Junior School Head

St Albans School, Gurgaon, India - Junior School Head

This is a uniquely exciting opportunity to be the first Head of Junior School of a new, premium, 3-18 school for Indian and expatriate children in the modern and vibrant city of Gurgaon.  The school will be the first member of the St Albans School group in Asia and the Middle East and, as such, the Head of Junior School will have a hugely important role to play in shaping the new school and supporting those which follow. 

The School is due to open in September 2018, initially with the Junior School and then growing up the age range to reach the target roll of 1200 students within 8 years. 

The School

One of the defining characteristics of St Albans School in the UK is its mission to provide both academic excellence and the development of moral and social responsibility amongst its students.  The school motto ‘Non Nobis Nati’ (born not for ourselves) reflects the principles of the school in promoting service as a balance to privilege.  This must be a particularly important feature of the new international schools which St Albans will set up, starting with St Albans in Gurgaon.

St Albans Gurgaon will not be academically selective, unlike the UK school.  The school will, therefore, give an excellent all-round education to all students, irrespective of their starting point.  The school’s mission will be to ensure that students make good progress in their academic and personal development, to show both increasing responsibility and independence in their own learning, and respect for each other and for the diversity of culture and heritage around them.

The Role

The Head of Junior School will be expected to work with the specialist team on the preparation for opening, taking a personal lead in the areas of staff and student recruitment and curriculum design. 

As the first Head of Junior School in India, for what may eventually be three schools, the post-holder will also play a part in helping to shape the overall curriculum and pedagogy for all St Albans Schools in India.

The successful candidate will report to the Executive Principal, who is being recruited concurrently, but will be expected to commence on site ahead of the Executive Principal.

The start date is January 2018, or sooner.

The Ideal Candidate

The Head of Junior School is expected to demonstrate a range of qualities, qualifications, skills and experience which will enable him or her to achieve what is set out in the Job Description within the context of this new school.  These should include experience of working happily and successfully:

• in a thriving and progressive educational setting;
• with a diverse student and staff body;
• in a new school before opening (experience of being part of opening a school or of being a Founding Head of a Junior School will be an advantage but is by no means a requirement);
• in Asia;
• in an international school;
• in a fast-moving environment.

Excellent interpersonal skills, including communication with a variety of audiences, diplomacy and persuasiveness in front of potential parents and pupils, are essential.  Strong decision-making and the ability to balance the need for careful risk analysis with expediency are also important.

In addition, the successful candidate is expected to have a successful track record as a teacher, to hold a good university degree and to show evidence of continuous professional development.

He or she will also have:

• a positive, can-do attitude and real determination to succeed;
• the gravitas to be an outstanding ambassador for the School;
• flexibility and adaptability;
• resilience and courage;
• the ability to combine a long-term vision with careful scrutiny of the day-to-day detail;
• a lightness of touch and a sense of humour;
• a deep interest in other people and a desire to create a strong team and a sense of unified purpose.

Remuneration and Reward

The salary and benefits package will be attractive.  Fees for the Head's children at the school will be free or, if appropriate, an allowance may be given for education at a suitable local school.  This will be discussed at interview.  The post will be employed locally by the School’s operating company and will initially be for a three year fixed term.

The Application Process

Full details about the application process can be found in the document entitled ‘Candidate Information’. 

Interested candidates are invited to contact one of the consultants handling this appointment by email or telephone to arrange a confidential discussion:

John Dunston, Senior Advisor
Tel: +44 (0)7796 173895; Email: johndunston@rsacademics.co.uk

Jean Sullivan, Search Consultant
Tel: +44 (0) 7885 879887 Email: jeansullivan@rsacademics.co.uk  

The deadline for receipt of applications is 10h00 (GMT) on 13 March 2017.

Candidates should submit a detailed CV and a short covering letter, explaining their motivation for the role.  Candidates who progress to interview will be required to complete an Application Form.

Please email your CV and letter, as a PDF, to recruitment@rsacademics.co.uk with “St Albans School Head of Junior School Application” as the subject of the email.

St Albans School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.  The post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) check, satisfactory references and a medical.