THE UK SCHOOL NORTH LONDON COLLEGIATE SCHOOL DUBAI Seeks a HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL Effective January 2017 North London Collegiate School (UK) was founded in 1850 by Frances Mary Buss in order to offer an academically ambitious education to girls, similar to that available to their brothers. The School has pioneered women s education for over 160 years and remains among the highest achieving schools in the UK. Exam results consistently top the UK league tables and the School has repeatedly outperformed other prestigious schools in terms of Oxbridge success rates. The Sutton Trust has rated NLCS as first in the UK for success in placing students at competitive universities and NLCS is one of only two schools to have been twice named the Sunday Times Independent School of the Year, which described it as Possibly the best advertisement for girls-only education in the country. In 2011, North London opened its first international branch school in South Korea NLCS Jeju. Working with an agency of the South Korean government, the school was the first of a number of international schools to be built as part of an ambitious project to transform the island of Jeju into a global hub, The School, which is co-educational, day and boarding, opened with over 400 pupils and, now in its fifth year of operation, has over 1000 on the roll. When at capacity, the school will cater for 1400 boys and girls, 80 percent of whom will be boarders. NLCS Jeju offers the IB Diploma to all students in the Sixth Form and its first year of results (after just three years of operation) achieved a Diploma average score of 36 points per pupil, to rival top-performing jurisdictions such as Singapore. In its second year of Diploma results (and fourth year of operation) students achieved an average Diploma point-score of 37. THE DUBAI SCHOOL North London Collegiate School Dubai will offer an academically ambitious education in keeping with the aspirational ethos of NLCS (UK), and the same impressive range of extra-curricular activities, to foster well-rounded individuals who are capable of becoming leaders. The School will be a coeducational diamond structure day school for pupils aged 3-18 years, situated within the prestigious Hartland development in Dubai (adjacent to the Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum City District One development). Eventually catering for over 1800 pupils, the School will be built and funded by our partners in the project, the leading Indian property development company, Sobha. While ensuring academic excellence and intellectual challenge, NLCS Dubai will be equally concerned with supporting the development of the whole person and will aim to inspire confidence, individuality and self-esteem. NLCS Dubai will be an English-speaking school and the significant majority of teachers will be UK passport-holders. A number of lessons per week will be devoted to the teaching of the Arabic language and Islamic Education which are compulsory for all students up to the age of 16, although more lessons are required for students of Arab descent than for others. 1
THE ETHOS The ethos of NLCS Dubai will echo that of NLCS (UK) every effort will be made to recreate the ethos of the UK parent school, whilst taking into account and remaining sensitive to the local culture and context. At North London Collegiate schools, academic success is gained not through an emphasis on results but through creating an atmosphere of rigorous scholarship, where pupils are encouraged to study beyond the examination syllabus in order to develop their intellectual curiosity and love of their subjects. The pastoral well-being of students is of the utmost importance and good relationships are fostered between pupils and staff, as well as between the pupils themselves. The extra-curricular life of NLCS schools is vibrant, both in academic and non-academic fields. Students participate in a wide range of subject-focussed clubs and societies, from weekly book groups to Debating Societies, from Young Historians to Literary and Dramatic Society and Model United Nations. In the UK over forty academic clubs and societies operate weekly meetings and events in the Sixth Form in order to give students every opportunity to develop their intellectual curiosity, independence of thought and genuine love of subject; there are a large number of high quality studentproduced academic journals which reflect the particular interests of these societies. Non-academic activities also thrive as the School aims to create an environment in which the whole personality can grow. Extra-curricular Sport, Music and Drama are all of excellent quality and large numbers of students are involved. In the UK, the School has produced sports players at national and regional level as well as nationally-recognised musicians, composers and actors. Since the opening of a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre in 2007, productions and concerts have benefited from this professional standard facility with over 40 performances a year in this venue alone. This ethos and broad range of opportunities have already been effectively recreated at our first branch school, NLCS Jeju, and will be equally central to the provision at NLCS Dubai. THE CURRICULUM Our intention is that NLCS Dubai will offer schemes of work based on the NLCS (UK) curriculum and may incorporate the IB Primary Years Programme. As mentioned above, an extensive extra-curricular programme of Sport, Music, Drama and other activities which closely reflects that at NLCS (UK) will be provided to enrich and broaden the education offered, developing the talents and confidence of students. LIFE IN DUBAI Dubai is a thriving international hub, where approximately 90% of the c.2 million residents are expatriates living alongside the local Emiratis. The successful candidate will be sympathetic to and considerate of the culture of a Muslim country, in both their personal and professional life. THE POSITION The Head of Junior School is the educational and administrative leader of the Junior School and will hold Vice Principal status, reporting directly to the Principal. He/she will be responsible for the dayto-day running of the Junior School, shaping its academic and extra-curricular programme, building a high-quality team of teaching staff, establishing and developing a culture of excellence, leading the Junior School s operations and developing strong and positive relationships within and outside the School community. He/She will be selected by the Headmistress of NLCS (UK) and by the Principal of NLCS Dubai and be answerable to the Principal on strategic and operational matters in order to deliver the highest quality of provision and to ensure that the ethos and standards of an NLCS school are maintained. The Head of Juniors will be accountable to the Principal for the implementation of policy and strategy, including the design and delivery of the School Development Plan, and will work closely 2
