Senior School Assistant Head - Academic

Senior School Assistant Head - Academic

Description:

Are you ready to lead and inspire? The Senior School Assistant Head - Academic is a pivotal leadership role that drives the strategic vision and operational success of our academic section. As a key member of the management team, you will foster a dynamic, creative, and collaborative working environment that embodies the core values and ethos of San Silvestre School.

Whether you are an experienced senior leader or stepping into senior leadership for the first time, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape the academic future of San Silvestre. You will play an integral part in creating innovative learning experiences and nurturing both staff and students towards excellence.

If you are passionate about education, committed to empowering others, and eager to contribute to a vibrant school community, we want to hear from you.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Relationships:

• Ensure all parent or staff concerns or complaints are responded to appropriately and effectively within a short timeframe keeping appropriate records and referring any serious or ongoing parent or staff concerns to the Head of Section. 
• Ensure that parents are informed of relevant issues through appropriate channels.

Curriculum (Including Teaching and Learning):

• Participate in decision-making and policy development across the section.
• Oversight of the development and implementation of best practice classroom teaching and learning. 
• Oversight of planning and curriculum coherence and the implementation of learning programmes that are collaboratively planned with the Heads of Departments ensuring the curriculum is documented and updated as appropriate. 
• In collaboration with the Heads of Department and the Teaching & Learning Coordinator monitor the teaching and learning across the section and provide feedback to teachers, coordinators, and SLT. 
• In collaboration with the Senior Leaders, Heads of Departments, Secondary Data Coordinator and Learning Support Coordinator monitor the progress of students across the section. 
• In collaboration with Heads of Department select and requisition instructional and curriculum development materials and resources.

Professional Development:

• Foster a culture of continuous learning among staff through collaboration, sharing of resources, and reflective practices.
• With the Teaching & Learning coordinator identify professional development needs and design, participate in, and promote professional development within the Secondary Section. This includes INSET days and weekly Friday CPD sessions to keep secondary teachers up-to-date with the latest developments in teaching and learning.

Administration:

• Line manage allocated Heads of Department and Coordinators and carry out the school's Performance Development (appraisal) process. 
• Oversee the Head of Department team and lead the fortnightly meetings. 
• Actively participate in the section recruitment process in collaboration with the Section Head and Assistant Head – Student Care, including the induction and mentoring of new staff. 
• Oversight of the academic administration needs of the section (registration, bulletin, staff websites, calendar, lead meetings, iSAMS, review school documents, etc.) Participation in the development of all section calendars, timetables, and general rosters.

Strategic Vision:

• Development and continuous evaluation of the school's strategic planning, section objectives, and departmental action plans. 
• Collaborating and communicating effectively with the SLT, Teaching & Learning Coordinator, Data Coordinator, and Heads of Departments on all aspects related to teaching, learning, assessment, and reporting.
• Collaborating and communicating effectively with the Learning Support Coordinator, and associated professionals.
• Ensuring a thorough understanding of the policies and procedures pertaining to teaching, learning, assessment, and reporting.
• Assume the leadership role in collaboration with the Assistant Head – Student Care in the absence of the Head of Section.

Knowledge and Competencies Required

Qualifications / Experience: 

• Bachelor's Degree plus Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
• Secondary School teaching experience.
• Ability to speak and teach in fluent English (first language English speaker preferred)
• Proven leadership experience within a Secondary School setting.
• Strong technological skills including knowledge of Google Suite tools.
• Understanding of innovative educational practices that facilitate effective teaching and learning. 
• Detailed knowledge of curriculum development. 
• An understanding of all forms of assessment and how they inform learning
• A strong understanding of Secondary School assessment and tracking, including knowledge of standardised assessments (GL Assessments: CAT4, PASS, PTM, PTE, and NGRT) and an ability to interpret results and plan actions based on the data generated.

Desirable:

• Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
• Experience with iSAMs and the Atlas Planning platform.
• A recognised Middle/Senior Leadership qualification, such as the NPQML/NPQH.
• Experience in the appraisal of staff (e.g. learning walks, classroom observation, individual self-reflection meetings, and providing kind and constructive written/oral feedback).
• Experience in facilitating Continuing Professional Development.
• Ability to speak Spanish; basic oral and written desirable; a willingness to learn is imperative.
• Experience in the use of tools to monitor learning and progress.

This description is a guide only and is not intended to be an exhaustive or exclusive list of the duties attached to this position. The duties and responsibilities of this post may vary from time to time according to the changing demands of the school. This job description may be reviewed at the reasonable discretion of the Head of School in light of those changing requirements and in consultation with the post holder. In any event, the Head of School reserves the right to review and amend the job description. 

To apply for this position, please submit your application including a letter of application (in English) using the TES Platform (use the supporting statement section or upload as a supporting document). In your letter of application please outline why you would be interested in working at San Silvestre and explain your suitability for this role.

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis, so please apply at your earliest convenience. We will review applications as they are received and will make an appointment at any point during the recruitment cycle.

San Silvestre School is totally committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to enhanced pre-employment clearance including identity checks, criminal background checks, qualification checks, and employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment.

Three professional references will be sought, at least ONE of which must be from your present employer.