Academic Principal (Primary/Secondary) - #1097561

Location: East (nearest MRT Tampines West DT31)

Purpose of Job

The core purpose of the Academic Principal is to provide professional instructional leadership in the management of the school. This will promote a secure foundation from which to achieve high standards in all areas of the school’s work. The Academic Principal must play a lead role in establishing a culture that promotes excellence, equality and high expectations for all pupils. The Academic Principal is a leading professional in the school, accountable to the Academic and Examination Board (AEB). The Academic Principal assists in providing academic vision, leadership and direction for the school and helps to ensure that it is managed to meet its aims and targets. Working with the AEB and others, the Academic Principal will support evaluation of the school’s academic performance to identify the priorities for continuous improvement and raising standards; ensuring equality of opportunity for all and developing policies and practices. The Academic Principal will take a shared responsibility for creating a productive learning environment which is engaging and fulfilling for all pupils.

Duties and Responsibilities

Management and Administration

· Part of the school Academic Management Team and Academic and Examination Board (AEB) providing leadership to the academic division of the school;

· To inspire, challenge, motivate and empower others to attain challenging outcomes;

· To establish clear expectations and constructive working relationships among staff;

· To initiate and manage change and improvement to develop the school and its staff, ensuring positive staff participation and effective communication and procedures;

· To maintain high expectations of all staff and prepared to challenge poor performance;

· Act as mentor to designated supervisors and/or head of subjects, supporting as appropriate and aiding the development of key documentation and implementation of policy;

· Lead/develop relief/cover schedule for absent teachers in line with the school relief/cover policy;

· To support and assist the AEB in planning, managing and monitoring all academic functions effectively to achieve the aims of the school.

Teaching and Learning

· Play a major part in securing outstanding classroom practice across the school;

· To encourage innovation, the development of independent learning, cross curricular initiatives and the further use of technologies;

· To ensure that the learning and teaching provided by different curriculum areas and teaching teams form a co-ordinated, coherent curriculum which achieves the best possible outcomes for all;

· Ensure that information on student progress is used to improve teaching and learning to inform and motivate students, to inform parents and to aid governors in their future management of the school;

· To contribute to the monitoring and development of learning and teaching and our commitment to academic improvement;

· Share in whole school data analysis to determine how well the school is performing and assist with target setting as appropriate;

· To maintain a secure, caring, welcoming, happy, stimulating and challenging learning environment;

· Ensuring that the individual pupil’s continuity of learning and effective progression of achievement are provided for in this all-through school by liaison with fellow school leaders, teachers and support staff;

· Oversee the planning and allocation of resources designed to facilitate the planned curriculum, including advising the AEB on current/anticipated needs for staff and other resources;

· Oversee the planning and co-ordination of a school homework policy and the administration of a homework timetable;

· Oversee all pupil assessment (both internal and external) and the monitoring of academic standards;

· Provide guidance and support to staff in implementing schemes of learning and ensure that statutory and school policies are being met;

· Ensure that arrangements are in place for the identification and support of children of all abilities;

· Contribute to teaching in the school as an excellent practitioner, undertaking an appropriate programme of teaching;

· Work across the school with other senior staff to ensure consistency of behaviour management, expectations and attendance; work with relevant staff to establish appropriate mechanisms to identify and support students with special educational needs.

NOTE: The jobs specifications listed above are in addition to all school duties outlined in the job description for teachers. As the Principal within the department, it is expected that the Academic Principal would be a role model in carrying out the regular duties of a teacher. In addition, the post holder will perform other duties which may be reasonably assigned from time to time by the management

Person Specification

Qualifications

· A degree plus teaching qualification (or equivalent)

· Higher degree or recognised professional qualification (preferred)

· Evidence of continued relevant professional development

Experience

· At least 10 years’ outstanding teaching and leadership experience in an international school setting

· Experience with the Cambridge/Singapore/other renowned international curriculum

· Demonstrates experience in inspiring students in a stimulating learning environment

· Has the ability to analyze student data to support student achievement

· Experience being previously a Vice Principal would be an added advantage

Personal qualities

· A team player respected by others

· Ability to act quickly and sensitively under pressure, to keep calm in difficult situations, deal with stress and absorb pressure

· Ability to manage own workload appropriately, with the enthusiasm, stamina and passion to enthuse and motivate others with regard to all aspects of the education of the school.

· Open and constructive, accepting of feedback and always willing to learn

· Excellent interpersonal skills, a sense of humour and a willingness to make him/herself approachable to all members of the school and the wider community; a ‘can do’ positive approach

· The ability to prioritise, evaluate and manage financial and human resource