Robert Gordon's College Head of Senior School
Robert Gordon's College
Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen
- Expired
- Salary:
- Competitive, commensurate with the seniority of the role.
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- August 2021
- Apply by:
- 14 December 2020
Job overview
ROBERT GORDON’S COLLEGE - HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
Robert Gordon’s College is a leading co-educational independent day school rooted in over 250 years of history, located in the heart of Aberdeen City. It is a 3-18 school with just under 1,600 pupils. It is a Scottish curriculum school which has impressive partnerships locally and internationally. There is an opportunity for an innovative and experienced individual to join the College as Head of Senior School, following the retirement of Mr Mike Elder, who has served the community superbly since 1994. The post becomes available from August 2021.
The school has a diverse pupil population with 37 different nationalities, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. Bursaries are very important, as is a clear commitment to maximising public benefit. The school’s motto ‘be all you can be’ demonstrates our desire to help pupils to shape their identity by taking part in an unparalleled range of subjects and activities.
The Head of Senior School holds a key leadership position within the College. They will ensure the smooth running of the Senior School, which currently has well over 1,000 pupils. The ideal candidate will be able to focus on operational detail and provide broader strategic thinking. Effective and confident use of digital technology is essential, as is the ability to communicate with multiple stakeholders.
Joining the College’s Leadership Team, the Head of Senior School will report to the Head of College and work alongside the Head of Junior School and Director of Finance. They also lead a team of Deputy Heads who make up the Senior School Leadership Team, who are responsible for setting the tone, values and ethos of Robert Gordon’s College.
The successful candidate will have relevant leadership experience in schools and must be eligible to be registered with the GTCS. Applicants should be familiar with the Professional Standards for Leadership, including critical engagement with literature, research and policy. A focus on wellbeing for all members of the community is essential.
A competitive salary, commensurate with the seniority of the role, as well as fee reduction for children enrolled at the school will be offered to the successful candidate. A relocation package will be available.
Interested candidates are invited to contact Robin Macpherson, Head of College, (email r.macpherson@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk) or tel: 01224 606112) for a confidential discussion. To apply please upload a video of 1- 2 minutes explaining your suitability for the role, by sending a downloadable link or via WeTransfer, together with a completed College application form (available at hr@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk) and CV if wished, to Ms Frances Winter, HR Manager, f.winter@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk by 10am on Monday 14 December 2020 . Please do not use the Apply Online function.
About Robert Gordon's College
Robert Gordon’s College is an independent, co-educational nursery and day school for children aged 3-18 years. It is a school community with a very strong sense of identity, built on our history and tradition of excellence in the city of Aberdeen, with beautiful countryside on its doorstep.
Community
Beyond the history and tradition, at Robert Gordon’s you will find an energy and youthful motivation that offers enthusiasm and effervescence for learning and culture. Our modern, professional learning environment is excellent, with a focus on sharing good practice in learning and teaching, on Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and on achieving the highest possible academic standards. We offer the opportunity to work with well motivated pupils where teaching and learning is at the heart of all our activities and ethos at the school. The extra-curricular life of the school is a crucial part of the pupils' experience and one in which all staff join enthusiastically. Above all, the ethos of the school is welcoming and positive, among staff, parents and pupils.
We are a friendly, purposeful and well-focused school, confident in our core business of advancing learning and teaching, while at the same time providing an enjoyable community life for its staff.
Robin Macpherson, Head of Robert Gordon’s College shares: “As Head of College, I’m very proud of our school. Our motto translates as “Be all you can be” - and it’s something that we use time and time again in conversations with pupils as they progress through school. We aim to equip and inspire young people for their futures. The whole community is passionate about sharing knowledge, sparking curiosity and inspiring pupils about their future. This is achieved through the extensive range of opportunities available. We’re a family school, and we want you to be happy and successful - in that order.”
Opportunity and Choice
Pupils follow the Scottish curriculum and from the earliest age children are used to active interdisciplinary learning in the class, building confidence through participation. Our new purpose-built Nursery for children aged 3–5 years old opened in August 2019 with specialist teaching in Art, Drama, French, Mandarin, Music and Physical Education. From Primary 1 the curriculum is enriched by specialist teaching in Art, Drama, French, Music, Physical Education and Science. In S1–S2, pupils study a wide range of subjects including all three sciences taught separately and three languages over the course of the two years. In S3–S4, pupils study eight National 5 courses; in S5, pupils choose from 24 Highers and S6 pupils choose from any combination of 32 Highers and 26 Advanced Highers, in addition to curriculum enhancement courses.
Innovation and forward thinking sit comfortably alongside over 250 years of tradition. Since 2009, over £31 million has been invested in facilities across the school to make sure that the classrooms want for nothing in terms of teaching and learning. Robert Gordon’s College represents the best of a traditional Scottish education, but is also a school looking towards the future.
Local school, global outreach
Robin Macpherson highlights: “We’re a local school that thinks globally. We have pupils from the city and the shire, and with Aberdeen’s position in the global energy sector, we’re proud to welcome families from international destinations each year. Diversity is a real strength of our community; 37 nationalities are represented within our school gates. Last year we spent £1.8 million on bursaries enabling pupils from across the north east region to join our senior school. This is a genuinely inclusive school and families from all walks of life contribute to our vibrant community.
“We’re keen that pupils develop their own sense of identity. We want them to discover who they are, and in turn what their place in the world is. We always look to challenge them, and help them to achieve things that they might not think possible. We want them to be brave and adventurous, with a particular focus on learning how to learn, so they can adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world.”
Critical thinking, mentoring and networking
Teamwork, communication and leadership are encouraged to prepare pupils for entering the world of work. Developing an entrepreneurial mindset enables pupils to leave school with confidence and the belief that they can make a positive impact in the world.
Robert Gordon’s College staff and pupils benefit from the experience of former pupils and our global network of partners across the world.
Explore
If you would like to learn more about joining the Robert Gordon’s College family please visit our website where you can explore our city centre campus in Aberdeen and 39 acre sports fields at Countesswells.
Keep up to date with the latest RGC news via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. RGC Sport is also on Twitter and Instagram, and RGC Art and Design is on Instagram.
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