Director of Middle School
Start Date: 1st August 2024
The purpose of the Director of Middle School, European Section is to provide leadership through a clearly articulated vision for continuous improvement of teaching and learning. They are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the European Section Middle School and achieving and maintaining high-quality education and standards of learning for all students is the central goal. The Director of Middle School, European Section safeguards community involvement, engagement and well-being of students, parents, and teachers.
Strategic development and vision
• Contribute to and implement the strategic development of the school in accordance with GESS’ accrediting bodies and decisions made by SLT and SMT.
• Ensure all aspects of school performance are monitored and evaluated in a robust, cyclical manner.
• Develop and implement school policies and procedures.
• Contribute to innovation and change to improve teaching and learning practices across the school.
Student pastoral care and well-being
• Ensure that agreed standards of behaviour, such as the Code of Conduct, are communicated and implemented.
• Always ensure the maintenance of good order and discipline during the school day and whenever students are engaged in authorized school activities, whether on the school premises or elsewhere.
• Directly lead consequences or other outcomes for tier 3 behavioural issues.
• Ensure tier 1 and 2 behavioural issues are effectively management by staff.
• Support and lead initiatives that prevent poor behaviour and support student well-being.
• Build structures, systems and develop learning environments to ensure students are supported throughout their educational journey.
Curriculum and pedagogy
• Communicate and implement a clear vision for high-quality educational standards in accordance with school policies and procedures.
• Plan, lead, and document purposeful and efficient faculty meetings.
• Ensure subject and grade level team meetings occur regularly and are run effectively.
• Support the development of excellent academics, athletics, arts, and activities (clubs, CCAs, community service, trips, etc.) for students at GESS.
• Ensure excellent curriculum and pedagogical practices are implemented in every classroom.
Pedagogy
• In consensus with PLT, plan effective professional learning opportunities for every staff member to improve their teaching practice.
• In consensus with PLT, plan and implement key pedagogy developments (e.g., differentiation, learning objectives, formative assessment) to ensure the improvement and standardisation of effective, research based, teaching and learning practices.
• Implement a multi-tier support structure, to differentiate planning and instruction for the range of student abilities (support and extension).
Curriculum
• Ensure curriculum is developed and followed by teachers through the phases of planning, teaching, and assessment.
• Ensure appropriate student assessment and relevant data is tracked, recorded, analysed, communicated, and acted upon to enhance student learning.
Operational
• Ensure the effective day to day operations.
• Ensure all teachers are fulfilling their roles and responsibilities effectively.
• Deploy and manage all teaching staff and allocate duties according to their conditions of employment.
• Work closely with the Director of Marketing & Admissions to review and assess applications within agreed timeframes and in line with the admissions policy.
Staff
• Manage the appraisal, recruitment, and retention of staff in accordance with school policy.
• Ensure that teachers receive the information they need to carry out their professional duties effectively.
• Support leadership of the school to build capacity, recognize existing talents and encourage delegation.
• Ensure all Junior Level and Middle Level leadership positions are fulfilling their roles and responsibilities effectively.
• Challenge underperformance at all levels and put in place effective procedures to deal with underperforming staff in accordance with the school’s appraisal system.
Budget
• Submit any request as per GESS process and policy and according to academic operational budgets.
• With the Vice Principal and the Director of HR ensure staffing plans and recruitment remains on budget.
• With the Vice Principal ensure Professional Development plans are implemented and remain on budget.
Communication
• Ensure effective and timely communication with all members of the GESS community in accordance with policies, procedures and the Principal’s expectations.
Additional responsibilities
• All other responsibilities and tasks as deemed appropriate by SLT and the Line Manager
An experienced leader with the following key areas of knowledge and expertise:
• A high degree of fluency in English
• International school teaching and leadership experience
• Recognized teaching qualification (B.Ed or PGCE Equivalent)
• Educated to Degree Level, Masters (or equivalent) preferred
• Qualified Teacher status with a minimum of 10 years of teaching experience
• Proven leadership experience in a senior educational leadership role of minimum 5 years
• Proven ability to develop opportunities for parental involvement
• Good understanding of educational quality management and its role in relevance for the quality of performance in international schools
• Proven understanding of effective teaching and learning theory and practice
• A good understanding of the curriculum
• An excellent understanding of contemporary international educational policies and best practices
