Following the retirement of its highly respected and long-serving Bursar, Hornsby House School now seeks an exceptional successor to help lead the next chapter of this thriving and much-loved school.
Founded in 1988 by Bevé Hornsby, whose pioneering approach championed the importance of understanding and nurturing every child as an individual, Hornsby House has grown into one of South West London’s most established and distinctive independent prep schools. Today, the School educates more than 430 girls and boys aged 4–11 and enjoys an enviable reputation for combining academic ambition with warmth, individuality and outstanding pastoral care.
Situated between Balham and Wandsworth Common, Hornsby House occupies a strong position within London’s highly competitive independent school market. Families are drawn to its genuine co-educational ethos, broad and balanced curriculum, excellent preparation for 11+ transition and, above all, a culture in which children are known, valued and encouraged to flourish. The School continues to invest ambitiously in its future while remaining deeply rooted in the values that have shaped its success.
At the heart of Hornsby House life are its guiding values of Head, Heart and Spirit: intellectual curiosity and excellence; kindness, empathy and community; and resilience, creativity and wholehearted participation. These values inform every aspect of school life and have created a vibrant, inclusive and joyful environment for pupils and staff alike.
The Bursar will join the School at an exciting and important moment in its development. Working closely with the Head, Governors and senior leadership team, the successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership across finance, operations, estates, compliance and commercial stewardship. This is a broad and influential role requiring sound judgement, excellent leadership capability and a genuine affinity with the values and purpose of independent education.
For the right individual, this represents a rare opportunity: to inherit a strong platform built by a successful predecessor and to help shape the future of a flourishing, ambitious and values-led school community.
Applications are welcomed from candidates who combine commercial and operational expertise with warmth, integrity and a commitment to educational excellence.
Hornsby House 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 14th August 2026.
Screening interviews conducted by the ISBA recruitment team will be held for long-listed candidates and short-listed candidates will attend first stage interviews week commencing 14th September 2026 at Hornsby House School, and, if invited, final panel interviews week commencing 21st September 2026.
The successful applicant will be required to complete a self-disclosure Medical Questionnaire.