with other members of the Senior Team on the day-to-day operations of the Junior School and the School as a whole. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Please refer to Job Description QUALIFICATIONS & QUALITIES SOUGHT Please refer to Person Specification TERMS AND CONDITIONS The successful candidate will be employed by the Dubai school operating company on an initial threeyear term. Salary and benefits are highly competitive and will be commensurate with the responsibilities of the position and with the candidate s experience and qualifications. PARTICULARS OF THE SEARCH Applicants are invited to submit: 1. a letter of application, addressed to the Headmistress of NLCS (UK) 2. a fully completed application form (available from the vacancy website at tes.co.uk) 3. a current CV The application form should contain the name, email address, postal address and day-time telephone number of three referees who may be contacted at any stage in the application process; these should be direct supervisors or persons in senior positions of responsibility not peers - who can validate the applicant s suitability for the role. Emailed applications are preferred and, as long as you receive an acknowledgment of receipt from us, you are not required to mail a hard copy of your documents. Faxed applications must be followed up by an emailed application or a hard copy. The Headmistress North London Collegiate School Canons, Canons Drive Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7RJ E-mail: yfahiya@nlcs.org.uk The closing date for applications is 12pm BST on Tuesday 7 th June 2016. Preliminary Skype interviews anticipated to take place 9-10 th June. Shortlisted Interviews will take place at NLCS (UK) on the 23 rd and 24 th June; only candidates proceeding to the panel stage will be required on the 24 th. Travel and accommodation will be provided. 3
PERSON SPECIFICATION Head of Junior School North London Collegiate School Dubai The right person for this position will have the following capabilities in terms of experience and skills: Leadership Leadership experience within a significant, relevant organisation and proven ability to develop strategy and convert it into results. An exceptional leader with proven ability to forge partnerships and build positive working relationships, negotiate with, and influence others. Communication Skills Outstanding communication, influencing and negotiating skills across a range of stakeholders. Enjoyment of, and proven ability in, communicating with young people. Experience, Qualifications and Knowledge Committed to an education that offers academic ambition and rigour, and excellence in subject teaching across the School. Educated to degree level (and preferably beyond). Proven track record of successful leadership and delivery of academically ambitious teaching and learning. Proven successful track record of leading and delivering transformational and cultural change. Significant understanding of relevant legislation and new developments underpinning educational delivery, including pastoral matters. Extensive knowledge of curriculum development throughout the primary age-range. A record of success in (or demonstrable understanding of) recruiting and integrating students into a new school. Management of Staff and Resources Proven ability in the successful leadership of staff and management of resources. Ability to create and develop leadership structures. Proven commitment to recruiting and developing highly qualified and able staff. Attitude/Approach Ability to generate and deliver collective vision and shared purpose. Proven ability to motivate, enthuse and drive forward individuals and teams to achieve at the highest levels. 4
Ability to demonstrate emotional intelligence, adaptable to differing situations. Ability to be sensitive of and adapt to cultural differences. Drive, tenacity, resilience, ability to maintain focus, objectivity and sound judgement under complex conditions and pressure. 5
JOB DESCRIPTION Head of Junior School North London Collegiate School Dubai The Head of Junior School is the educational and administrative leader of the Junior School and will hold Vice Principal status. He/she will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Junior School, shaping its academic and extra-curricular programme, building a high-quality team of teaching staff, establishing and further developing a culture of excellence, leading the Junior School s operations and developing strong and positive relationships within and outside the School community. The Head of Juniors reports to the Principal. The Head of Junior School will be responsible for: 1. Providing strategic direction and leadership for the Junior School, in line with the School s educational philosophy as an NLCS school. 2. Ensuring that students enjoy a caring, happy and structured environment for work and play in which they, their parents and staff can feel secure. 3. Modelling good practice for all staff. 4. Developing and maintaining a strong and supportive school community in which good relationships between staff and pupils and between pupils themselves are fostered. 5. Developing and maintaining a strong understanding of NLCS s ethos and traditions as well as programmes of study, procedures and practices in all aspects of Junior School life and adopting these or adapting them where appropriate. 6. Producing and implementing the annual Junior School sections of the School Development Plan and overseeing its subsequent annual Evaluation. 7. Recruiting and retaining a high calibre team of teaching and support staff. 8. Developing the Junior School curriculum in order to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum that provides opportunities and challenges for students along similar lines to that of NLCS (UK). 9. Producing a Junior School Handbook (or Junior School section of the School Handbook) with appropriate policies covering all aspects of Junior School life for both staff and students. 10. Ensuring that the physical resources of the Junior School are made use of as effectively and efficiently as possible in keeping with the ethos of NLCS (UK). 11. Acting as primary contact in matters relating to students in the Junior School. 12. Acting as primary contact in matters relating to the parents of Junior School students. 6
