Head of Secondary

Description

Star International School Twar is looking to recruit a strong and resilient Head of Secondary to join our school in Dubai for August 2024.
Star International School Al Twar and Al Qusais is a part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP). The International Schools Partnership (ISP) is a growing group of committed colleagues in financially responsible schools around the world, all of which aim to be the school of choice in their local area. Learning is at the heart of everything we do for our pupils, colleagues and parents. We are committed to getting better, all the time.
Purpose of Role
The Head of Secondary is a senior figure in the school and as such should be an exemplary, and visible, role model for staff, students and parents. It is not envisaged that Head of Secondary will have a teaching timetable, but the possibility is not excluded. To contribute to the overall vision and ethos of the school ensuring the best standards possible for pupils and staff.
The successful candidate will need to be positive, enthusiastic and creative in their approach to our school vision; ‘To develop Star members in the local and global community, who are able to lead themselves and others; through their love of independent learning and their compassion for humanity’.
ISP Principles

• Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
• Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.
• Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.
• Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.
• Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

Head of Secondary Key Responsibilities

• directly line manage Heads of Departments and chair meetings.
• to ensure that department curriculum documentation for the Secondary School, is consistent in terms of layout and content is in line with school policy.
• ensure that department curriculum documentation ensures a breadth of knowledge and progression of skills that will cater to all groups of students across the ability spectrum.
• be responsible for the updating of handbooks and job descriptions in the Secondary School
• be responsible for internal and external assessment in the Secondary school and the tracking of student progress.
• oversee the setting up, writing and production of high-quality Secondary School reports to parents according to the timetabled schedule.
• directly monitor standards through work scrutiny’s, department reviews, observations, teacher and student feedback, and individual appraisal of staff
• Oversee the production and maintenance of the Secondary part of the whole school timetable.
• ensure adequate cover supervision is provided for absent colleagues.
• be responsible for, in liaison with Student Enrichment coordinators, a high-quality extra-curricular programme.

Student Support in the Secondary School - The Head of Secondary will:

• work closely with the Assistant Head, Pastoral and may attend meetings
• ensure that a comprehensive PSHE programme is in place that provides for the needs of all students.
• ensure that all students receive appropriate pastoral care.
• be responsible for discipline in the Secondary School, in particular for dealing with serious behavioural issues, suspending students where necessary, or recommending stronger action (expulsion) to the Principal.
• be responsible for the setting up and monitoring of an effective student profiling system
• monitor the support programmes for those with special needs and language difficulties
• be responsible for all health and safety matters in the Secondary School both on and off campus including overseeing school trips according to school policies
• manage regular fire drills and duck-and-cover exercises
• oversee assemblies in the Secondary School, and take at least one assembly per term.
• be responsible for monitoring admissions into the Secondary School
• be responsible for ensuring the highest standards when Secondary students are involved in performances, whether inside or outside school.

Provision and efficient use of educational resources - The Head of Secondary will:

• in cooperation with the Principal, allocate budgets to academic departments and oversee the purchasing and inventory process
• ensure that all departments are adequately resourced to provide high quality curriculum delivery

Teacher support - The Head of Secondary will:

• be responsible for monitoring and raising the quality of teaching and learning in the secondary school.
• be responsible for the running of a rigorous performance management process for Secondary staff that takes account of both personal and school developmental needs.
• oversee a programme of professional development opportunities, in liaison with the CPD Coordinator, both internal and external, which links to school needs and the performance management process.
• be responsible for the induction of new staff.

Links - The Head of Secondary will:

• Develop cross-curricular links in the Secondary School
• liaise on a regular basis with the various school administration departments supporting staff and student well-being.
• liaise with the marketing department in promoting the school.
• ensure that connectivity between The Secondary School and Primary school is developed at every opportunity.
• develop opportunities for connectivity between SIS Mirdif, its sister campus and other similar ISP schools.
• take every opportunity to develop links with the local community.

Communication - The Head of Secondary will:

• Run Secondary School Briefings
• be responsible for the organisation of parent-teacher conferences according to the calendar.
• be responsible, in collaboration with other senior leaders, for the production and updating of a school calendar, which includes meeting schedules and events.
• be responsible for the production of a duty rota for secondary staff.
• be responsible for monitoring staff communication with parents.
• be responsible for the Secondary School content on the website, publications and advertisements.
• Other whole school duties and tasks will be assigned and agreed upon as appropriate.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• A certified teaching qualification, at degree level such as B.Ed., PGCE, PGDE or equivalent.
• An ‘Outstanding’ teacher with at least 5 years of experience working in an International British Curriculum school (A-levels) is essential.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to harness individuals’ potential and ideas bringing them together in one cohesive team.
• Excellent IT and interpersonal communication skills to work closely with students and parents.
• A collaborative team-player with excellent personal skills.
• Classroom and behavior management
• Collaborative team player, inspirational speaker, empathetic listener.
• Integrity and confidentiality.
• Internationally minded.
• Emotional intelligence.
• Intercultural awareness, creative.
• Online and classroom teaching experience.
• Flexible and a can-do attitude

ISP Leadership Competencies
You consistently demonstrate and role-model the ISP Leadership Competencies in all that you do.

• Collaboration. Takes an active part in leading their school or region; is cooperative and a genuine team player, developing positive, supportive relationships with colleagues to solve problems and maximise opportunities.
• Learning & Getting Better. Continually demonstrates personal commitment and passion for learning and getting better using evidence and feedback; supporting others in their continual learning, development and growth.
• Innovation Leadership. Is good at creating an environment where ideas for learning initiatives and services are generated and is able to motivate and inspire others through the process of creation through to completion.
• Outcome driven. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to exceed goals and is focused on KPIs.
• Resilience. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.
• Community Focus. Is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our students and their families.
• Integrity & Ethical Management. Has the ability to work ethically and with integrity; helps others feel valued; upholds and models the ISP Vision, Purpose and Principles.
• Leading & Inspiring Others. Supports, encourages and inspires students, colleagues and teams so that they give their best.
• Understanding People. Is a very good judge of talent, can objectively articulate the strengths and motivations of people inside or outside the organisation.
• Influencing & Communication. Consistently informs, influences and inspires students, parents and colleagues through timely and effective communication.
• Agile. Responds and adapts to changing circumstances; manages and solves problems by providing solutions in a climate of ambiguity.
• Strategic, Commercial & Financial Awareness. Has the ability to apply understanding of the business and industry to improve effectiveness and profitability.
• Planning & Decision Making. Makes decisions on the best course of action and then plans, organises, prioritises and balances resources to achieve the desired outcome.
• Diversity & Equity. Has the sensitivity, awareness and skill to understand the values, behaviours, attitudes and practices across cultures that supports all children and adults to learn and work effectively.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles
ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history