Head of Primary School

General Accountability Statement:

As the leading professional in the Primary School, The Head of Primary, is responsible in shaping a vision of academic excellence for all primary students at Amity International School, Amsterdam.

Major responsibilities include creating a climate which is dynamic, focused and promotes exciting rich student engagement.

This role has a focus on improving learning and teaching, successfully managing the primary team (including specialists), termly data analysis which fosters school improvement and builds academic achievement for all students and enables all to flourish and make a positive difference, developing policies and practices, ensuring resources are efficiently and effectively used to achieve the school’s aims and objectives and the day-to-day management, organization and administration of the school.

The Head of Primary School is responsible for the education and welfare of all students from EY1 (3 years old) to PY5 (11 years old) and has oversight of the After School Care and Summer Camp provision.

Duties & Responsibilities 

 Provide Effective Leadership

·        Build an effective and engaging PYP curriculum that enriches students learning and promotes global citizenship within the school’s international setting and in accordance with Amity values. 

·        Ensure that the PYP model of learning is fully embedded across all aspects of the school. 

·        Ensure compliance of accreditation bodies i.e. IB, CIS …

·        Ensure that the IB learner profile is fully embedded in all aspects and subjects in the school. 

·        Supervise the instructional programs of the school, evaluating lesson plans and observing classes on a regular basis to encourage the use of a variety of teaching strategies and materials consistent with research on learning and child growth and development. 

·       Devise and develop the Primary School Development Plan (PSDP) through an effective partnership with staff and which is in line with Amity Aims and Values. 

·        Implement and monitor progress of the PSDP. 

·        Implement and monitor progress of the school’s performance development cycle. 

·        Manage the Primary Curriculum Budget across all aspects that have been delegated by the Principal. 

·        Active involvement in planning and execution of strategic plans for the long-term success of Amity in Amsterdam.

·        Promote high standards of academic performance, equality, and high expectations for all students. 

·        A positive behaviour management approach that is supportive and sets high expectations for all children.

·        Ensure that child Protection and Safeguarding is top of the agenda, liaising with the Dutch authorities and reporting to the principal on a regular basis so as to protect children.  

·        Maintain the Primary School Child Protection Register documentation. 

·        A strong commitment to personal and professional development.

·        Develop the staffing plan for the Primary School in partnership with the Principal.  

Recruit high quality Educational Staff as well as decision regarding contract extensions.

·        Undertake rigorous self-evaluation of the school’s academic systems, processes, and outcomes. 

 People Engagement 

 ·        Establish a professional rapport with students and with staff that gains their respect. 

·        Display the highest ethical and professional behaviour and standards when working with students, parents and school personnel.  

·        Serve as a role model for students and staff, dressing professionally, demonstrating the importance and relevance of learning, accepting responsibility, and demonstrating pride in the education profession. 

·        Use effective presentation skills when addressing students, staff, parents, and the community including appropriate vocabulary and examples, clear and legible visuals and articulate and audible speech. 

·        Devise and develop a regular programme of professional staff enrichment that reflects the School Development priorities, current research and the essential tenets of the PYP IB Curriculum requirements. 

·        Complete in a timely fashion all records and reports as requested by the Principal. 

·        Communicate with the Principal regularly about the needs, successes, and academic aspects of the primary school. 

·        Work effectively with middle leaders and specialist team to innovate new concepts in school. 

  Communication and Community Relations 

 ·        Present a series of open evenings, coffee mornings and events for primary families 

·        Focus on implementing and achieving high levels of student academic performance benchmarked against IB PYP international standards and present this data to parents through curriculum workshops. 

·        Plan for effective data collection and analysis to support future learning and to ensure school reports are accurate in reflecting a student’s personal strengths and targets. 

·        Work alongside the Principal to ensure that the school is compliant with any local regulations and requirements. 

·        Promote international mindedness.