Academic Director

The successful candidate is a master teacher with further studies and experience in curriculum design, assessment, the methodological approach of the International Baccalaureate or innovation at the school or wider systems level (state, county, regional). He/she must be a leader with exceptional interpersonal skills, bilingual (English-Spanish) and have an international outlook or personal life experience.

The Academic Director reports directly to the Headmaster, forms part of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and is in charge of leading and continuously developing a team of three Academic Coordinators, ten Heads of Department and the Head of the Inquiry Centres.

Craighouse School is a Chilean-British, private, PK-12 coeducational school located in a suburb of Santiago, Chile. We warmly welcome families, value open-mindedness, appreciate cultural and religious diversity and promote teamwork. Our family oriented Educational Project fully integrates the academic and formative areas so that each pupil reaches their full potential as a person.

Required for July 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter, the contract is initially for three years and includes an attractive compensation package at international level.

Letters of application together with Curriculum Vitae and contact details of three referees should be e-mailed to the Headmaster.

Closing date: 17th November.

The Academic Director is responsible:

In relation to the SMT and/or Board for:

• Providing the SMT and/or Board with insight into contemporary educational trends and best practices in order to enhance and advance the implementation of the school’s Educational Project in the academic domaine.
• Leading decision-making on academic matters within the Senior Management Team to enhance academic aspects of the school’s vision and mission.
• Participating in the elaboration of school-wide policies and their implementation to consistently support and promote student learning, and teachers’ professional development.

In relation to the Academic Domaine:

• Lead and supervise the team of Academic Coordinators to provide high quality pedagogical leadership throughout the school.
• Leading the Academic team in the following areas in particular:
• Curriculum design, planning and classroom implementation in accordance with the Educational Project and evolving understanding of best practice.
• Assessment policy and implementation; the analysis and use of assessment data to improve learning and the taking of pedagogically sound decisions.
• Methodological transformation to student-centered, inquiry based classrooms which cater to the diversity of students’ learning needs.
• Professional development to teachers on site.
• Priority setting, plans and oversight of off-site and on-line professional development activities
• Supporting the Academic Coordinators’ interactions with the IB in all respects, including 5-year self-assessment reports, visits and follow-up activities and feedback; likewise with the IB Association in Chile (ACHBI).
• Responsible for IB-Diploma results
• Structure and organise meetings to facilitate the implementation of the Strategic Plan by an increasingly synchronized team of academic leaders in the school.
• Provide orientation and leadership to Heads of Department as a group and on an individual basis in order that the Craighouse School curriculum is implemented in accordance with the philosophy and approach to teaching and learning of the school.
• Responsible for Year 12 PSU (Chilean university entrance exam), results.
• Budget and supervise the extra-curricular PSU preparation programme offered to Year 11 and 12 pupils. 

In relation to the assessment and research unit

• Lead the development of a specialized team of assessment professionals to aid teachers in the use evaluation information to advance pupils’ learning.

In relation to the Inquiry Centres

• Guide the development and evolution of two Inquiry Centres in order to service pupils’ learning in an effective and creative manner, as well as our staff and the wider school community.

5. In relation to external agencies: DEMRE-PSU SIMCE, SEPA, IB, MINEDUC, ASCD, etc.

• Keep abreast of and inform relevant school actors of announcements by external agencies that impact academic aspects of school life, including changes to the national curriculum or its requirements, the national testing system, its instruments and conditions.