Head of IBDP

Date:  23 Apr 2024

Location:  Warsaw, PL

Job ID:  2535

School:  The British School Warsaw

Company:  Nord Anglia Education

The British School Warsaw is a highly successful institution renowned for its dedicated and inspiring teaching professionals. Our primary curriculum encompasses the Early Years Foundation Stage, English National Curriculum, and International Primary Curriculum. In secondary, we offer the English National Curriculum for Key Stage 3, IGCSEs for Key Stage 4, and the IB Diploma Programme for Years 12 and 13. Situated in Warsaw, Poland, our non-selective day school delivers exceptional academic results surpassing UK national averages, with graduates gaining admission to prestigious global universities. Join our team of exceptional educators and contribute to our thriving community committed to educational excellence. Discover limitless opportunities at The British School Warsaw.

About the Role 

We are seeking a dynamic, passionate, enthusiastic and experienced IB educator to lead our IB Diploma Program. The Head of IBDP, assisted by a tightly need team comprising of Heads of Years 12 and 13, a University and Careers Guidance Counsellor and an IB Manager, is responsible for the day to day management and leadership of our IBDP program and associated programs for our year 12 and 13 students. We currently have a cohort of 145 students in years 12 and 13. In June 2023, our pass rate was 96% with an average point score of 34 and average grade of 5.3. We are very proud of the achievements of all our students, not least the 20% who achieved 40 or more points. 

Your skills, attributes and competencies 

You have a high level of personal integrity and professionalism. You are enthusiastic and passionate about international education, with an excellent understanding of UK practice. You are flexible and adaptable to the varied demands of working in a premier school. A natural leader, you can create and lead an outstanding and dynamic team. You are proactive in all aspects of school life, both through participation and support. You are creative and innovative, conscientious, reliable and respectful. You can work successfully under pressure, have excellent organisational and communication skills, and are able to take responsibility and be accountable for all aspects of the role. You are highly competent in technology use for teaching and administrative purposes.  

You create a classroom culture in which your students set ambitious targets for themselves. You seek out and use innovative teaching practices to enhance your students’ experiences and outcomes. Receptive to feedback and ready to embrace change, you are keen to share best practice with colleagues and peers and model what it is to be a lifelong learner. You have an excellent honours university degree in a subject relevant to those taught at TBS, a teaching qualification and a distinguished record of teaching in an English-speaking school environment. You have demonstrable leadership experience and a strong record of professional development. You will also be able to meet visa-related restrictions for working in Poland. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Support student’s learning in years 12 and 13 with the aim of ensuring they are provided with a programme that gives them the best possible chance of success in their studies at TBSW; 
• Line manage Heads of Years 12 and 13, the University and Careers Guidance Counsellor and the IB Manager; 
• Ensure that issues with year 12 and 13 behaviour and attendance are followed up upon. 
• Oversee the programme of preparation for, applications to and life in tertiary education; 
• Induct new IBDP teachers and ensure all staff are kept informed of, and have access to, all necessary, relevant and up to date information regarding the curriculum, delivery and assessment of the IBDP; 
• Ensure all IBDP teachers receive and remain up to date regarding IBDP training requirements; 
• Lead professional learning sessions that relate to the teaching of the IBDP; 
• Ensure compliance with all IB regulations; 
• Lead the IBDP coursework assessment and examination processes; 
• Oversee the delivery of the core components of the IBDP, either directly or through designated leadership; 
• Manage budgets associated with the IBDP, ensuring that the school’s resources are always best utilised; 
• Ensure IB student files are held securely and are kept up to date; 
• Assist with admission of students to years 12 and 13; 
• Promote the curriculum offered in years 12 and 13 to current and potential students and their families; 
• Lead the IB options process for year 11 students; 
• Ensure an enriching calendar of events for year 12 and 13 students, specifically taking a lead in the organisation of the year 13 graduation event; 
• Ensure year 12 and 13 students, their parents and staff are kept updated of deadlines, events and activities; 
• Lead a continuous process of reflection, evaluation and improvement planning in support of the IB 5-year review cycle. 

Other leadership responsibilities 

• Lead by example in all areas of school life, presenting a professional image in line with the high expectations of TBS; 
• Be a powerful role model for colleagues; 
• Contribute to and take a leadership role in aspects of the School’s Self Evaluation and Development Plan; 
• Publicly support the shared senior leadership vision, direction and decisions; 
• Positively and proactively participate in the School’s professional learning programme and performance management process, helping to lead these with energy, commitment and passion; 
• Ensure that positive student outcomes, safety and enjoyment are at the centre of all decision-making; 
• Create and develop a positive team atmosphere; 
• Lead in a collaborative and non-judgemental manner; 
• Hold regular, minuted meetings with all direct reports. 
• Actively lead and contribute to the School’s social media posts, publications, open days and other marketing events; 
• Oversee appropriate parental communication made by direct reports; 
• Attend and lead meetings and professional development opportunities; 
• Commit to personal professional development; 
• Attend and contribute to conferences as requested by the Principal; 
• Maintain close links and regular contact with professional bodies as well as local and international organisations appropriate to the role. 

Teaching and professional responsibilities 

• Be an ambassador for the School at all times; 
• Comply with all School policies; 
• Be aware of and comply with all policies relating to the safeguarding; 
• Undertake appropriate child protection training when required; 
• Follow up on all opportunities to foster the personal and social development of students; 
• Teach approximately a 50% teaching timetable; 
• Carry out active supervision duties as required; 
• Actively support the co-curricular life of the school; 
• Ensure that all communication, including with parents, is acted upon appropriately and in a timely manner; 
• Attend academic review days, assemblies, productions, sporting and other events as requested or expected; 
• Be in School prior to 8.00 am and until at least 4:00 pm; 
• Carry out any reasonable professional request made by the Principal or Head of Secondary.

At Nord Anglia Education we are committed to providing a world-class, safe, happy environment in which children and young people can thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils where we embrace all race, abilities, religions, genders, and cultures.

All post holders in regulated activity (having regular unsupervised contact with children) are subject to appropriate national and international vetting procedures including satisfactory criminal record checks from both your country of residence/birth and any country of residence within the last 10 years.

We welcome applications from suitable qualified persons from all diverse backgrounds.

Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to appoint before the published deadline for applications