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Head of English

Head of English

Prince of Wales Island International School

Malaysia

  • Expired
Job type:
Full Time, Fixed Term
Apply by:
3 May 2016

Job overview

A committed, inspirational and dynamic teacher is sought to assume leadership of our successful and flourishing English department. We require an outstanding professional who has breadth of vision, creativity and energy who is dedicated to the teaching and learning of the English Secondary curriculum. POWIIS is a relatively new school that opened in September 2011 in Penang, and is now well established with a strong and growing reputation. The school places great emphasis on competence in English as the common language of the school, and the English Department works closely with the English as a Second Language specialists to ensure all enjoy the same depth of language experience as the majority who are first language speakers. The English department delivers a richness of English language and literature experience, which permeates the school.

The role would suit either an experienced Head of Department or a gifted teacher looking to take the next step in their career. The successful candidate will have a track record of high achievement, sound knowledge, and a love of the subject to inspire colleagues and which is communicated readily to enthusiastic and willing students.

All lessons take place in well-equipped facilities, with interactive whiteboards as standard. There is a dynamic staff culture at the school, with excellent professional development, and an emphasis on the use of IT in a blended and realistic educational environment, achieving the best outcomes with varied approaches.

Malaysian work permits are usually granted for two or three years. Contracts are therefore fixed term, but continuity is important for the school and so it is hoped that appointments will be seen as long term, with renewal of contracts common in the school. The school is proud of its staff stability, as most enjoy the lifestyle the region provides and the professional progression we actively promote.

Remuneration packages make possible a good standard of living and future planning for families as well as single appointees. Packages include health cover, contributions to EPF (Employees Provident Fund) and subsidised secondary education for children. To enable overseas nationals to transfer,
their package includes an overseas allowance, flights and housing or a housing allowance.

POWIIS is a boarding and day school that offers a full range of extra-curricular activities. Staff are expected to participate willingly in the wider aspects of school life and to develop their own interests as well as their professional skills.

There are openings for suitable candidates to look after boarding pupils as resident staff, which carries extra responsibility allowances.

This role is also advertised on the TES HireWire website. Please do not apply through the HireWire system.

Candidates should apply to the school directly at recruitment@powiis.edu.my sending a completed application form together with a brief letter of application and Curriculum Vitae.

We will acknowledge all applications and keep applicants informed; we enjoy a high level of interest in our vacancies, but your candidacy is very important to us. Resubmission by previously unsuccessful applicants is welcomed.
Applicants are invited to visit the school’s website www.powiis.edu.my

Closing Date: 4th May 2016
Start Date: September 2016

Attached documents

About Prince of Wales Island International School

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+60 8689999

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The Prince of Wales Island International School (POWIIS) is a co-educational day and boarding school (Years 7-13) modelled on the best of British independent and international education. We follow a curriculum based on the English National Curriculum in Years 7 to 9,  and offer IGCSE and A level for senior students. Attracting students from Penang, the whole of Malaysia as well as internationally, POWIIS currently welcomes around 400 students. We are not highly selective, and accept students with a broad spread of ability, but our cohorts include many very able students. Results at IGCSE, AS and A level are strong, and most leavers head to top universities in the UK, US, Australia or Asia.

Academics are only part of the story at POWIIS, however, and we offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, and every Friday afternoon is devoted to the POWIIS Project, where students select from a wide range of activities designed to enhance their global citizenship and develop their soft skills.  We also offer an enhanced programme for students who are part of our Arts Academy.

The outstanding facilities are located in the attractive rural location of Balik Pulau, on the island of Penang. Facilities at the school are second to none in Penang, and arguably in Malaysia. They include a substantial and developing library, a magnificent 500 seat natural acoustic auditorium with full backstage and technical facilities. Our Steinway D concert grand piano, a provision usually found only in professional venues, is indicative of our leading reputation in the performing arts. There is a multi-purpose sports hall, a 25 metre swimming pool, football and netball pitches, tennis courts, a fitness suite, art studios, and a design technology centre.

The senior staff are from leading schools internationally and many of the teachers have come from other top international schools or directly from the UK. We are seeking to recruit able and visionary teachers interested in supporting high standards in a friendly and relatively informal atmosphere, where contact with students extends well beyond the classroom.  One of the attractions for teachers is the quality of the students, most of whom are utterly delightful, many are talented and discipline problems are largely absent. The school has a very special atmosphere of purposeful and relaxed co-operation with excellent staff/student relationships.

Because of its beauty and gentle life-style, Penang is an attractive location for teachers at various stages of their careers. It is an excellent and safe place for families, but the comfortable standard of living and exotic travel opportunities will appeal to younger teachers as well as those at a more senior stage. The quality of life, for all, is very high, not least because of the warmth and generous hospitality of the people of Penang.

Part of the philosophy of the school is that subjects should be taught by specialists at all levels. Candidates for posts should therefore have good academic backgrounds themselves and be able to teach across the range from Year 7 through to A level. One of the great strengths of the school is that teachers have a whole range of interests themselves, enabling contributions beyond their subjects. Teachers are encouraged to follow their own enthusiasms within school and, indeed, to be seen to pursue their areas of interest outside. The school’s trips calendar is impressive, both within Malaysia and overseas.

POWIIS is a boarding school and consequently all teachers are expected to contribute to the wider aspects of boarding school life including occasional evening and weekend involvement on a rota basis. Experience of boarding education and independent schools is an advantage but by no means essential.

POWIIS is committed to the safety and well-being of all of its students. Those appointed will be subject to a thorough background check and must be able to provide up to date and full police checks/child protection certificates/criminal records disclosures covering all countries in which they have lived and/or worked for at least the last 10 years.

We do our best to acknowledge applications and to keep applicants informed, but the large number of applications sometimes makes this impossible, for which we apologise.

Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy.

Applications closed