Job Purpose

The Head of Primary reports to the Principal and is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational management of the primary school and is accountable for delivering the highest standard of education and pastoral care. The Head of Primary is a member of the whole school leadership team and will be expected to work closely with the Head of Secondary and other members of staff to contribute to the ongoing strategic development of Nexus. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establishing goals and expectations: includes the setting, communication and monitoring of learning goals, standards and expectations, and the involvement of staff and others in the process so that there is clarity and consensus about goals.

• Strategic resourcing: involves aligning resource selection and allocation to priority goals. This includes the provision of appropriate expertise through involvement in staff appointments.

• Planning, coordinating and evaluating teaching and the curriculum: direct involvement in the support and evaluation of teaching through regular classroom visits and provision of formative and summative feedback to teachers. Direct oversight of curriculum through school wide coordination across subjects and year levels and alignment to school goals.

• Promoting and participating in teacher learning and development: leadership that not only promotes but directly participates with teachers in formal or informal professional learning.

• Ensuring an orderly and supportive environment: protecting time for teaching and learning by reducing external pressures and interruptions and establishing an orderly and supportive environment both inside and outside classrooms.

Establishing goals and expectations

• Contribute to the development of whole school strategic planning.

• Lead the Primary  Leadership Team in devising and implementing improvement plans that provide academic success as well as further embedding The Nexus Way.

• Ensure that pastoral structures are effective in supporting learners’ emotional wellbeing.

• Develop and promote a learning environment which secures effective learning across the breadth of the curriculum

• Provide overall leadership for all staff to build capacity and promote a collaborative culture of learning.

• Have overall responsibility for the achievement and well-being of learners in the primary school.

Strategic resourcing

• Contribute to whole school decisions about resource allocation.

• Effectively manage delegated budgets and assets.

• Lead staff recruitment in the primary school.

Planning, coordinating and evaluating teaching and the curriculum

• Lead the development of a rich and innovative primary curriculum which meets the needs of all learners.

• Contribute to whole school curriculum development, working with the Head of Secondary.

• Support and evaluate the quality of teaching.

• Develop and oversee mechanisms for monitoring and tracking learner progress.

• Develop and oversee assessment and reporting in the primary school. 

• Be responsible for effective staff performance

Promoting and participating in teacher learning and development

• Contribute to the whole school plan for teacher learning and development.

• Ensure that professional learning activities in the primary school are valuable and support teacher learning and school goals. 

• Promote a collaborative learning culture in the school.

• Model professional learning and support others in their professional learning goals.

• Oversee the Teacher Professional Assurance process in the primary school.

Ensuring an orderly and supportive environment

• Provide a safe physical and emotional environment in the school

• Assist in the development of an environment which is culturally safe for  all learners,

• Assist in developing and maintaining a collegial and supportive culture in the school that encourages risk taking and openness

• Develop and implement procedures to support good classroom behaviour.

• Ensure constructive and respectful learner, parent, staff and community relationships.

• Assist in the development and implementation of effective systems for managing routines and processes

• Ensure that all staff in are familiar with school wide systems and processes as applicable

• Be a member of the school safeguarding team.

Other projects, duties and responsibilities

• Be responsible for school admissions

• Teach a small number of classes as negotiated with the Principal

• Attend Open Days and other marketing events as required

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

The Head of Primary reports to the Principal.

In addition the Head of Primary will develop and maintain effective working relationships with:

• The Head of Secondary

• The Head of Operations

• The Primary Leadership Team and teachers

• Administration staff

• Parents & Learners

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Qualifications and Training

A degree plus teaching qualification (PGCE or equivalent)

Evidence of continued relevant professional development 

Higher degree (MA / MEd) or recognised professional qualification (NPQH / ILMP) 

Experience

Experience in teaching working with learners with diverse needs, especially EAL

Experience in an international school environment

Experience in Primary leadership.

Knowledge and Understanding

Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of best practice in primary education.

Understanding and knowledge of principles and practice of inclusion.

An understanding of best practice in safeguarding. 

Person Qualities

The Head of Primary at NISM needs to be:

• Learning focussed  

• Inclusive

• Innovative

• Motivated

• Flexible and open to new ideas

• Resilient

• Internationally minded

• Collaborative

CORE COMPETENCIES

We are looking for someone who can:

• establish and maintain good relationships with colleagues, learners and parents

• communicate effectively orally and in writing

• deal effectively and non confrontationally with learners, staff and parents

• positively influence others

• listen actively

• motivate and engage with colleagues

• maintain an appropriate positive outlook in times of stress

• encourage high standards and expectations

• manage change and lead innovation