Vice Principal, Teaching & Learning (Starting Aug 2025) – South Island School

The Vice Principal (Teaching and Learning) is a key leadership role at South Island School (SIS) and an important stakeholder within the English Schools Foundation (ESF). The post-holder is specifically responsible for driving and overseeing the pedagogical vision, leadership, management and development of teaching and learning at SIS, and for ensuring that all stakeholders work coherently with the ESF Vision and SIS Philosophy and Mission. As the title implies, the post-holder also regularly deputises for the Principal, and is hence expected to hold an overview of all areas of school life, with a responsibility to intervene if necessary in any area.

The position will be a full-time renewable contract for an initial two-year period from August 2025. Support with obtaining Hong Kong residence will be provided if necessary.

Responsibilities

The post-holder takes a leading role in the development of procedures and systems for teaching and learning at SIS and is specifically responsible for designated aspects of the SIS Strategic Development Plan. This includes overseeing development and action planning for Teaching and Learning in liaison with the Heads of Faculty, ensuring that each faculty’s developmental direction is well aligned with the SIS Strategic Development Plan.

The post-holder chairs the Academic Standards Team (AST) and personally line-manages a group of Heads of Faculty, in liaison with other members of the Leadership Team (LT). In liaison with the Heads of Phase, the post-holder has whole school academic curriculum oversight, along the continuum of planning, resourcing, delivering, assessing and evaluating.

In summary, the post-holder has oversight of all matters relating to Teaching and Learning and is prepared and ready to lead any other area of school life as may be required.

Strategic Direction:

• Ensure that the vision for teaching and learning at SIS is in alignment with the ESF Vision, and the SIS Philosophy and Mission, and is coherently implemented
• Lead on designated aspects of the SIS Strategic Development Plan, in liaison with the LT, Principal, School Council, and appropriate colleagues within ESF
• Work with the AST to ensure that Development and Action Planning for teaching and learning sits coherently with the SIS Strategic Development Plan
• Coordinate the programme of innovative pedagogical initiatives including the integration of new educational technology relating to teaching and learning at SIS

Academic Curriculum Planning & Resourcing:

• Oversee the coherence and continuity of our curriculum offering and learning models, working closely with the Heads of Phase to ensure appropriate progression between the IBMYP, IGCSE and IBDP/IBCP frameworks and curriculum models;
• Oversee the process for planning and mapping the curriculum at SIS, working with the AST to ensure an appropriate written articulation is accessible for each set of stakeholders;
• Work with the AST to ensure that Schemes of Learning effectively capture not only appropriate content, but also agreed values, skills and concepts for learning;
• Define the whole school framework for curriculum options, working with the Vice Principal (Values in Action & Learning Systems) and Heads of Phase to ensure effective implementation of curriculum options
• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure appropriately adjusted individual curricula to support the development of personalised pathways as required

Academic Curriculum Delivering:

• Work with the AST to ensure that the delivered curriculum appropriately matches the planned curriculum, implementing quality assurance processes where necessary
• Coordinate the programme of innovative pedagogical initiatives relating to teaching and learning at SIS, ensuring ongoing quality enhancement

Academic Curriculum Assessing & Evaluating:

• Articulate the SIS philosophy and procedures for formative and summative assessment, and work with Heads of Phase and Faculty Leaders to ensure these are effectively implemented
• Oversee the administration of the Assessment, Recording and Reporting (ARR) system, in close liaison with Heads of Phase, the AST, and the Vice Principal (Values in Action & Learning Systems), reviewing and adapting procedures as appropriate;
• Oversee the annual Assessment, Recording and Reporting (ARR) calendar, in close liaison with Heads of Phase and AST
• Manage specific events within the ARR Calendar, as agreed with LT

Collaboration & Line Management:

• Collaborate closely with the LT regarding any area of school life
• Collaborate closely with the Heads of Phase regarding all aspects of their role relating to the academic curriculum
• Line-manage nominated Heads of Faculty, in liaison with other LT colleagues with similar responsibilities

Staff Development:

• Coordinate the annual CPD and Meetings Calendar
• Oversee the allocation of external CPD opportunities, in close liaison with LT and line managers
• Oversee the annual PRD process, ensuring all line managers and members of staff understand their responsibilities

Other Duties:

The Vice Principal (Teaching and Learning) is responsible for any other duties which the Principal, School Council or ESFC colleagues may reasonably expect to be carried out, and will regularly be asked to deputise for the Principal and other senior colleagues.

Requirements

• Bachelor Degree in Education, or
• Bachelor Degree in any subjects with PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate of Education), or equivalent
• Recent senior management with VP experience desirable
• 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.

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.