Duties and responsibilities Leadership 1. Providing dynamic, consistent and inspirational leadership for the Junior School and its staff, ensuring the successful communication and delivery of the School s vision, ethos, aims and objectives. 2. Taking overall responsibility for the strategic planning and day to day operation of the Junior School in line with the School s aims and objectives. 3. Leading the Junior School Leadership Team. 4. Leading the Junior School community. 5. Developing and maintaining a team of professional teachers who can introduce their subject with enthusiasm and drive and ensuring a supportive working environment in which life-long learning and professional development is encouraged and is appropriately supported through resources and budgeting. 6. Keeping abreast of pastoral and academic matters in relation to the students and advise the Senior Team of their relevance and impact on the School 7. Advising the Principal on matters relating to Junior School students 8. Advising the Principal on Junior School staffing needs 9. Chairing Junior School staff meetings/briefings 10. Providing reports to the Principal as and when required 11. Preparing and managing Junior School arrangements relating to Monitoring and Inspection Visits by NLCS (UK) and other regulatory bodies. 12. Contributing to the School s marketing activity as and when required 13. Undertaking all such supervisory duties as are required of Senior Team members. Educational Attainment and Delivery 14. Creating opportunities for all pupils to recognise academic excellence and realise that it is attainable. 15. Ensuring that a high quality educational experience is available for all students who attend the School and that they are able to make the most of their gifts. 16. Ensuring that an ambitious curriculum is developed and delivered through effective subject teaching, learning and assessment practice. 17. Developing an educational vision which reflects the values of North London Collegiate School and ensures pupils are well prepared for further studies and the work place. 18. Ensuring that the curriculum matches the aims of the School and reflects the needs of students, maintaining an understanding of curricular developments around the world so as to ensure that NLCS Dubai continues to be a model of good practice in terms of learning and teaching. 7
19. Keeping fully up to date with curriculum developments and ensuring that any changes are appropriately addressed 20. Collaborating with the Principal in the development and implementation of the academic programme of the School 21. Holding responsibility for development of the Junior School's timetable 22. Ensuring that measures of achievement are accurate and readily available so that students and their parents can take an active interest in performance and reflect upon progress 23. Maintaining an open dialogue between the school, students and their parents. 24. Holding responsibility for monitoring the progress of Junior School students from first placement in the school to the time they leave. Pastoral Leadership 25. Taking primary responsibility for the pastoral care of the students in Junior School from the time of their admission to the time that they leave 26. Liaising with the Principal and other members of the Senior Team to ensure that practice is consistent across the School 27. Ensuring that appropriate guidance programmes are in place to offer students support as they transition between the various stages of their education, and between countries as appropriate 28. Overseeing the Student Awards system 29. Overseeing the Junior School discipline policy 30. Ensuring that School policy and procedure with regard to Safeguarding is adhered to at all times in the Junior School 31. Working alongside key staff to ensure that the Y6/Y7 transition programme is effective 32. Assuring the effectiveness of the programme of School Clubs, assemblies, the House system, and all school activities which take place outside the formal classroom. Partnerships 33. Developing and maintaining strong links with NLCS (UK), as well as other NLCS-affiliated schools. 34. Working with public and voluntary-sector agencies, clubs and societies as appropriate in the local community to develop extended programmes of participation and learning. 35. Supporting and developing a spirit of public service, internationalism and social enterprise. 36. Establishing and developing appropriate partnerships with other schools (both State and Private) in the immediate area, nationally and internationally. 8
Resources and Performance Management 37. Delivering effective operational management for the Junior School within the relevant budget and in accordance with financial probity. 38. Working to, and reporting on, targets for achievement and operation of the Junior School as defined in the School s Development plan. 39. Developing and maintaining an effective organisational structure. 40. Collaborating with the Admissions Office in all matters relating to enrolment of students 41. Overseeing the Admissions process, and preparing testing materials, for Junior School admissions 42. Encouraging a culture of strong teamwork 43. Developing and implementing the appraisal system for teaching staff 44. Maintaining appropriate support for staff, including leading the Professional Development programme in the Junior School to ensure that strategic aims are met 45. Overseeing the deployment and appraisal of Junior School support staff 46. Assisting in the appointment of new staff and managing their induction to the school 47. Ensuring that quality control procedures for new staff are followed 48. Taking responsibility for the appearance and good order of teaching classrooms, ensuring that they reflect an atmosphere of learning, discovery and interest 49. Acting in accordance with UAE and Dubai legislation as well as UK guidelines affecting the conduct of the School, particularly those concerning welfare, health and safety matters and employment rights. NOTE: This description is not exhaustive and, as with all posts, the Principal will reserve the right to vary precise responsibilities should needs change and opportunities arise. 9