School Librarian

The London Oratory School invites you to apply for the full time, permanent post of School Librarian from September 2026. Trad, but quirky, The London Oratory is amongst the city’s most prestigious Catholic schools. We educate boys from 7 to 18, with girls in the Sixth form, in a broad, liberal arts curriculum – but that’s not all, so do please visit our website for a fuller flavour.

Our invitation:

We are seeking an exceptional librarian to lead the intellectual and cultural heart of the school. This is a role is ideal for someone who wishes to shape pupils’ learning habits, independent study, and love of reading. This position is fixed term in the first instance as we are in a temporary space and will transition to a permanent library space.

As Librarian, you will provide visible, knowledgeable, and inspiring stewardship of St Philip’s Library, ensuring it remains a vibrant, well‑curated, and academically purposeful space. You will oversee the development of library resources, supervise Sixth Form private study, and champion pupils’ independent learning, digital literacy, and research skills.

You will work closely with academic departments, supporting teachers in enriching their curricula and ensuring pupils have access to high‑quality resources. You will also lead on shaping the Library and ensuring it remains a modern, accessible educational environment.

You will cultivate a culture of scholarship, curiosity, and disciplined learning guiding pupils in their reading choices, supporting their research, and modelling the habits of an independent learner. You will also play a key role in maintaining a calm, purposeful atmosphere for Sixth Form study, working in partnership with colleagues to promote positive learning behaviours.

Your gifts:

We are looking for someone with a passion for reading and learning, and the confidence to lead a central whole‑school resource. You will bring organisation, initiative, and intellectual presence, with the ability to train, guide, and inspire both pupils and staff. Experience with digital learning tools and library management systems or the ability to become up to speed with these is essential, alongside the judgement and initiative to develop the Library. The postholder will help shape the learning culture of the school, influencing pupils’ academic development across departments.

This is a rare opportunity to help us re-build our library we move from a temporary shape to a fully refurbished library space.

Our School:

In addition to first class facilities which all staff are encouraged to use (including free lunch, Friday cake, on-site parking, and a state of the art gym and swimming pool). The post comes with a highly competitive salary package and supportive team. In addition, here are five reasons as to why you should consider working with us:

1. Our vision: A compelling vision of what a distinctively Catholic education should look like, open to the world and fitting pupils to move through it with panache and confidence;

2. Our pupils: Well-disciplined, switched on, cosmopolitan – and quirky – supported in their growth by skilled staff and a tightly structured pastoral system;

3. Our staff: An intellectually lively and collegial Common Room culture, that supports you in your growth throughout your career;

4. Our priority: A highly supportive and collegial atmosphere at all levels that values and recognises the great work that teachers do, and the challenges and sacrifices they make to do it. In addition to daily freshly brewed coffee, we also offer full access to staff medical and counselling services, should these be required;

5. Your future: An innovative staff development programme that looks to support you in growing in your vocation, in a school that is keen to think through the implications of cutting edge pedagogical research and development, within a rich philosophical and spiritual heritage.

The School enjoys a highly competitive salary scale to recognise and reward the very committed body of staff that make up its Common Room.

Your next steps:

Interested candidates should complete an online application form. Applications will be considered as they are submitted, and they School reserves the right to interview suitable applicants before the deadline. We consider application forms a legal document, and so information submitted should be truthful and accurate.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an equal opportunities employer.