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Head of Secondary

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The Aquila School
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Date Added: Mar 13, 2024

Description

Head of Secondary

Purpose of Role

To share the leadership of the school to ensure it remains a successful, stimulating and inclusive learning community
To be accountable for ensuring that children are inspired, motivated and equipped to make as much progress with their learning as possible through real learning.
To work collaboratively with colleagues and families to make The Aquila School the school of choice within the community

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 and Health & Safety 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.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

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

About the school:

The Aquila School opened in September 2018, initially with only primary children, growing to become a mixed 3-18 through school in future years. The school is located in a residential area of Dubailand and focuses on providing children with amazing learning. We have grown very quickly and expect to have around 1300 pupils from FS1 to Y12 in the coming school year.

Teachers should be skilled at ensuring that children are actively learning throughout each lesson and ensuring that children make as much progress as possible and love coming to school.

Children and families love our school due to our focus on amazing learning and developing a sense of community and school connectedness. Teachers enjoy working here because they are genuinely empowered to teach the children what they need to learn right now.

The Aquila School is the first new build school designed and managed by The International Schools Partnerships (ISP) a comparatively new and rapidly growing organisation with schools in Europe, the Middle East, Mexico and the USA.

For all staff in school we share a responsibility to ensure that children are safe and properly supervised at all times. Our school vision statement is amazing learning- providing enjoyable and meaningful learning experiences for our pupils. All staff are expected to adhere to The Aquila Professional Code of Conduct and commit to promoting the 4 Cs courtesy, consideration, co-operation and common sense across the school community.

Key Responsibilities

To ensure children are safe and well cared for at all times
To plan and deliver creative and engaging lessons, ensuring that children are actively learning throughout each lesson and that every child makes as much progress as possible
To ensure effective communication and direct the work of others, as appropriate
To lead CAS activities, participating and leading staff training and contributing to the establishment and development of the school community
To comply with our agreed policies and Aquila Ways
To actively engage with our school community e.g. through newsletters, informal dialogue, reporting, supporting school functions and contributing to community and marketing activities
To actively participate in the performance management process of self and others
To be involved in improving learning across the school as a subject leader
Building relationships and showing credibility as a leader especially of teaching and learning
Ensuring outcomes for all children are as high as possible
Improving teaching especially for teachers who are not yet consistently good.
Making sure that the pathways and curriculum on offer for all year groups in secondaryare aligned with pupil interest, local requirements and the school budget
Ensuring the staffing and leadership structure is appropriate to enable us to raise standards and improve outcomes so that there can be a significant number of uplifts in the next DSIB inspection
To minimize the number of leaving pupils and to maximize the number of joiners working alongside the marketing and admissions team
To ensure a smooth transition into the new secondary building
To get to grips with The Aquila Way
To be visible and high profile.
To plan a proper INSET week for next and existing staff with a focus on raising standards
Further develop enrichment activities for the pupils and work with us to develop the calendar for the year
Lead on events such as sports evening, family workshops, presentations etc.
Make sure the SEF and SIPetc. is complete and up to date completed under yourguidance by members of your team.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential

Desirable

Qualified teacher status recognised in the UK

At least ten years teaching experience post qualification- which must include time spent teaching KS3/4/5 in the UK

Previous experience of a senior leadership position in a through school or secondary school (deputy or head teacher)

Clear understanding of the role- how to develop secondary while maintainingthe ethos of our school

Experience of improving standards and having high outcomes in external assessments

Experience of developing a curriculum for KS3, 4 and 5 and preparing children for life and learning beyond school

Experience of growing a school and maximizing re-enrollments

Willingness to work above and beyond to contribute to the development of a learning community

Ability to form and maintain professional working relationships with all members of the school community

Credibility as a leader of learning

Experience working in an international school in Dubai

Educational leadership qualification (MA/ED or NPQH)

Experience working in the UAE

Experience of BTEC/IB in KS5

To be able to teach in an enjoyable, creative, and inclusive way, promoting independence, so that every child makes as much progress as possible
To be an inspirational leader
To be able to contribute and lead on significant areas of school improvement and management
To be able to develop positive working relationships and gain the confidence and respect ofall members of the school community
To be incredibly well organised with an eye for detail and an ability to work quickly and accurately
To be able to use initiative, be flexible, fun, proactive and positive
To understand the importance and notion of one school
To be a credible leader with a wide range of secondary teaching and leadership experience
To be able to lead learning so that lessons across secondary are engaging and relevant, involve pupil choice and enable every child to make as much progress as possible and achieve high outcomes
To be able to plan and implement the future for secondary in our school to ensure the highest possible outcomes for pupils

Hours of work

Monday to Thursday: 7.20 am - 4.15 pm, Friday: 7.20 am - 12:00 pm.
Evening and weekend work will be required to support the academic and business needs of the school.
Holidays are as per the schools KHDA approved calendar, plus induction weeks/external examination results days as directed by the schools calendar.

Benefits-

A generous tax free salary
End of service gratuity
Staff under our sponsorship currently in the UAE-
Visa for employee
Housing allowance
Health care for employee and dependents
Annual flight allowance for employee
Two free places for children to attend The Aquila School under the assumption the school can meet their needs
Staff under our sponsorship not currently in the UAE also receive-

Flight into the UAE at start of contract and back to home country at end of contract

For the Head of Secondary post, there is no closing date as such but we advise you to apply quickly as we will interview and appoint when we find a suitable candidate.

ISP Leadership Competencies

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

1. Collaboration.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. Resilience.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. Agile.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 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, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.

Head of Secondary

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