Head of International Section

Nanwai King’s College School is one of two school development projects in China initiated through partnership between the highly successful Chinese education management group, Dipont Education, and the prestigious King’s College School, Wimbledon. A third partner in Wuxi is Nanjing Foreign Language School, one of China’s leading schools. At capacity, the whole school will serve over 3,100 students from 3 to 18 years of age.

About the School
The school opened in September 2018 and has 1350 pupils enrolled, remarkable numbers that are testament to the quality of the project, its exciting vision and the support of partners, parents and the wider community. Enrollment for September 2020 is set to increase substantially.

The facilities at Nanwai King’s College School Wuxi are outstanding. We have successfully developed an educational environment that makes the most of our world-class campus and combines the best of Chinese and western approaches to learning and academic excellence, in a context of first-rate pastoral support and opportunities to excel outside the classroom.

In a very short space in time, our students, who are mostly Chinese, have grown accustomed to the holistic style of education which is very different from the traditional offering at local schools.   They have shown real enjoyment in the inquiry-based pedagogy being employed. Every student is involved in co-curricular activities in areas of music and performing arts, service, sports or creative endeavors.

Our exceptional staff contribute significantly to the co-curricular programme, pastoral and house systems and demonstrate great commitment to the students in their care. An excellent CPD programme is available at the school that includes monthly professional development workshops on a range of topics, annual training days and access to external workshops.

The international school (one of four individual school sections) delivers a programme for expatriate students that prepares them for transition to IGCSE and A Level in the high school. Mandarin instruction encourages cross-cultural understanding and the shared pedagogical approach throughout the campus enables Chinese and expatriate students to benefit enormously from the cross-cultural exposure.

About the Role
Reporting to the Executive Principal, the successful applicant will lead Nanwai King’s College International School (catering for expatriate students only) from Grade 1 to Grade 8. Enrolment is currently at 150 students and will grow to 170 students in the next academic year. The curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum for Key Stages 1, 2 and 3. 

Our international school students have the opportunity to mix with students from their sister schools regularly. This happens through our daily vertical tutor groups from Grade 6 and up, weekly vertical tutor periods for Grades 1 to 5, the house system and through our mixed CCA activities each evening. Our pastoral coordinators promote monthly PSHE topics that are delivered through homeroom and tutor groups – these include topics such as organisational skills, anti-bullying and healthy lifestyles. A great advantage to international students is the opportunity to develop their Chinese language skills through Mandarin instruction and in their interactions with students beyond the classroom. 
As part of the whole school senior leadership team, the Head of International Section will work closely with the 3 other heads of schools and the SLT members responsible for co-curricular, pastoral care and boarding. As the section of the school most closely aligned with King’s College School, Wimbledon there is great opportunity for collaboration in the development of the international school’s ethos and programme delivery.  

About Wuxi
With a history dating back more than 3000 years, Wuxi is in one of the major cities Jiangsu province and located in the Yangtze River delta. Traditionally a canal town, it is a thriving city economically and developing further at a rapid pace with a resident population of around 6 million. Located only 45 minutes by train from Shanghai, it benefits from being part of the economic hub in East China but retains a sense of its long and rich history. The Taihu New City development is in Binhu District, an area that preserves the historic character of canal-front public spaces, lake scenery and open parkland with high quality residential, business, retail and recreational facilities. Local government has also moved to the Binhu District, and the city’s infrastructure, beautiful parks and recreational areas around the school are excellent and an easy place to live for families and single teachers alike.

Applications are invited from candidates with:

• Senior leadership experience in primary and/or middle years
• The ability to work collaboratively and contribute to the development of an outstanding school

This exciting and challenging role commands a very attractive salary and benefits package. In addition to a highly competitive salary, benefits include: high quality housing, annual return airfare, bonus scheme and medical insurance for employee plus dependents. Full tuition support will be provided for any successful applicant with school age children. The position will be offered on an initial three-year contract term with annual renewal thereafter.

Application process
To submit an application, please email a CV to Vanessa Cumbers, Recruitment Director: vanessa.cumbers@dipont.com or please contact Ms Cumbers for an information pack and informal discussion. Early application preferred.

Initial interviews will be conducted via Skype with in-person interviews for shortlisted candidates. For any applicants based in the UK and the Middle East, there is an opportunity to meet the Executive Principal at recruitment events in Abu Dhabi on the 6th/7th December and in London on the 14th December.
 
School website: www.nkcswx.cn