Head of Prep School at Durham International Schools

Main Responsibilities

• Promote and achieve the School’s ethos, aims and objectives.
• Ensure the achievement of excellent educational and pastoral standards. Promote and safeguard the welfare of all and of the staff.
• Run the school safely, efficiently, effectively and in a way that is financially sound. Lead the development and growth of the School.
• Forge strong relationships with other Durham schools.

The Head is also accountable for

• Ensuring full compliance with all policies, with all statutory requirements and with accepted good/best practice.
• Ensuring that Directors are kept informed of progress and of all relevant issues.
• Providing the Board with timely professional guidance and sound recommendations for its vision, strategy, policies, and decisions.
• Success in the role will require a deep and passionate interest in the well-being and personal development of each and every child, with the ability and a willingness to encourage and support students, staff and parents.

Key accountabilities

• Lead the overall strategy of the school and be an excellent role model to all.
• Recruit, retain, develop, motivate and manage staff.
• Develop the academic, extra-curricular and pastoral life of the school and ensure the highest standards of teaching, learning and pastoral care.
• Work collaboratively and effectively with the Governors and Directors.
• Promote excellent working relations among and between staff and students.
• Ensure all policies are compliant with current regulations and reviewed regularly. Undertake appropriate professional development and keep abreast of educational trends and ideas, refining the school's vision and practice.
• Instigate, plan and manage change effectively.
• Promote and market Durham effectively to parents and other audiences.

The successful candidate will:

• Have a successful track record of leadership and management.
• Be able to demonstrate first class communication skills.
• Possess the Durham School values: moral integrity, ambition, responsibility and kindness.

Furthermore, the successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate following:

Qualifications and Skills

• Undergraduate degree in a related field, plus appropriate post-graduate educational qualifications (teaching certificate or degree, Master’s etc.)
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in schools.
• Minimum of 3 years at senior leadership team level.
• Attendance on appropriate professional development programmes.
• High standard of teaching, with ability to model the highest standards of learning and teaching to colleagues.
• Effective communication skills and a high level of emotional intelligence.
• Excellent technological skills and the ability to communicate using a range of technical applications.