ISP Head of Primary Role Profile

Purpose of Role

The purpose of this role is to offer leadership, inspiration and guidance, to manage the day-to-day routines of the Primary School, to play a major role in strategic planning for the whole school and to work effectively as a key member of the School Leadership team. Aspen Heights British School (AHBS) is a truly inclusive school based on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. We are proud of our inclusive ethos and our commitment to ensuring all children are provided with personalised learning experiences and the proper support to ensure they can make progress in learning in all areas.

Department: Academic

Report to (Title): Principal

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Management:

• Deputise for the Principal where appropriate
• Work with the Principal and the Leadership Team to formulate aims, objectives and strategic plans for the School
• Manage self-evaluation and the construction and publication of the Primary Phase Development Plan
• Prepare, publish and implement an appropriate and effective primary timetable that meets the needs of students and regulatory requirements
• Undertake Performance Management Reviews for relevant staff, and assist with the performance review process for all academic staff
• Work with the Principal to ensure that staff development needs are identified and that appropriate programmes are designed to meet such needs, in line with the SEF and SDP
• Evaluate all primary CPD in terms of benefit to the school and individual; ensure that the details of such evaluation are recorded
• Establish links with other schools, both international and local, to develop opportunities to share and disseminate good practice. Such opportunities might include teacher and/or pupil exchanges
• Assist in the preparation of Job Specifications for all primary staff and participate in the interview/selection process for new staff
• Be responsible for providing effective induction for new primary staff, particularly new Heads of Key Stages and Subject Coordinators, in line with School procedures
• Manage the annual publication of detailed Key Stage 1 and 2 reviews
• Act as a positive role model, promote teamwork and motivate staff to ensure high quality teaching and effective working relations
• Oversee the process of the setting of academic targets for primary students and work towards their achievement
• Monitor and evaluate academic standards at all levels in primary in line with agreed school procedures, including some benchmarking against other schools, and against international and UK standards
• The management of academic analysis and of the evaluation of performance data as they relate to the primary phase
• Identify and take appropriate action on issues arising from data, systems and reports, setting deadlines where necessary and reviewing progress on the action taken
• In conjunction with the School Leadership Team, and other colleagues, assist with the management of the school’s collection of data, particularly where it relates to the development of pupils at primary level
• Provide comprehensive information on academic and ECA programmes, philosophy, aims and requirements to staff, students, parents and all school stakeholders
• Oversee the annual review and publication of the Student and Parent Handbooks
• Oversee the publication of a weekly Primary Newsletter
• Manage Primary School content on the school website
• Ensure that all members of the school communicate appropriately with colleagues, parents and students on school matters
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication relating to the primary phase with parents, including parents’ conferences, record cards and full reports, the use of the website, and all other informal means of communication
• Contribute to all school marketing and liaison activities, including Open Days, and other events
• Ensure that all materials relating to the primary phase published to parents and pupils are appropriate and of good quality
• Liaison with feeder schools and external agencies
• Actively promote the establishment of effective links with external agencies
• Manage the available resources of space, staff, money and equipment efficiently within the limits, guidelines and procedures laid down
• The preparation and deployment of the Primary phase budget in conjunction with the Finance Manager
• Act as a cost centre holder, requisitioning, organising and maintaining equipment and stock, and keeping appropriate records
• Work with the Principal/ senior leaders to ensure that the teaching commitments of the primary phase are effectively and efficiently time-tabled and accommodated
• Monitor and evaluate the overall progress and development of primary students, including those with EAL, special educational needs, and the gifted and talented
• Ensure that the school’s behaviour management policy is implemented for pupils so that effective learning can take place
• Monitor pupil attendance, ensuring that follow-up procedures are adhered to and appropriate action taken where necessary
• All staff are required to manage effective personal development as part of the Company’s commitment to invest in staff as the key resource in the organisation

Teaching and learning:

• Ensure that learning is at the centre of strategic planning and resource. Lead and support the teaching and learning of all children within the school through promoting models of excellent classroom practice coaching, mentoring and supported self-evaluation for teaching staff
• Manage and monitor the design, development and implementation of processes for the collection of useful, timely, and accurate assessment data to track the progress of individual and groups of children in order to inform planning, evaluate performance, track progress and secure raised achievement across all key stages. This will include agreeing and articulating high expectations and setting stretching targets for the whole community
• Monitor the effectiveness of teaching and learning through teachers’ planning, work sampling and scrutiny, lesson observations, supporting auditing and reporting outcomes, successful or otherwise and planning next steps and future actions
• Takes a strategic role in the development of new and emerging technologies to enhance and extend the learning experience of pupils
• Lead curriculum development throughout the primary phase to ensure the delivery of an appropriate, challenging and interesting academic and ECA programme that complements the philosophy of the school
• Keep up to date with national and international developments in all curriculum areas, and with advances in teaching practice and methodology
• Monitor and respond to all curriculum initiatives at international and local levels

