Head of Primary Years

Roles & Responsibilities

ROLE DESCRIPTION

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

● Support the Principal in developing and communicating a clear strategic vision of how to develop the school successfully. Motivate and empower others to carry the vision forward.

● Model the values and vision of the school and support the agreed aims and ethos of the school.

● Promote the vision of the school and its commitment to expecting the highest achievements from all members of the school community.

● Support the Principal in managing the school effectively and ensuring the successful implementation of change.

● To work closely with colleagues on the School Leadership Team to provide cohesive whole school leadership.

● To develop an ambitious vision for the Primary School, translating this into a measurable strategy to build on existing strengths and achieve future goals.

● To ground this strategy in the context of a highly competitive Singapore market and the continuously evolving external environment, ensuring the school is well placed to respond to change.

● To work closely with the Principal to ensure effective financial and resource management of the Primary School and to assist in the management of budgets.

● Contribute to staff Continuous Professional Development.

● Organise the Primary school timetable.

● Observe teachers’ lessons and conduct learning walks.

PRIMARY SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

● Lead and manage the academic standards, pastoral care and co-curricular activities of the Primary school.

● Ensure effective and robust systems are in place to conduct data analysis, track and monitor student progress and ensure appropriate intervention (when required) is put in place.

● Ensure effective and robust systems are in place to support and promote student welfare and uphold the school’s policies on uniform, behaviour, discipline and bullying.

● Provide clear, strategic leadership to the Primary teachers and proactively create opportunities for professional development.

● Foster an environment in which every student is given the opportunity to realise their full potential in educational, sporting, cultural, service, sustainability and personal pursuits.

ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP

● To champion a vibrant, imaginative learning culture within a supportive community.

● Work with the PYP Coordinator to continuously evaluate the academic provision and ensure that the Primary School curriculum is regularly reviewed, encouraging a culture of innovation.

● To maintain a strong, current knowledge of the latest pedagogical developments globally and lead by example in encouraging colleagues to be outward facing in their approach, utilising appropriate data to inform decisions.

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

● To have an awareness and understanding of current safeguarding regulations and best practice, and a thorough appreciation of how schools can promote the welfare of all children and ensure that they feel safe at school.

● Support the wellbeing of Primary students and develop a culture and create opportunities where they can achieve their potential and flourish.

● To foster a supportive environment for students and staff and develop and maintain a culture of caring in the School.

● To embrace and lead the school’s commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

● Attend and participate in open evenings, parents’ evenings and student performances.

● Lead on transition of new students into the Primary School and lead on Parent Information Sessions.

● Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the Primary School.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

● Involve students in the decision-making processes in the school and develop policies and practices that treat students as partners in the learning process.

● To work closely with the Principal to recruit, retain and develop high calibre staff to ensure that education in the Primary School is delivered to the highest standard.

● To work closely with the PYP Coordinator to deliver the IB PYP Curriculum and class teachers to support the progress of students

● To build and maintain strong relationships with parents, demonstrating a detailed understanding of the needs of an international and diverse community.

● Lead and motivate others to ensure effective working relationships are maintained and the contribution of colleagues to improve the quality of education provided and standards achieved is

maximised.

● Develop links with the wider community including PYP schools on a local, national and international stage.

● Line manage and mentor middle leaders.

● To be an ambassador for EtonHouse on a local, national and international stage.

● Be a role model who creates and fosters good working relationships with all members of the school community.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

● Be familiar with and implement the school’s health and safety policy.

● Ensure that health and safety policies and practices, including risk assessments, are in-line with national requirements and updated where necessary.

● Have regard to health and safety across the school in all aspects of work, in line with the school’s health and safety policy.

GENERAL

● Be an excellent teacher with a passion for Primary education.

● Be a visible presence across the school for students, staff and parents.

● Participate in co-curriculum activities across the school at a level to be agreed with the Principal.

● Model a balanced approach to academic, pastoral and co-curricular commitments.

● Together with the School Leadership Team (SLT), create and support a culture of safeguarding and child protection, reinforcing the key schoolwide focus on keeping children safe.

● Lead by example in terms of dress, punctuality and attendance.

Undertake any other duties commensurate with the general level of responsibility of the post that the Principal may from time to time ask the post-holder to perform.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EXPERIENCE

● An evidenced track record of successful IB PYP Coordinator experience.

● An excellent primary practitioner with a good degree in Early Childhood Care and/or Primary Education with 6 - 8 years of direct work experience in an (International) primary school.

● Strong knowledge and experience in IB PYP curriculum.

● Experience in developing and/or teaching an inquiry play based early childhood curriculum.

● Proven experience of leading and developing strategic initiatives.

● Clear evidence of a positive personal contribution to a school in the pursuit of excellence and a commitment to innovation.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

● Strong leadership skills with the ability to think creatively and deliver a clear holistic strategy.

● Strong people management skills with the capacity to delegate effectively, empower colleagues to take ownership and provide meaningful support and challenge.

● Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships across the school community.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

● The energy and drive to motivate a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.

● Inspire, engage and enthuse students, staff and parents.

● Challenge, support and listen to students, staff and parents.

● Keep an open, proactive and solution-focused approach.

● Exhibit confidence with humility.

● High levels of cultural sensitivity and the flexibility and resilience to thrive in a dynamic international environment.

● Possess a sense of humour with the right balance of gravitas.

● Considerable personal and professional empathy and integrity.

● A warm, collaborative and visible leadership style with the presence to motivate and inspire excellence in others in a small school context.

● Proven ability to use initiative, assume responsibility for tasks and projects and to resolve problems.

● Have the ability and desire to work hard, as well as strike a healthy school/home balance.

● Be able to manage own wellbeing and support others with theirs.

Tell employers what skills you have

Management Skills
Sustainability
Primary Education
Leadership
Data Analysis
Teaching
Community Health
Child Protection
Translating
Pastoral Care
Wellbeing
Evidence
Resource Management
Humility
People Management

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