Principal

An unusual and distinctive opportunity to develop an existing school into a leading international school in a fast-growing part of Mexico City.

Colegio El Roble is a bilingual school in the attractive residential and commercial suburb of Interlomas, 18 km west of the centre of Mexico City. The school was opened in 2006 to serve both Mexican and international families. Thanks to becoming part of the Sendica Education group, and with the further support and resources of Affinitas Education, Colegio El Roble now has an opportunity to become the leading international school option locally and, in time, to build a reputation more widely in Mexico City and beyond.

An internationally experienced Principal is required to lead this transformation.

Colegio El Roble currently has 800 students, and the opening of a new High School building will increase the school’s capacity to 1,200. The new Principal will spearhead the school’s development into a genuine international school, building on the strengths of the Kindergarten and Elementary Schools, developing the distinctiveness of the Middle School and making it the high school of choice in the area. This will require a significant process of internationalising and raising standards, most likely involving the introduction of international curricula in the High School and, in due course, working towards international accreditation.

The support, experience and resources of the Sendica and Affinitas groups will help the school to grow and to develop excellent new facilities. The school’s development will be based on Sendica’s approach to education – igniting learning, inspiring growth and innovating thinking – but drawing in new and innovative practice from elsewhere and creating a genuinely internationally minded school. Like all Sendica schools, Colegio El Roble will also reflect its host community. It will be the Principal’s responsibility to shape the school to its distinctive local context, to remain alert to the developing expectations of local families, and to introduce international best practice and innovation.

The role will present a mix of exciting challenges and great opportunities. It could be described as a turnaround role, but that would be to underplay the commitment and quality of the existing school community. The Principal will therefore require a mix of tact, sensitivity and credibility to build trust in the community and to identify how strengths can be developed in the context of a transition to a more international school. It will require a leader who is passionate about building an international school in a national context and who has the confidence to know how best to draw on the breadth and depth of experience within the Sendica and Affinitas groups.

The successful candidate will have empathy with the culture of Mexico and almost certainly be a strong Spanish speaker.

The position is required for August 2023.

This recruitment process is being managed by RSAcademics Ltd on behalf of Affinitas Education and Sendica Education.

For a preliminary, confidential conversation about the role with Jean Sullivan, Head of International Search or Keith Clark, Head of International Leadership Appointments, please contact jeansullivan@rsacademics.com.

For further information about the role and details about how to apply, please visit www.rsacademics.com  

Closing date: Monday 3 April 2023 at 15:00 (UK)/09:00 (Mexico).

Sendica Education, Affinitas Education and Colegio El Roble are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Safeguarding and child protection issues will be discussed throughout the appointment process and candidates must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including reference checks with previous employers and criminal records and social media checks.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

The safeguarding responsibilities of the role are indicated in the candidate information brochure.

RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.