Founding Deputy Head of College

Bemke College is an ambitious new international secondary school with boarding, located in Wadowice near Krakow in southern Poland, and scheduled to open in September 2027. The College forms part of the wider Bemke Hub educational ecosystem, an innovative 32-hectare education campus that also includes a private kindergarten, a state primary school and a growing range of educational, cultural, sporting and community facilities. Conceived as a long-term investment in the future of education, Bemke is creating a distinctive environment where learning extends far beyond the classroom and where education is deeply connected with community, nature, creativity and personal development.

Established through a partnership between the Bemke Foundation (formerly TDJ Foundation) and the Pallottine Fathers, Bemke College benefits from strong philanthropic support and a clear non-profit mission. Building on the vision and legacy of its founders, the College brings together tradition and innovation to create an inspiring educational environment rooted in Christian values and an entrepreneurial mindset.  The Foundation was established to provide children and young people with access to world-class education in Poland while developing future leaders who recognise their responsibility to serve others. This commitment is reflected in a substantial scholarship programme that will enable talented students from a wide range of backgrounds to benefit from an exceptional education regardless of their financial circumstances.

Bemke College will offer a rigorous British curriculum culminating in A Levels (AQA and Pearson Edexcel), providing students with outstanding preparation for leading universities around the world. Academic excellence will, however, represent only one dimension of the College’s educational vision. Inspired by the wider philosophy of Bemke, the College will seek to educate the whole person, placing equal emphasis on intellectual curiosity, character building based on Christian values, leadership, entrepreneurship, creativity, service and wellbeing. Students will be encouraged to become confident, principled and globally minded young people who are equipped not only to succeed personally, but also to make a meaningful contribution to society.

The wider Campus provides exceptional opportunities to enrich the student experience. Purpose-built educational spaces, MakerSpaces, science and creative studios, extensive sports facilities, natural learning environments and innovative programmes such as FarmLab will encourage interdisciplinary learning, environmental responsibility, innovation and collaboration. The campus has been designed to foster close relationships between education, sustainability, community engagement and the natural world, enabling students to develop practical skills alongside academic achievement.

As a boarding school, Bemke College also aims to create a vibrant and supportive international community where students from Poland and around the world live and learn together. The College aspires to combine the academic rigour and traditions of leading British independent schools with an outward-looking, internationally minded culture that prepares young people for life in an increasingly interconnected world.

The Founding Deputy Head of College will have the rare opportunity to take a leading role in the establishment of a new school from its inception, shaping its vision, culture, educational model and long-term strategic direction. This is a highly visible and hands-on leadership role. The successful candidate will need to be energetic, resilient, emotionally intelligent and comfortable working in a rapidly developing environment, with the initiative to take responsibility beyond traditional role boundaries when required. Above all, they will be a trusted partner to the Founding Head and a visible, approachable presence for students, staff and families, helping to establish a culture of excellence, integrity, curiosity, leadership and care that will define Bemke College as it grows.