Headteacher (Secondary Section)

Rainbow International School, Kampala is a 2 – 18 co-educational day and boarding school serving a mixture of expatriate and Ugandan families based in Kampala, Uganda. 

Rainbow is a well established International School following the English curriculum and is a member of COBIS – the Council of British International Schools. The school is also accredited by CIE, Pearson and the British Council for the delivery of IELTS. The Secondary Section follows the Cambridge IGCSE, AS, A Level as well as BTEC programmes,

This post becomes available due to the retirement of the current post holder who has given outstanding service to the school over many years. 

The school is a multicultural learning environment, with a student population of nearly 60 different nationalities. The staff body are an eclectic mix of Ugandan / East African, British and European. Standards and expectations in the Secondary section are high, and the main task of the person appointed will be to maintain and raise these standards. 

Examination results have been a strong point of the school over a number of years. The school consistently scores above world averages for IGCSE, AS and A level. Our Year 13 leavers gain entry into the top Universities across the world. 

Are you a leader, looking to join a forward thinking and progressive school? The successful applicant will play a vital role on the senior leadership team and will have the ability to further develop the Secondary section to provide the best opportunities for our students and staff.


Qualities sought:
•    Dedication to student success and the leadership skills required to improve their quality of education
•    The ability to inspire and lead a developing and dynamic school community
•    The skills and drive required to translate vision into action
•    Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly with multiple stakeholders
•    The drive, energy and willpower needed to develop effective systems and to ensure that they are successfully implemented
•    The ability to work in partnership with a leadership team as well as a team of teaching and support staff
•    Empathy with students, staff and parents, as well as with the values inherent in the local culture
•    Experience with the English National Curriculum
•    A commitment to international education and to the school’s inclusive and multicultural ethos.
•    A willingness to be involved in the life of the school community
•    A passion for education and a belief in the education of the whole child

Professional Qualifications and experience:
•    Experience as a Secondary Headteacher/Head of Secondary or Deputy Headteacher
•    Should have a recognised teaching qualification (e.g. Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a non-B.Ed. Bachelor’s degree together with a PGCE/PGDE) 
•    Should have a minimum of three years teaching experience, following the acquisition of a Bachelor of Education degree/PGCE/PGDE/QTS as well as school leadership experience of three or more years
•    Should have experience in the UK and/or overseas in a British curriculum school
•    A proven track record of successful school leadership
•    A range of teaching experience (preferably in international schools)
•    Familiarity with the National Curriculum of England and recent experience of curriculum development and planning
•    Experience working with students for whom English is not a first language
•    Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or as a Deputy DSL would be an added advantage

In return we can offer:
- Career development in a highly respected international school
- A firm commitment to you and your professional development
- Friendly, supportive, enthusiastic and hardworking colleagues, staff and school leaders
- Encouragement to develop new ideas and the opportunity to make a real difference
- Coaching and mentoring from the Senior Leadership Team
- CPD opportunities
- Support in moving to Kampala
- A healthy and enjoyable work/life balance
- An excellent saving scheme (NSSF) with 15% of your cumulative gross wage, released upon completion of your contract

The package:
•    Three year initial contract – renewable by mutual consent
•    Competitive salary
•    Medical insurance
•    Free furnished accommodation (within budget) for overseas hire
•    Annual flights for overseas hire

Apply through the TES application procedures. Attach an application letter and a detailed CV. In the CV, please include the names and contact details of three professional referees (recent & current Headteachers/Principals/Heads of School). 

Please disclose any convictions or cautions (if any) and a declaration that you are not barred from working with children.

All applications should be sent via the TES website.

Closing date: Tuesday, 25th November 2025
*Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to appoint prior to closing date for the right candidate. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For more information about the school please visit our website – https://risu.sc.ug/ and/or visit our Facebook page.

Rainbow International School Uganda is a safer recruitment school and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate child protection screening and rigorous background checks (including contacting previous employers). The successful candidate must possess a valid passport and will be asked for a recent International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC)/Interpol check and the equivalent police Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of current residence/employment, police checks from countries where the candidate has previously lived or worked, notarised copies of relevant academic documents, yellow fever vaccination card and a pre-employment fit for work certification (as well as any other documents that may be required for work permit application for non-Ugandans and any family members they may be relocating with).