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Head of Secondary

About Us

Virginia International Private School (VIPS) is a well-respected, K-12 school with over 1175 students, meeting the needs of the local Emirati and expat community. VIPS is on a very exciting journey as it goes from strength to strength in its commitment to quality education and its continued improvement, with a main focus on students’ outcomes. We cater to our students via high quality teaching and learning, ensuring that the day-to-day interactions which take place in and out of the classroom, and the pedagogical approaches used engage, motivate and challenge learners effectively. This year, we opened our brand new, state-of-the-art building for secondary girls and we will proudly graduate our first cohort, the Class of 2022, at the end of this academic year. In October 2021, VIPS underwent its Irtiqa’a inspection and was evaluated to be a good school. VIPS is proudly accredited by New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), attesting to our school’s high quality and integrity. Our staff are empowered to fulfill their roles successfully as well as supported via personalized professional development. VIPS enjoys the benefits of dynamic, experienced leadership and management, a holistic learning community, dedicated teachers, and supportive governance.

Senior Leader: Head of Secondary (Grades 6-12)

 

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. As a result, the school expects all teaching staff, non‐teaching staff and volunteers to share and uphold this commitment.

About the role:

This position provides an exciting career opportunity for an experienced Middle or Senior Leader in an established, successful and reputable school.

The post-holder will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team, whose main area of responsibility will be the Leadership and Management of the Secondary phases of the school (Middle and High School), working closely alongside and line managed by the Vice Principal.

Job Description – Senior Leader: Head of Secondary (Grades 6-12)

The post-holder will be required to exercise their professional skills and judgment to carry out the professional duties set out in the two main areas outlined below:

1: Learning and Teaching

  • Ensure high-quality education, attainment, and progress for all Secondary students (Grades 6- 12).
  • Encourage students’ motivation and enthusiasm, securing positive attitudes to learning and high standards of behavior in the Secondary sections (Middle and High School).
  • Track, monitor, evaluate and review student progress, achievement and attainment across the Secondary School and ensure appropriate action plans are in place where intervention is required.
  • Monitor, evaluate and review the quality of learning and teaching in the Secondary sections in accordance with school and ADEK policies.
  • Support curriculum leaders in the development and implementation of curricular and cross-curricular initiatives and innovative practices.
  • Support teachers, support staff, and the SEN Department to sustain and promote an inclusive learning environment.
  • Support the pastoral care of students in the Secondary section.
  • Lead assemblies for Secondary students.
  • Liaise closely with other senior leaders to ensure continuity and progression across the phases.
  • Leading, developing, and enhancing the teaching practice of others.
  • Be accountable for the work of teachers and support staff in the Secondary sections and those assigned to the phase.
  • Monitor, evaluate and review the quality of learning and teaching in the Secondary classes and share judgments with staff, as appropriate.
  • Develop and improve staff subject knowledge and pedagogy.
  • Ensure the promotion of methods that enable all students to learn effectively.
  • Identify key professional development needs and ensure that these needs are addressed through the provision of high-quality coaching and mentoring.
  • Contribute to continuing professional development (CPD) activities with particular reference to raising standards in the Secondary section.
  • Disseminate examples of ‘best practice’ in learning and teaching, effective planning, and provision across the Secondary sections.

 

2: Leadership and Accountability

  • Actively support the aims and ethos of the school as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
  • Support and deputize for both the Principal and Vice-Principal where and when appropriate.
  • To be among the 20 highest performing countries in PISA (Program for International Student Assessment).
  • To be among the 15 highest performing countries in TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study)
  • To achieve “better or very good” in most performance standards of the UAE School Inspection Framework internally and externally (via ADEK inspection).
  • Set high professional standards for all staff in Secondary sections by promoting a challenge and support culture.
  • Establish good relationships, encourage good working practices and support mechanisms.
  • Oversee aspects of the phase organization and management, including leading weekly curriculum team meetings.
  • Act as a Performance Management Team leader in accordance with the school’s policies and procedures.
  • Develop links and liaise, as required, with the school board and the wider school community.
  • Coordinate strategies to achieve identified School Development Plan priorities, evaluate and report on their effectiveness and make suggestions for further improvements.
  • Take part in and respond to issues regarding self-evaluation including making contributions to the development of the SEF.
  • Lead the professional development of other staff.
  • Take responsibility for the induction of new staff in the phase.
  • Be accountable for a curriculum budget directly linked to the subject/area in line with relevant targets and with school policy.
  • Build leadership capacity in the Secondary phase of the school.

 

Person Specification – Senior Leader: Head of Secondary (Grades 6-12)

Applicants should be able to demonstrate excellent knowledge and understanding of the following 4 areas related to this post:

1: Professional Knowledge and Understanding

  • Have an excellent understanding of leadership philosophy and practice.
  • Possess excellent knowledge, skills, and understanding of curriculum and pedagogical issues, particularly those related to the Secondary curriculum.
  • Thorough working knowledge of assessment and the reviewing of students’ progress and development.
  • The use of creative and effective learning and teaching styles to engage, motivate and enable students to progress.
  • Thorough knowledge of students’ Personal and Social development and appropriate behavior management strategies.
  • Effective strategies to include and meet the needs of all pupils within Secondary sections, including under-achieving groups, EAL, SEN, Emirati Students, and G&T pupils.
  • How to analyze, understand, interpret and respond to school performance data.
  • Encouraging parents to work cooperatively with the school and involve them in their children’s education.

 

2: Professional Skills and Experience

Applicants should be able to demonstrate recent and relevant experience of:

  • Excellent classroom practice in a Secondary School with substantial experience in the Middle School phase (Grades 6-9) and/or the High School Phase (Grades 10-12).
  • Observing and evaluating teaching and giving lesson feedback to a teacher.
  • Monitoring and evaluation of learning and teaching leading to effective planning to raise standards.
  • Digital learning and the use of ICT across the curriculum.
  • Continuous professional development.
  • Effective involvement and engagement with parents.
  • Relevant qualifications
  • Language learning, in particular for students whose English is a second language.
  • Issues and practices in International schools.

3: Leadership and Management Skills

Applicants should be able to demonstrate from their experience the ability to:

  • Promote and sustain high standards.
  • Inspire, lead and motivate students and staff to influence the quality of learning and teaching and initiate change.
  • Take a lead role in innovative curriculum development.
  • Contribute to self-evaluation exercises and whole school development.
  • Manage the performance of other members of staff.
  • Organize professional development activities for the Secondary sections and issues relating to Secondary education.
  • Share expertise, skills, and knowledge with staff.
  • Develop and maintain high standards and expectations.
  • Have personal impact and presence to be able to initiate change and achieve excellence.

 

4: Personal Skills and Attributes

Applicants should:

  • Demonstrate a high level of commitment and professionalism.
  • Have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
  • Be able to create and maintain effective partnerships with staff, the school board, parents, students, and the wider school community.
  • Be a good team player and be able to lead and inspire by being an excellent role model.
  • Be able to work independently and on your own initiative.
  • Seek advice and support when necessary.
  • Have good time management skills and an ability to plan and prioritize work and tasks for you and your phase team.
  • Maintain a personal commitment to professional development linked to the competencies necessary to deliver the requirements of this post.
  • Be approachable, positive, flexible, and enthusiastic with a good sense of humor.

 

Start Date: September 2022

Please send your CV and cover letter to HR@virginiaschool.ae

 

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