Senior School Principal

THE SCHOOL

The International School of Düsseldorf (ISD) is a well-established, not-for-profit, forward looking, K-12 IB World School (PYP, MYP, DP), in one of the most desirable locations in Europe. We are an international community of learners who work together to inspire our students to be confident, creative and critical thinkers. The school is accredited by both the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and is about to enter into its 50th year of providing excellent educational practices for its entire community.

VISION

Leading innovation in learning for a better world: Our goal is to deliver an outstanding education that prepares our students to be successful and inspires them to make a difference; an education that will equip them with the skills and aptitudes to tackle the global challenges they will face.

We have focused our vision around how we can provide every ISD child with access to success and the support needed to meet their personal needs and interests.

AN EXCITING PLACE TO WORK AND LEARN

We value creativity, willingness to challenge assumptions and research-led practice, so we offer teachers outstanding opportunities to develop their professional knowledge and skills. The best professional development happens in the classroom so we provide teachers with support to investigate new ideas and techniques, try them out, and to share their learning and experiences with colleagues. Each member of faculty has an annual personal professional development allowance as well as additional financial support for IB programme training.

DESIRABLE LOCATION

ISD is a very attractive location whether you are interested in an international adventure or settling longer term. Düsseldorf is a bustling Rheine metropolis in the heart of Europe. We are in the charming and historic suburb of Kaiserswerth with excellent transport connections: ten minutes from the airport, 20 minutes by tram from the main station and at the centre of one of the best developed motorway systems in Europe. Germany has a strong economy and stable government, and Düsseldorf is a safe city well endowed with cultural institutions, some of the best shopping in Europe, and a plethora of restaurants to suit all pockets and tastes.

WE ARE AN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS

Internationalism at ISD means demonstrating the open-mindedness, flexibility and curiosity which enables us to appreciate not only our many differences, but also our common humanity. We strive to overcome barriers and use our gained understanding to care for each other and to cooperate for the common good.

The strong working relationships among teachers and between teachers and students are among our most valued assets. The school has approximately 1100 enrolled students. Currently, the Senior School has 695 students representing over 50 nationalities among staff and students. There are approximately 110 members of staff (academic and support) within the senior school section.

ISD EDUCATIONAL PRINCIPLES

We believe in

• working together as a community of learners
• the ideals of internationalism and respect for individualism & diversity
• every child/everyone having access to success in a caring & supportive environment
• developing lifelong autonomous learners
• inspiring curiosity, innovation and creativity

OUR LEARNING PRINCIPLES

We believe that

Learning happens best when all participants form positive relationships, set high expectations for their learning and feel secure in taking risks

Learning is most effective when the participants are inquisitive, active, and engaged in authentic learning tasks; when learners collaborate, evaluate their own thinking and have opportunities to act on feedback

The learning process results in constructing new understanding and leads to action

THE POSITION

The Principal of the Senior School will provide professional leadership and administration to motivate the performance of instructional and support personnel in order to provide the best possible opportunities for student growth and development, both educationally and personally.

The Principal will foster a holistic, forward-thinking, creative learning environment by providing visionary leadership in a collaborative manner.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL QUALITIES

The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes:

• Demonstrated high level of engagement in international education and a demonstrated commitment to innovation
• Commitment to the ISD’s education and learning principles and the values that underpin them
• Passion, energy, optimism, the ability to make things happen, and a genuine interest in and commitment to serving students and parents
• Outstanding leadership qualities and experience with the capacity to inspire staff and the wider community
• Ability to build an inclusive community of students, parents and professional staff in a multicultural environment
• Deep experience in recruiting, developing and appraising high quality teaching staff
• An excellent record in organisational management and leadership with demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, financial management and curriculum development
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and strong organizational and time management skills
• Deep understanding of international curriculum (such as the International Baccalaureate) and its implementation

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

The salary for the Senior School Principal is commensurate with the responsibilities of the position and is competitive. The position includes German mandatory medical insurance coverage for the principal, spouse and qualifying dependents 18 years or under who reside with the principal full time. In addition, the school offers a retirement contribution, professional development allowance, biannual home allowance and a relocation allowance and flights.

The initial contract will be two years with an option to extend beyond the initial contract. Salary and benefits for this post are competitive and will be commensurate with the responsibilities of this prestigious position.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The International School of Dusseldorf (ISD) has selected CIS to assist in this search process. Candidates should note, however, that the search committee will begin reviewing applications as soon as they are received. In the event that an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process, ISD reserves the right to make an appointment before the deadline. For this reason, it is recommended that interested candidates apply as soon as possible.

Candidates should send the information requested below, in a single PDF attachment not to exceed 6MB.

A letter of application, no longer than two pages, explaining your strengths as a candidate and why you are interested in the Senior School Principal position at ISD

A current CV/résumé not to exceed two pages

A one or two-page personal statement outlining your educational beliefs and your philosophy of leadership

A one-page list of references with accurate and current contact details, including position, phone number and e-mail address

Applications should be submitted to: Pauline O’Brien, Director of Career & Recruitment Services: paulineobrien@cois.org.

Final interviews will take place in Düsseldorf over a period of two days in April or May.

APPLICATION DEADLINE Friday 16 March 2018

WEBSITE http://www.isdedu.de

Aligned with the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection, we hold ourselves to a higher standard of effective recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection.