Head of School

ACS International Schools is looking to appoint a new Head of School for our dedicated International School in Cobham. This is a pivotal and high-profile leadership role at ACS, and the ideal candidate will have the desire and ambition to match our aspirations.

ACS Cobham is a leading International day and boarding school for students aged 2 to 18. With world class teaching and facilities, we enable our students to discover their true potential, stand out and achieve excellence. Our Campus is set in 128 acres of Surrey countryside with two Boarding Houses on site. Our outdoor campus provides the opportunity for learning beyond the classroom.

The Cobham Campus is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to nurture the minds and talents of our students. From cutting-edge science labs, inspiring art studios and state-of-the-art sports centre, our commitment to excellence extends across every corner of our campus.

Role and Responsibilities:

The Head of School will promote ACS vision and values and put our educational philosophy into practice through day-to-day interactions with the Cobham school community, ensuring the delivery of an impactful, enriched, child-centered programme.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, the new Head of School must have the inspirational leadership skills and flair for innovation required to build creatively on this legacy of successful growth and achievement, and so move the school to the next level.

Key to success is the following:

• Promoting the ACS vision and values, philosophy and ethos through day-to- day interactions with the whole ACS community of staff, students and parents.
• As a key member of the ACS Leadership Team, being a strong strategic, inspirational and collaborative leader, delivering the School and ACS Education, Partnership, People and Growth strategies.
• Having international experience at this senior level including substantial experience in strong IB schools and knowledge/experience of national and international programmes and educational standards.
• Being passionate about holistic student education, and about the professional development of all ACS Cobham staff.
• Having a strategic understanding of enrolment strategies including growth and financial management.
• Supporting teaching excellence through professional effectiveness systems, to deliver improved student learning outcomes.
• Experience of leading a school with boarding facilities is strongly desired.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced school leader, who demonstrates a track record of successful school leadership and management, preferably within a Boarding environment, in an international context, including experience of the following specific areas:

• Achieving high educational standards, as assessed by international and local regulators and inspection organisations.
• Commitment to the AP and IB programmes and understanding of their successful implementation, including continuity and transitions between programmes.
• Managing innovative change, to ensure continuous school improvement.
• Motivating staff to give their best, recognising them when things go well and coaching as necessary for performance improvement, to build morale and personal esteem.
• All aspects of school financial management, including management of budgets.
• Managing enrolment.
• Promoting international-mindedness in staff and students.
• Managing parent and alumni fundraising and engagement programmes.

Please click here for our full ACS Head of School job brief:

https://acsschool.turtl.co/story/acs-cobham-hos-2024-job-announcement/page/1  

Suitably qualified candidates should send their application including all items below to:

Charlotte Collins, Recruitment Business Partner: ccollins@acs-schools.com 

• Letter of application (no more than one page), briefly outlining why the candidate wishes to apply for this position and what specific skills, qualities and experience they can offer
• CV/résumé (no more than two pages)
• Short statement of educational and leadership philosophy (no more than one page)
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It is expected that interviews will take place during October and November 2024. However, ACS reserves the right to invite selected candidates to interviews in advance of this schedule.

Final Application closing date: Friday October 11th

ACS International Schools are keen to attract suitably qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, particularly candidates whose gender, race, nationality or identity is currently under-represented in international school leadership.

ACS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and as an employee of ACS you are expected to share this commitment. The protection of our students’ welfare is the responsibility of all staff within ACS International Schools and individuals are expected to conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of our organisation.