Headteacher

The Directorate is looking for a Headteacher with relevant UK or British international school experience to take over the leadership of the school in summer 2019. 

THE SCHOOL

The British Georgian Academy was founded in 2006. Currently the school has 450 students, most of whom are Georgian. The school currently undergoing a strategic review of its vision, curriculum and teaching model. The aim of this review is to establish a bilingual teaching model across the school (Georgian and English) and combine the best aspects of the Georgian National Curriculum with aspects of British and international school curricula. These will or could include such programmes as IPC, IMYC, IGCSE, and IELTs and SAT preparation. As an equally important aspect of the new vision and direction of the school, the holistic education of students at all ages should be enhanced through pastoral care, leadership development opportunities, extra-curricular challenge, etc… Further to this the school wishes to be seen as a centre of professional development for its teaching staff who are presently all Georgians

The school shares a campus with the British International School of Tbilisi (BIST) which caters for the international community and is staffed by mostly British teachers. The two schools occupy a spacious, modern, purpose-built campus which is situated next to a natural lake on the hills overlooking the city of Tbilisi. The state-of-the art facilities incorporate many important features that support innovative teaching and learning in the 21st century. The well-resourced classrooms are arranged around an internal courtyard, to accommodate a dynamic learning environment. Specialist learning spaces include science laboratories, an ICT suite a performing arts suite, and multiple open spaces for both group work and individual study. The well-equipped ICT infrastructure, including computers and interactive whiteboards in all classrooms, enriches teaching and learning, and ensures that students are well-prepared to engage with the information and communication technologies of the modern world. The two schools share a spacious Atrium for assemblies and events, a Discovery Centre library, and extensive sports and outdoor play facilities including a swimming pool, football and basketball pitches. Children and staff from both schools enjoy their meals in our colourful Lakeview Café with panoramic views of Lisi Lake and the surrounding hills. A wide variety of optional after-school activities is offered to students suiting all interests, from sports to science, crafts to computing. Children also get the chance to showcase their skills: singing, dancing and acting in school drama performances and concerts; showing off their maths and science knowledge during subject fairs; competing in local and inter-school sports tournaments; and engaging in arts, debating and computing as part of an active after-school programme. The school’s proximity to Lisi Lake offers the school an amazing resource which is used for multiple sports activities and outdoor learning opportunities, such as orienteering, studying geography and science topics, writing projects, art activities and learning about animal welfare at the local dog shelter. Generally the school benefits from Georgia’s beautiful and varied countryside, with its mountains, coastal regions, and valleys, which lends itself to ski camps, leadership and confidence camps, and other excursions into nature. All children are given the opportunity to participate in a range of off-site field trips and activities that broaden their experience.
More detailed information can be found in Georgian on the school’s website www.bga.ge. The facilities of both schools and information about BIST can be found at www.bist.ge.

B. HEADTEACHER’S RESPONSIBILITIES

The Headteacher has overall responsibility for leading the school in all areas of its operation, including curriculum, instruction and assessment, as well as for managing all administrative tasks related to the smooth running of the school and the nurturing of a happy and effective educational community. The Headteacher will manage a leadership team made up initially of a Georgian Principal and Vice Principal. The Headteacher will be responsible to the school’s Directorate who include the Director of BGA and BIST, the Financial Director of BGA and BIST and the Principal of BIST. The latter offering day-to-day support and guidance.

Generally, the Headteacher is responsible and accountable for helping children achieve their full potential, by providing education of continually improving standards and contributing to the delivery of excellent services for children. This is achieved through the Headteacher’s personal excellence as a role model in teaching, learning and assessment; leadership and management; support for the achievement and well-being of children as diverse individuals; relationships with children and their families; team-working and collaboration with colleagues in the school; continuing professional development, and support for colleagues’ development.

Specific responsibilities of the Headteacher include oversight of the planning, implementation and evaluation of the school’s curriculum and assessment strategies including the ongoing curriculum review. The role also includes documentation of performance standards and implementation of the school instructional programme.  The headteacher is responsible for the recruitment, professional development and performance management of staff. The wellbeing of all students academically and pastorally is a key responsibility. Liaison with parents and the wider community should be developed by the Headteacher.

C. THE HEADTEACHER – PERSON SPECIFICATION

Candidates must be graduates with appropriate academic qualifications and with successful school leadership experience (preferably, but not necessarily, to Head of School level), including international experience.

Desired qualities and experience: 

• Ability to provide effective leadership in a school community of a different culture – specifically, a personal track record of excellence in academic, pastoral and extra-curricular matters and the ability to take a hands-on approach to driving forward student-centred improvements in all three areas.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication (both private and public) skills  
• Ability to recruit, guide, monitor and motivate staff members  
• Excellent planning, problem solving, time management and organisational skills  
• Cross-cultural openness, understanding and sensitivity  
• Capacity to develop a safe, secure and nurturing learning community  
• Knowledge and understanding of current developments in education  
• Commitment to ongoing self-education and staff professional development  
• Strong work ethic.
  

Desired personal characteristics: 

• Strong moral and ethical code  
• Passionate commitment to quality education  
• Energetic and enthusiastic  
• Friendly and approachable  
• Good sense of humour  
• Innovative and willing to learn  
• Good team player, good team builder  
• Temperamentally steady, especially in challenging situations
• Above all, the determination and resilience to lead the school towards its new vision.

D. REMUNERATION

The salary and benefits package will be attractive, and commensurate with the qualifications and previous experience of the successful candidate. It is expected to include:

• A competitive salary.  
• Rent-free, furnished accommodation.  
• Medical insurance for the Principal, the Principal’s spouse/partner and children up to age 18  
• Annual return economy flights to/from home country for the Principal, the Principal’s partner and children up to age 18.  
• Free tuition at BIST for any children of the Principal up to age 18.

E. THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Suitably qualified candidates should send to the BIST recruitment officer - recruitment@bist.ge - all the items below as an email attachment (to arrive as soon as possible, and no later than 15th April 2019).

• Application form (please download a BIST application form from the BIST website).
• Letter of application (no more than one page), briefly outlining why the candidate wishes to apply for this position and what specific skills, qualities and experience he/she can offer.
• Statement of educational and leadership philosophy (no more than one page).  
• Names and full contact details of at least three professional referees (one of which should if possible be the leader of the applicant’s current organisation).  
• Good quality recent head-and-shoulders photograph.

Interviews are scheduled to take place during April 2019, with the final round in Tbilisi. However, BGA reserves the option to invite selected candidates to interviews in advance of this schedule. Closing date: 15th April 2019.