Head of Senior School

Stonyhurst International School Penang

Stonyhurst International School, Penang is a coeducational day and boarding school for pupils from 3 years to 18 years from all religious denominations and secular belief systems. 

The school will be located in one of the most prestigious neighbourhoods on Penang Island with direct ocean frontage and featuring world class educational facilities.

Stonyhurst International School, Penang will offer a truly unique educational experience through our deeply personalised learning, coaching, advisory and counselling programmes. The organisational structure of our school will allow us to allocate children an individual learning coach and mentor that will guide them through their entire learning journey with us.

Students will be offered explicit opportunities to work alongside both older and younger students as part of their coaching group, developing a genuine sense of cohesion and friendship between our senior and junior students.

Our partnership with Stonyhurst College, United Kingdom allows us to provide unrivalled pathways into the very best universities worldwide.

Stonyhurst International School will open in September 2022 with an expected enrolment of 340 students from Nursery through to Year 9. Over the following years the school will expand to a maximum enrolment of approximately 1200 students.

The Senior School will be operating a phased opening starting with Year 7-9 in September 2022, we are expecting an initial enrolment of approximately 200 students in Years 7-9. The school will undertake a gradual expansion and plans to have all year groups from 7-13 operating by September 2024. At capacity, the Senior school will have approximately 500 day students and 200 boarders. 

The Senior School will follow the National Curriculum of England and Wales with the possible addition of Singapore Maths and plans to offer IGCSE and A Level qualifications, once the appropriate year groups are fully operational.

The Role

We are seeking to recruit a Head of Senior School to take on the role no later than July 2022. This individual will report to the Principal of Stonyhurst International School, Penang. We seek to recruit someone who has the expertise, innovation, maturity and drive needed to develop a thriving, stimulating and happy learning environment for all pupils.

This will be a highly rewarding and professionally challenging position; the Head of Senior School will support the Principal in the phased opening of the school and have overall responsibility for the line management of academic staff and development of the academic frameworks across the Senior School.

The Head of Senior School will ensure all programmes of teaching and learning have the Jesuit Pupil Profile at their centre and that instructional coaching methodology is embedded throughout the school at all levels. 

Initially this position will be classroom based in the Senior School depending on the teaching specialty of the successful candidate. It is envisaged as the school expands the Head of Senior School position will become non-classroom based. 

The successful candidate will be supportive of the Ignatian ethos of the school and of the founding school’s pedagogy and educational priorities. 

Personal Specification

Knowledge and experience

• A deep commitment to and understanding of inquiry-based learning and the concept of classrooms as learning laboratories 

• Demonstrate an understanding of and experience with instructional coaching frameworks

• Demonstratable ability to develop high quality academic programmes for all students

• A qualified and experienced classroom practitioner

• At least 3 years’ experience of successful academic leadership in high performing international or independent schools

• Experience of leading Cambridge academic programmes including IGCSE and A Level

• An understanding of and ability to implement academic frameworks across the Senior School

• A proven commitment to high standards and continuous improvement of teaching, learning and staff development

• An in-depth knowledge of current educational practices and issues as they relate to children aged 12 years to 18 years 

• Strong academic credentials

• Experience of creating a senior school timetable

• Knowledge of, and a commitment to, best practice in safeguarding the welfare of pupils.

In addition, the ideal candidate may have the following:

• Strong pedagogical understanding and knowledge

• Relevant postgraduate professional qualifications, with evidence of ongoing professional development.

• Experienced in the development of a new international school campus, preferably within a South East Asian context.

• Experience with school accreditation systems including the Council of International Schools and the Independent Schools Inspectorate.

• A high degree of cultural competency and experience developing relationships in an Asian setting.

• Excellent managerial skills and experience, with a responsive and flexible working style.

• Maturity of judgement, resilience, integrity, and personal presence.

Personal Attributes

• A collegiate and collaborative approach, combined with a willingness to work in a hands-on way.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills, as well as excellent written and oral communication skills.

• An outward-looking, open personality, showing diplomacy, persuasiveness and capability of inspiring trust in people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

• Personal charisma, dynamism, energy and enthusiasm, with the ability to motivate, influence and inspire staff, pupils and parents.

• A supportive leadership style which is personable, approachable and tactful.

• Ambassadorial skills and the ability to build relationships with a wide range of people.

• The ability to create a culture in which people can be creative and innovate, whilst respecting tradition.

• A focus on excellence.

• A commitment to the diverse needs of children, and an appreciation of the wide range of talents in a school community.

• Excellent judgement; clear, concise and able to make decisions.

• An understanding of and sympathy with the school’s Ignatian ethos.

Terms of Appointment

Salary

The position will be demanding and carry a great deal of responsibility. Consequently, the package available to successful candidates will be competitive and commensurate with the importance of the role and the successful candidate’s experience.

A housing allowance, or housing, will be provided for the successful applicant, along with medical insurance, airfares for the Head of Senior School, spouse and dependants and fees remission for up to two dependent children.

The post will be offered subject to satisfactory references, a medical examination and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

To Apply

Online applications should include an up to date Curriculum Vitae, a cover letter which outlines how you meet the personal and professional specifications required for the position and the contact details of three referees. 

Closing date

Applications will close on 27th November 2021 with interviews commencing the following week via Zoom. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.