM will play a major role in the School’s strategic direction, working with the Board and GDFO to develop a long-term strategic plan and with the Headmistress in implementing strategies and tactics to achieve long term aims.

The successful candidate will possess excellent financial and operational experience with a proven track record of multi-disciplinary management. A collaborative leadership style and a proactive approach with the ability to think strategically will be essential as will be the desire to fully immerse yourself in all aspects of school life.

Previous experience of working in a school is not required however you will need to demonstrate a genuine interest in the education and aspirations of young people, combined with a desire to support the ethos of Durham High School and the vision for its future.

Salary: Circa £65,000

How to Apply
Durham High School is being assisted in the recruitment of this key appointment by the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA), from whom a Candidate Pack can be obtained by sending an email to recruiting@theisba.org.uk Alternatively if you would like to discuss the position with ISBA prior to applying, please contact Lucy Wyatt on 07817 038009.

Closing date for applications is 16th June 2025

The ISBA reserves the right to close this position early in the event that they receive a high volume of suitable applicants.

Durham High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young persons and candidates must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service and will be asked to bring certain documents to interview to confirm their identity.