Head of Science, TLR1 (Starting Aug 2025) - West Island School
West Island School - ESF
Hong Kong
- Expiring soon
- Job type:
- Full Time, Fixed Term
- Start date:
- August 2025
- Apply by:
- 6 November 2024
Job overview
West Island School is a premier international school in Hong Kong, dedicated to providing a high-quality education that fosters inquiry, collaboration, and personal growth. With a diverse team of about 160 full-time staff representing over 16 nationalities, our community is proactive, passionate, and supportive, making it an exciting place to live and work.
West Island School is currently seeking to appoint a Head of Science to lead the science faculty to start in August 2025 on a full-time, 2-year renewable contract by mutual agreement. This position comes with a point 1 of the Teaching and Learning Responsibility Award (TLR).
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Science Department, fostering a collaborative environment among 14 teachers across various science disciplines
- Develop and implement a strategic vision for the Science curriculum, ensuring alignment with school goals and student needs.
- Oversee the planning and delivery of engaging, inquiry-based science lessons across all year groups (Years 7-13), including iGCSE, IBMYP and IBDP programs
- Monitor and evaluate student progress, implementing strategies to enhance learning outcomes and support diverse learners.
- Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for teaching faculty, promoting best practices in pedagogy and curriculum development
- Collaborate with other departments to integrate science with interdisciplinary learning experiences
- Manage departmental resources, including budget allocation and maintenance of science laboratories and equipment
Contribution To School Community:
- Act as a role model for students and staff, demonstrating a commitment to the holistic development of young people through pastoral care and mentorship
- Lead and encourage participation in extra-curricular science-related activities and initiatives, fostering a love for science beyond the classroom
- Engage with parents and the wider community to promote the importance of science education and student achievements
Pastoral Care:
- Serve as a tutor for a group of approximately 15 students, supporting their holistic development through pastoral work
Extra-Curricular Contributions:
- Actively participate in extra-curricular events and activities, either through personal interests or in support of student-led initiatives
At West Island School, we prioritize professional development and are committed to fostering a community of teachers who learn from each other. As part of ESF, you will benefit from an extensive CPD program that draws from the world’s best researchers and trainers, offering opportunities to upskill and grow within the organization.
Requirements
Educational Requirements & Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a relevant subject, with a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate of Education) or equivalent
- Proven experience in teaching science across the full age and ability range up to and including Year 13 in one or more of the Science disciplines
- Previous leadership experience in a school setting, demonstrating the ability to inspire and manage a team effectively
Professional Skills & Abilities:
- Strong leadership qualities with the ability to motivate and develop staff
- Commitment to inclusion and fostering a supportive learning environment
- Proven experience leading or contributing to extra-curricular programs
- Ability to work collaboratively in developing curriculum and pedagogy
Benefits
In return for your passion and dedication to delivering quality education, we offer:
- A highly competitive salary
- Gratuity and Cash allowance
- Subsidized school places for your children
- Security and opportunities provided by being part of the English Schools Foundation
For more information, please refer to the ESF Terms and Conditions.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Rathi NandaKumar- rathi.nandakumar@wis.edu.hk
Learn More About Us
To get a deeper insight into teaching at West Island School and our vibrant community, watch our introductory video: Teaching at West Island School
For more information about our school, including our values, programs, and community, please visit the following links: West Island School at a glance
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and offers may be extended prior to the job closing date. We strongly recommend early applications as we reserve the right to appoint candidates earlier than the 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 opportunity. 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.
About the Team
West Island School is a world class co-educational IB World School with a leading reputation in Hong Kong. Our school motto “Strength from Diversity” reflects that the school caters for students from over 40 nationalities. The school has a strong focus on developing responsible global citizenship teaching through the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Courage, compassion and service beyond the classroom define our students. We have a reputation for academic excellence and the vast majority of students graduate to a range of leading worldwide universities after completing the IBDP or IBCP programme. In 2020, our average score for the IB Diploma was 37, and 29% of students achieved 40 points or more.
About West Island School - ESF
Strength from Diversity: A Better School, A Better World
Welcome from Hong Kong and from an outstanding International school comprising over 50 nationalities in the heart of Asia.
We are a happy, dynamic and hugely successful school established in the best traditions of the English Schools Foundation. The ESF exists to provide excellence in learning for Hong Kong based students of all abilities, nationalities, cultures and beliefs who would like to be educated through the medium of English.
Our school is housed in an exciting and innovative environment from which we can see the University, Hong Kong’s largest teaching hospital, the new cyber port and the busy shipping lanes which demonstrate Hong Kong’s key position on the global superhighway.
We have an outstanding record of high academic attainment through a careful crafting of curriculum to meet our students’ needs. We believe in using best practice from around the world, recruiting excellent practitioners from a variety of countries and using their knowledge and expertise. Our curriculum is taken loosely from the National Curriculum of the United Kingdom in our lower years, IGCSEs form our middle years academic programme and we offer three ESF diplomas to our upper school students with the option to pursue the International Baccalaureate or the Advanced or Intermediate Diplomas especially created for our student cohort.
Throughout the school we practice the belief that learning takes place within and without classroom walls. We believe in experiential learning, the value of creativity, action and service which are core to student experience throughout the school and the power of student leadership, choice and decision making through the empowerment of our “student voice”.
West Island School’s distinction lies in the pursuit of high achievement and attainment in learning through support, encouragement, praise and motivation. We believe that excellence in academic and co curricular learning experiences are of equal importance to provide a basis for a dynamic and enriching life. Central to our philosophy is that our school and those within it can influence the world of today and tomorrow. The quality of the relationships between staff and students and within the student body is excellent and draws upon a wide diversity of nationalities, cultures and beliefs which we believe enriches and strengthens our school. Above all else West Island school is a happy school where people are valued and where all individuals who are part of our community can fulfil their potential as learners: whether student, parent, teacher or para professional.
These claims were validated by the Hong Kong Education Department which after inspection categorized our school as an “Outstanding School”. We are the only international school in Hong Kong to have received this prestigious award.
The English Schools Foundation (ESF) was established in 1967 and is the largest education foundation in Asia offering a liberal education through the medium of the English language to children of school age. ESF now operates five secondary schools, nine primary schools, two “all-through” Private Independent Schools, five kindergartens and a school for students with special needs. Our 18,000 students are drawn from over 75 nationalities. Increasingly, our schools are also the destination of choice for local families.
Click here to learn more about ESF: Videos - ESF Communications
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