Head of Secondary School

The Kathmandu International Study Centre (KISC) is a co-educational school which is BSO and MSA accredited. It comprises a Primary and Secondary School, as well as a Teacher Training establishment, called EQUIP. There are more than 100 students in each of Primary (ages 4-11) and Secondary (ages 11-18), coming from over 20 countries. It is a school with a Christian ethos, flowing out of its mission, vision and values.

Our mission is to provide excellent education, primarily for the international mission community and Nepali school communities, based on KISC values. Through our schools and the EQUIP programme, students and staff are helping to transform children’s lives, as well as making a positive impact on wider Nepali society.

Job Purpose

As an expanding international school, the Head of Secondary School will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for the secondary school division, ensuring a high standard of education, pastoral care, and student development. This role is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the secondary school, managing staff, and working collaboratively with the senior leadership team to create an environment that promotes academic excellence, personal growth, and well-being for all students.

The key roles and responsibilities of the post include contributing to:

Leadership & Management:

• Lead, motivate, and inspire a team of secondary school teachers and staff to achieve high standards of teaching and learning.
• Develop and implement the vision, mission, and strategic goals for the secondary school in alignment with the overall school objectives.
• Oversee the day-to-day operational management of the secondary school, ensuring that all school policies and procedures are followed.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, setting high expectations for student behavior, academic performance, and personal development.

Curriculum & Academic Leadership:

• Lead the development, review, and implementation of the curriculum, ensuring it is broad, balanced, and meets the needs of all students.
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and learning, providing support and professional development for teaching staff as required.
• Oversee assessment, reporting, and student progress tracking, ensuring that students are supported to reach their full potential.
• Collaborate with other leaders and departments to enhance cross-curricular initiatives and interdisciplinary learning.

Student Welfare & Pastoral Care:

• Ensure that high-quality pastoral care is in place for all students, supporting their personal, social, and emotional development.
• Promote a positive school culture, fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for students and staff.
• Work closely with the pastoral team to monitor and address student behavior, attendance, and well-being, ensuring early intervention when necessary.
• Lead initiatives that support student engagement, leadership opportunities, and co-curricular activities.

Staff Development & Performance Management:

• Lead recruitment, training, and professional development initiatives for secondary school staff.
• Conduct regular performance reviews for teaching staff, providing constructive feedback and setting clear targets for improvement.
• Promote a culture of collaboration and professional learning, encouraging the sharing of best practices within the department.

Parent & Community Engagement:

• Build strong, positive relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining effective communication about student progress, school policies, and upcoming events.
• Organise and lead parent-teacher meetings, school events, and information sessions as required.
• Represent the school in external forums, fostering relationships with local organisations, secondary education networks, and other stakeholders.

Strategic Planning & Reporting:

• Contribute to the development of the school’s strategic plans, setting goals and objectives for the secondary school division.
• Monitor progress towards goals and provide regular reports to the Leadership Team, School Director and Board of Governors.
• Manage the budget for the secondary school, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to meet educational priorities.

Key Skills and Qualifications:

Qualifications:

• A relevant degree, preferably in education or a related field.
• A recognized teaching qualification (e.g., PGCE, QTS) is essential, an M.Ed woud be ideal
• Leadership or management qualifications are desirable (e.g., NPQSL, MBA).

Experience:

• Significant experience in teaching and leadership roles within a secondary school setting.
• Proven experience in curriculum design and academic leadership.
• Experience managing staff and leading teams to achieve shared goals.
• Strong understanding of student welfare, pastoral care, and safeguarding practices.

Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire students, staff, and parents.
• Strong leadership, organisational, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure, managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Sound knowledge of current educational policies, trends, and best practices.

-Personal Attributes:

• Passionate about education and student success.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Adaptable, with the ability to thrive in a dynamic and changing environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Additional Information:

• The Head of Secondary will be expected to contribute to the wider life of the school, including attending school events, open days, and other extracurricular activities.
• Some evening and weekend work may be required, especially for parent meetings, school events, and student activities.

As well as working in a high achieving and thriving school, working at KISC offers the following opportunities:

• raising educational standards in Nepal, and helping to have a transformational impact on wider Nepali society
• the challenge of working with a range of nationalities
• education that inspires and empowers students to grow and flourish
• contributing to our vision and values - love, grace, community, justice and excellence
• the world's premier destination for trekking and hiking. While the Everest and Annapurna regions are the most popular trekking areas, the Langtang and Kanchenjunga regions are also great for trekking
• enjoying the rich heritage and culture of a country that boasts 10 UNESCO world heritage sites
• experiencing Nepal's national parks, home to a variety of rare species including the Bengal Tiger, the one horned Rhino and Gharial Crocodiles.

When submitting your application, it is advisable to explain why you want to work at KISC.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter/supporting statement, and a list of references as per the TES form.

Finally, this job description is designed to outline the main duties and responsibilities of the Head of Secondary role and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. The responsibilities of the position may evolve over time in response to the needs of the school.