Principal

Principal, Castle Park School – Dalkey, Co. Dublin

Castle Park School, nestled on a spacious fifteen-acre campus in beautiful Dalkey, Co. Dublin, educates 385 girls and boys aged 3-12. For over 115 years, the school has blended academic rigor with a supportive, caring environment, allowing every pupil to truly thrive.

Their core values of inclusion, kindness, and respect underpin a thriving community spirit, deepened by their diverse student body, predominantly local, with a cohort of international pupils. This unique mix fosters global awareness and a strong connection to the local community.

Following a significant redevelopment, Castle Park’s pupils enjoy some of Ireland's best educational facilities, including an Olympic-sized sports hall, indoor swimming pool, Astroturf pitch, and modern spaces for science, languages, music, and art.

They are seeking a new Principal for 2026 to build upon the dedicated leadership of Mr. Stephen McKernan. This is a unique opportunity for a modern-minded educationalist to lead with traditional values, innovative pedagogy, and a global outlook.

The Role

Reporting to the Chair and Board of Governors of Castle Park School, the Principal’s role and responsibilities will include:

• Creating a clear and compelling vision for the future development and growth of Castle Park School over the coming years building on the strong foundation to date.
• Ensuring that the School is forward-looking, combining the best elements of an independent preparatory education with a modern and progressive approach to education.
• Embedding the school in the local community with outreach and service while welcoming a cohort of international students to foster a spirit of inclusivity and understanding. 
• Maintain the current provision of outstanding education in a sustainable manner.
• Determine, implement and monitor appropriate academic, pastoral, moral and spiritual curricula for the school in conjuction with the School’s leadership team.
• Further develop a programme of professional development to benefit staff’s own learning and support pupils’ development, furthering the educational aims of the whole school.
• Promote the development of a values-driven, supportive and compassionate organisation and maintain and develop the strong sense of community within the school.
• Review and maintain excellent communication throughout the school community, internally and externally.

The successful candidate will have:

• A strong and proven leadership track-record as a Head or experienced Deputy Head, Principal or Deputy Principal [or relevant experience at university level].
• Extensive and successful teaching experience and experience in curriculum development.
• A deep understanding of education for the 3-13 age group, and the current opportunities and challenges across the independent prep and pre-prep school sector.
• A track record of building meaningful relationships across the whole school community, both internally and externally.
• Experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating strategic plans aligned with a school’s mission, values, and long-term vision.
• A collaborative leadership style that fosters an open, inclusive, and values-driven working environment.
• Comprehensive experience in all aspects of staff management, including recruitment, professional development, retention, and performance evaluation.
• Proven success in managing school-wide resources—financial, human, and physical—with strategic oversight.
• Up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation and a strong commitment to embedding safeguarding values across the school.
• A university degree is essential; additional qualifications in leadership or management are highly desirable.

Odgers have been exclusively retained by Castle Park School to support them in the appointment of their next Principal.

For further information and details of how to apply, please visit: www.odgers.com/castleparkschool

Closing Date for receipt of applications: 12 noon Friday 25^th July 2025