Head of History, TLR 4 (Starting Aug 2025) – South Island School

South Island School seeks to appoint an outstanding Head of History to start in August 2025. Your role will be to lead and run the History Department at SIS, in close collaboration with the Individuals and Societies faculty as a whole.

As the lead Teacher of History, you will be a member of the Academic Leadership Team (ALT), a role which involves ensuring that the History Department is at the forefront of new initiatives at SIS, and is represented appropriately in collaborative academic decisions. You will report to the Head of Individuals and Societies.

The successful applicant will be a highly skilled teacher, with the ability to motivate, inspire and engage with students in creative and innovative ways, both within and outside the classroom. You will be a skilled manager and leader, as you work with the faculty towards our overall goal of ensuring excellent educational outcomes for all of our students. Previous experience of IB MYP, IGCSE and IB Diploma would be helpful, though this is not essential for an applicant with the right overall skill set. Like all staff, you will additionally be a tutor within our Pastoral Learning Curriculum (PLC), and will be expected to contribute effectively to our Making a Difference, Values in Action and Expanding Horizons extra-curricular programmes.

The position will be a full-time renewable contract for an initial two-year period from August 2025. The post comes with a TLR 4 allowance (as per the ESF Terms and Conditions). Support with obtaining Hong Kong residence will be provided if necessary. 

Responsibilities

The Head of History at SIS is expected to be committed and flexible. Regular duties include:

• Leading the History Department strategically, to develop and sustain high standards and a culture of collaboration and learning
• Managing colleagues who teach History, to facilitate high achievement and efficiency across all facets of the department
• Representing the department within the Academic Leadership Team (ALT), attending meetings and leading whole school initiatives as required
• Overseeing the planning, development and evaluation of History schemes of learning for all courses to maximise positive outcomes
• Maintaining a learning climate that is inclusive and safe, yet challenging and innovative, ensuring appropriate differentiation to meet the needs of students with all learning profiles
• Leading and managing the development of learning and teaching strategies within the department, ensuring staff develop innovative and effective pedagogical expertise, and facilitating appropriate development opportunities for colleagues as necessary
• Ensuring that resources are managed effectively within the department, in compliance with school-wide and foundation-wide requirements relating to budgets, procurement processes and facilities management
• Ensuring appropriate assessment practices across the History department, to support student progress and attainment
• Ensuring regular celebration of achievements within the department, in liaison with the communications team
• Working as a tutor for a group of students, within the Pastoral Learning Curriculum
• Engaging actively with the Making a Difference, Values in Action and Expanding Horizons extra-curricular programmes, ensuring that History-related activities are represented appropriately within these curricula

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, or
• Bachelor’s Degree in any subject and a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate of Education) or equivalent
• A strong commitment to taking an inclusive approach to meet the needs of all students
• The ability to lead and inspire others and to manage a team effectively, showing excellent leadership, management and administrative skills
• The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with teachers and other relevant professionals, parents and students;
• An understanding of current developments in teaching
• Experience of a range of assessment strategies for identifying students’ needs and supporting learning
• A commitment to pastoral care within the school
• A commitment to developing students’ skills through extra-curricular opportunities

Teaching in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a premier destination for expatriate and local teachers! ESF Teachers enjoy an extremely lucrative salary package and a very high standard of living overall, in an exciting and vibrant world city. The teaching profession is highly respected, student motivation and outcomes are excellent, and all teachers receive considerable support from ESF and SIS with settling into Hong Kong, as well as with their professional development. Please feel free to contact us in advance about life in Hong Kong if you feel a conversation on this topic would be helpful.

Further Information

Further information can be found in the following locations:

• South Island School website: https://www.sis.edu.hk
• English Schools Foundation website: https://www.esf.edu.hk/
• Closing Date: By 8am Hong Kong Time on Monday, 4th November 2024

Please email the Principal’s PA, Ms Zin Mogg, if you have any questions: zmogg@sis.edu.hk

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and offers may be extended prior to the job closing date.

By applying for this position, your application may be considered for other opportunities (senior-level roles, head of department, etc.) within ESF.

ESF is an Equal Opportunities Employer

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is fully committed to providing equal employment opportunities. ESF will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, colour, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, religion, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, creed, citizenship or any other status protected by local laws or regulations.

Personal data provided by job applicants will be used strictly in accordance with the ESF's Personal Data Policy, a copy of which will be provided upon request.

Aligned with the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection, we hold ourselves to a high standard of effective recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection.

About Us

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is the largest English-medium international school organisation in Hong Kong. Our 22 schools and comprehensive programme of extra-curricular activities bring out the best in every student through a personalised approach to learning and by inspiring curious minds.

There are over 18,000 students from 75 different nationalities in ESF kindergartens, primary, secondary and all-through schools. 

www.esf.edu.hk

About the Team

South Island School is a dynamic, innovative and forward-looking school located in a green setting on the south side of Hong Kong Island. It caters for 1,440 students from around 40 different nations. http://www.sis.edu.hk