Head of School

SCHOOL LEADER CANDIDATE
A newly opened international school in La Barra, Punta del Este, Uruguay, seeks a SCHOOL LEADER with experience of Early Years and Primary curriculum development as well as the administration of schools effective from August 2022 or as soon after as possible.

CONTEXT
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced educational leader with a strong interest in research-based, inquiry education preferably including the Early Years and Primary ages. It is a rare chance to join a well-funded, mission-driven, start-up, not-for-profit school with genuine and proven ambitions to re-invent international education.

Further school information can be found at this link , our webpage  and our Instagram profile .

THE POSITION

PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION
The school leader will report to the President of the Board initially and subsequently to a future Head of School for which the successful candidate may wish to apply.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
To take overall responsibility for the ongoing organizational planning, development and implementation of teaching and learning in the school. The leader will be an active ambassador for the school in the community and beyond. The leader may delegate significantly to a Deputy Head who is already in place leading the daily management of the school giving the candidate the opportunity to plan for the school’s future.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Curriculum

• Chair curriculum planning meetings and dedicated PD days throughout the year
• Provide leadership in the design and  implementation of the unique and innovative Early Years and Primary programme throughout the school. The curriculum framework is already in place and the leader will carry out the detailed planning
• Monitor overall academic standards, assessment principles, policies and practices
• Seek out appropriate technology support for learning within the Apple Distinguished School objective
• Ensure that all curriculum areas and interdisciplinary units are developed, delivered and assessed appropriately
• Ensure teaching and learning promotes the stated mission, vision, aims and philosophy of the school
• Co-create and monitor any agreed school action plan with the Board and Deputy Head

Futures planning

• Work alongside the Board of Directors and the Rosan Bosch Design team in planning our future growth to the new campus, planning the growth of the team and projecting how TGS grows from an Early Years and Primary school of 36 students towards one of around 120 in the next two years

Administration

• Liaise with the Deputy Head and School Administrator on admissions
• Oversee the creation and implementation of the annual budget and work collaboratively with the school accountant on income and expenditure
• Liaise with service providers of transport, catering and legal advice
• Oversee facilities improvements and maintenance
• Oversee the marketing and communications of the school at a high level with the Board and collaboratively at an operational level with the Team and partner agencies
• Work alongside the Technical Director, Legal Advisor and Administrator to meet the requirements of local agencies and the Ministry of Education

Students

• Ensure student academic and personal records are maintained by relevant personnel
• Liaise with the Inclusion Team and external experts to ensure the needs of students with SEN are being identified and met
• Ensure that there is an appropriate and varied programme of extra-curricular activities as organised by the Clubs Coordinator
• Meet with families of students as appropriate

Staff

• Alongside the Deputy Head, lead, supervise and support the professional staff
• Coordinate regular meetings to continually develop teaching and learning
• Organise professional development and in-service workshops
• Implement and develop an effective professional staff appraisal
• Lead the recruitment and hiring of staff

Communication

• Celebrate success and learning through overseeing weekly community newsletters, planning events and social media
• Effectively communicate the philosophy, goals, and practices of the school to the community through events, correspondence and documentation
• Liaise and work with the future Secondary School consultants to ensure curriculum alignment
• Meet regularly with individual staff and class pairs to discuss teaching and learning
• Report frequently to the Board of Governors

PERSON SPECIFICATION
The School Leader should:

• Have previous experience in a leadership position preferably within a Primary/Elementary School
• Have an open and critical mind to reinvent education for today and tomorrow’s world
• Have previous successful experiences preferably within an international educational environment
• Hold  advanced degree (Master-Doctorate) or demonstrable equivalent experience of personal and professional development
• Demonstrate strong leadership and excellent interpersonal skills with ability to enhance the collaboration and partnership between staff, students, parents and the wider community
• Be motivated to involve the whole school community in the management and development of the school
• Be sensitive towards, and familiar with, a diverse range of student learning needs
• Be sensitive towards cross-cultural issues and understanding preferably within the context of Latin America
• It is desirable to have an ability to understand and speak Spanish to a good level
• Be able to trust and empower a team within a flat structure
• To have proven ability to administer finance, admissions, physical and human resources and general administration of schools, either as a standalone Primary school or part of a wider Senior Leadership Team

SALARY & BENEFITS
A highly competitive salary paid in US dollars with a generous tax-free further flex benefit relocation package.
All applications and enquiries should be addressed to Bruno Varela, President of the Board, and the Founding Head of School, Andrew Atkinson.
Please send a full Curriculum Vitae along with the following documents - preferably in a single PDF document with the email subject heading ‘Application for TGS school leadership’.

• A Letter of Application explaining how your knowledge and experience matches the job description for the position
• A list of the e-mail addresses and mobile numbers of three professional referees, one of whom must be your current or latest line manager (referees will not be contacted until the candidate is informed)

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis throughout May and early June 2022, with ongoing virtual interviews promptly arranged. Early applications are encouraged. The deadline for applications is June 19th. Final candidates will be interviewed in June with the aim of making the appointment for an August start or as soon after as possible.
Please email applications to jacques@thegarzonschool.com