Assistant Head - Academic

The British School of Barcelona, BSB City Luca

The British School of Barcelona (BSB) is a great school in a wonderful location. We are an HMC school and were judged by a recent BSO (British Schools Overseas) Inspection to be outstanding in every area, including quality of education, safeguarding, pupil welfare and academic outcomes.

Over 2000 pupils from more than 74 nationalities attend the school and over 315 staff work at BSB. We are based in three locations, two just outside the city of Barcelona – in Castelldefels, where we have a Primary, Secondary and Pre-University campus, and in the cosmopolitan town of Sitges, where we have another Primary campus. BSB City is in the heart of the city of Barcelona itself with a Foundation campus (built September 2021), and a brand-new main campus which opened in September 2023.

BSB City Secondary has a curriculum based on the English National Curriculum. There is a wide range of GCSEs offered followed by the International Baccalaureate Diploma in Years 12 and 13, all alongside a significant enrichment programme.

Barcelona is a wonderful place to live, combining an amazing city with beach and mountains nearby. The quality of life is excellent with a mild climate and year-round sunshine.

Assistant Head Teacher - Secondary

We are looking for a full-time, permanent Assistant Head Academic for our BSB City campus, to start in September 2025. 

This is a new position in a growing school, so the successful candidate will have an exciting opportunity to shape the role. However, there is an established team at Castelldefels who can offer considerable expertise and support.

All positions are offered with attractive packages including competitive salaries, places for children in BSB, and other local benefits.

Please note – A Batchelors Degree with QTS or International equivalent essential and relevant experience of teaching in the UK, or in an overseas British School, in Secondary School at all three key stages essential.Knowledge of IB desirable. We require our staff to be English-speaking teachers (native level-speaker level). This position is not suitable for newly qualified teachers.

All positions are offered with attractive packages including very competitive salaries, places for children in BSB, and other local benefits. Full induction and help with settling in Barcelona will be provided.

The Role 

We are looking for an Assistant Head Academic to work as a Secondary Teacher and have the additional following functions:

• Deputise for the Headteacher when necessary.

• Lead the development and implementation of identified strands within the School Improvement Plan.

• Contribute proactively to the smooth day-to-day operational running of the school.

• Contribute proactively to the strategic development of the school.

• Contribute towards the wider leadership of BSB, helping to deliver the whole school strategic priorities.You will be expected to do anything reasonable required by the Headteacher and Principal.

• Line-manage specified members of the academic leadership team.

• Lead regular reviews of curriculum delivery and assessment practices, ensuring alignment with school goals and the needs of diverse learners.

• Work closely with the Head of Secondary to ensure a coherent approach to teaching and learning.

• Ensure the school timetable is up-to-date and efficiently structured to meet the needs of students and staff.

• Use student performance data to inform targeted interventions and improvements in academic provision.

• Lead the quality assurance process for academic leads across the Secondary school.

• To ensure excellent communication with parents, students and staff on all issues concerning timetable, option choices and curriculum.

• Lead the academic mentoring and intervention process across year groups.

• Collaborate closely with the Personal Development (pastoral) leadership team to ensure academic mentoring integrates with students’ social, emotional, and behavioural support

• Chair weekly meetings of the academic leaders

Please note – A university degree with QTS or international equivalent is essential, as is relevant experience in secondary school at all three key stages. Knowledge of the IBDP is desirable. This position is not suitable for newly qualified teachers. 

What we can offer you: 

• A fantastic team of staff who are committed, supportive and collaborative.

• The wider support of BSB including access to high level CPD and wider future opportunities.

• The support of the Cognita network including cross-school collaborative learning partnerships.

Application Process:

Deadline for applications: 9am Friday 3rd January 2025 (Spanish time).

Interviews online during the week beginning 13th January 2025

Working with Cognita

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

Cognita is committed to preserving and promoting equality of opportunity in all aspects of the conduct of its business.

No member of staff or any applicant for employment with Cognita will be discriminated against, harassed or victimised because of their personal characteristics. Cognita expects all staff to comply with the letter and the spirit of its policy.