Strengthening Community:

• Promote and model good relationships with parents and carers, which are based on partnerships to support and improve pupils’ learning and achievement
• Contribute to the development of the school as a community within the community, strengthening partnerships with families, neighbours, our local and wider community, other schools, services and the local authority
• Contribute to the development of the education system by sharing effective and best practice, working in partnership with other schools and promoting innovation
• Liaise with our partner schools in the ISP group and other service providers including extended service providers and community resources to enrich and expand our provision and secure partnerships, collaborations, enrichment opportunities and expertise which bring benefits to all children and our school community
• Contribute to policies and practices which promote equality of opportunity and tackle prejudice and discrimination, support staff well- being and work-life balance and help to ensure we provide access to opportunities for growth, achievement and success for all adults and children in school

Health and Safety

• Emphasises the importance of safety in all areas of the curriculum, communicating to the pupils the importance of a responsible attitude towards personal safety, the safety of others and respect for Aspen Heights British School’s property and equipment
• Perform playground duties on time and with due diligence to safeguard Aspen students
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Assist in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct
• Ensure that, all the necessary health and safety rules and procedures are being followed
• Maintain an awareness of all the health and safety measures to be taken when in school

Other duties and responsibilities

Any other duties that the Principal may from time to time ask the post-holder to perform

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Minimum Educational Qualifications Required for the Role :

Bachelor’s Degree in relevant discipline

Teacher certification

Minimum Years of Experience Required:

5 years’ teaching experience

Experience as an overseas educator in a preferably inclusive international setting

Well versed and current in a British curriculum

Language Skills

English is mandatory.

Special Skills and Abilities

Competencies:

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of School curriculum (English National Curriculum – Primary) and associated assessment methods
• Up to date curriculum developments
• Application of effective teaching and learning theory and practice of providing effectively for the individual needs of all children (e.g. classroom organisation and learning strategies)
• Proven leadership and management skills
• A senior management background in primary education
• A leader of teaching and learning and a key person in the senior leadership team
• Experienced curriculum and team leader
• Budget management experience

Skills

• The ability to develop good personal relationships within a team
• An effective and experienced communicator (written and verbal) to a variety of audiences
• High level of IT competency

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about delivering quality education
• Able to command respect of pupils, colleagues and parents
• Organised with proven ability to meet deadlines
• Driven by wanting to improve quality and develop the school
• Reliable with an attention to detail and a commitment to quality
• An innovator with a willingness to embrace change

Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified.

Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

Employees are expected to be courteous to colleagues and provide a welcoming environment to visitors and telephone callers.

ISP Leadership Competencies

You consistently demonstrate and role-model the ISP Leadership Competencies in all that you do.

1. Takes an active part in leading their school or region; is cooperative and a genuine team player, developing positive, supportive relationships with colleagues to solve problems and maximise opportunities.
2. Learning & Getting Better. Continually demonstrates personal commitment and passion for learning and getting better using evidence and feedback; supporting others in their continual learning, development and growth.
3. Innovation Leadership. Is good at creating an environment where ideas for learning initiatives and services are generated and is able to motivate and inspire others through the process of creation through to completion.
4. Outcome driven. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to exceed goals and is focused on KPIs.
5. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.
6. Community Focus. Is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our students and their families.
7. Integrity & Ethical Management. Has the ability to work ethically and with integrity; helps others feel valued; upholds and models the ISP Vision, Purpose and Principles.
8. Leading & Inspiring Others. Supports, encourages and inspires students, colleagues and teams so that they give their best.
9. Understanding People. Is a very good judge of talent, can objectively articulate the strengths and motivations of people inside or outside the organisation.
10. Influencing & Communication. Consistently informs, influences and inspires students, parents and colleagues through timely and effective communication.
11. Responds and adapts to changing circumstances; manages and solves problems by providing solutions in a climate of ambiguity.
12. Strategic, Commercial & Financial Awareness. Has the ability to apply understanding of the business and industry to improve effectiveness and profitability.
13. Planning & Decision Making. Makes decisions on the best course of action and then plans, organises, prioritises and balances resources to achieve the desired outcome.
14. Diversity & Equity. Has the sensitivity, awareness and skill to understand the values, behaviours, attitudes and practices across cultures that supports all children and adults to learn and work effectively.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP & Aspen Heights British School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.