Fury as job advert for headteacher role at private school says 'Karens need not apply'

Parents have been left furious at an advert for a headteacher at a male-dominated prep school effectively tells applicants: "Karens need not apply".

The £15,000-a-year King's Hawford School in Worcester bizarrely states that prospective candidates must not be "pompous or arrogant".

The award-winning 220-pupil school launched the oddly-word job ad after current headteacher Jennie Phillips suddenly quit.

Mrs Phillips was the first woman to be headteacher in the prestigious prep-school's 500-year history when she was appointed last year.

Last month she announced she was leaving at the end of term, leaving staff and parents shocked.

An advert for the role of headteacher at King's Hawford published on the beBee website states: "We want a leader who will be kind to the community, who isn't pompous or arrogant, and who loves the company of people."

The ad has been criticised by some parents who say the language used "effectively says 'Karens need not apply'" (SWNS)

The ad has been criticised by some parents who say the language used "effectively says 'Karens need not apply'".

One mum said: "I just think it goes without saying that a headteacher of any school should not be pompous or arrogant.

"Why on earth say that in a job ad? It's patronising and in my and many other parents' view effectively says Karens need not apply."

Another parent, who did not want to be named, added: "It was a real shock when Mrs Phillips announced she was leaving and no reason was given.

"I was confused by the wording of the advert, was the school trying to have a dig at the previous leadership?

"It was an odd thing to state the

school was not after in a new headteacher.

"I struggle to think of any job where being pompous or arrogant was considered a plus."

The award-winning school is part of a foundation of three schools - King's St Alban's, King's Hawford and King's Worcester which dates back to 1541.

The award-winning school is part of a foundation of three schools - King's St Alban's, King's Hawford and King's Worcester which dates back to 1541 (Worcester News / SWNS)

Last April King's Worcester was blasted for launching a "woke club" aimed at stamping out "male toxic behaviour".

The school was also investigated over claims teachers forced girls to kneel to measure their skirts.

The school declined to comment on the wording of the Kings Hawford job advert.