Head of School

The International School of Madrid is seeking to appoint a Head of School from September 2024.

History of the School

Conveniently located in the Chamartín area of northern Madrid, ISM was founded in 1971 and is home to over 800 students, aged between 2 and 18. The school follows the English National Curriculum, with pupils in KS4 taking IGCSE examinations and pupils in KS5 studying for A-levels. Whilst many of the pupils are Spanish, over 40 nationalities are represented across the school. The academic level is high with our students regularly outperforming their international counterparts and with them having been awarded more than 90 Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards in recent years. However, what the school is most known for is its family atmosphere. The school continues to be privately owned by its founders. Our high levels of staff retention (9 years on average, but with many teachers at the school for 15 years or more) mean that we really know our children and their families well. Helping our students to become good citizens of the future is one of our highest priorities.

Location

The school is located across three sites - Primary, Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary - each a very short walking distance from the other. Each site has a head and deputy, as well as key stage coordinators. However, we operate very much as one through school, with continuity of procedure and approach throughout.

This role

We are looking, from September 2024, for a Head of School to take overall strategic responsibility for the whole school and to help ensure ever greater continuity between the three sites. The role would suit someone with previous experience of headship, with knowledge of the British curriculum and, preferably, of the international market.

Responsibilities will include: whole school leadership; strategic vision; communication and marketing; oversight of the quality of teaching and learning and of results and achievements; promotion of the highest levels of student behaviour; managing staffing and resources. 

The successful applicant will:

• Have a teaching qualification that is recognised in UK schools (such as a PGCE);
• Have experience of international as well as British schools;
• Have recent experience of leading a school that follows the British curriculum;
• Support the friendly and caring ethos of the school;
• Have a love of learning and passion for education.

In line with our safeguarding policy, all staff will be subject to enhanced background checks. All staff are required to have the ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and wellbeing of young children.

Those wishing to apply should complete the TES application form and also attach their CV and covering letter. The address for correspondence is: vacancies@internationalschoolofmadrid.com