Head of Senior School

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Overview

The Head of Senior School reports directly to the Headmaster and is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the Senior School. The Head of Senior School is also expected to contribute to the strategic leadership of the school, including the school self-evaluation process, and to be aware of the requirements for the periodic inspections (as part of the UK Government’s British Schools Overseas scheme). (S)he is a member of whole school leadership groups that include the Headmaster, General Manager, Head of Junior School, Director of Educational Technology, Head of safeguarding & Wellbeing, Director of Marketing and Admissions and the Director of HR. The St. Paul’s Leadership Group are the strategic leadership of the school and work closely with the Board of Governors.

Leadership

The Head of Senior is a key role in the school and should support the Headmaster in providing excellent leadership. The Head of Senior should set the highest standards for collaboration, innovation and excellence in the school, by embracing the school´s mission and values and by working as a champion for change and further school improvement. The Head of Senior will be an excellent teacher, leading by example, an insightful and dedicated leader and someone who embodies the values of our school. (S)he will work in close collaboration with the Head of Junior School to ensure the continuity of academic and pastoral excellence throughout the school.

Main Responsibilities

This list is not exhaustive; it is indicative of the scope of the role. As this is a new post with the management structure of the school, aspects of the role will evolve over time.

Senior School Pupil Development

• Provide a secure, stimulating and orderly Senior School environment in which pupils’ happiness, welfare, academic excellence and all-round development can be nurtured and are central to teaching and learning
• Leading the SLT (Senior Leadership Team) to provide continuous and consistent development and improvement of Senior pupils’ moral, spiritual, physical and social development
• Working with the Headmaster and the Assistant Head Pastoral in promoting positive pupil behaviour and effective systems and rewards
• Working with the Headmaster and Assistant Head Teaching and Learning and Assistant Head Curriculum to promote a challenging, broad, balanced and innovative Senior School curriculum to cater for pupils’ strengths, and needs
• Help to ensure a smooth transition for pupils as they move from the Junior School and into the Sixth Form and onto life beyond St Paul’s
• Working with the Enrichment lead to ensure a wide range of activities for pupils and to give them confidence in their ability to take on new challenges
• Working with the Head of Junior School to prepare the whole school for inspections
• Working with the Head of Outdoor Learning and Sustainability to develop the best environment for our community

Pupil safety and parental relations

• Responsible for the safety and general welfare of Senior School pupils
• Promote and support safeguarding procedures and very best practice in the Senior School, undertake appropriate and regular child protection and safer recruitment training
• Work with the school’s Registrar and the Brazilian official Director to ensure that pupil records are maintained in accordance with Brazilian legislation
• Provide regular and appropriate reports to parents on academic and social development
• Ensure that positive communication is maintained with parents through managing their direct concerns and overseeing reports, parent-teacher meetings, workshops, letters, parent portal and other less formal opportunities
• Support the entry process for all new families who have applied for entry into the school and following the admissions policies laid down by the Board of Governors

Management and leadership of staff and resources

• Attending and contributing to the weekly meetings of the school leadership groups, representing the considerations that pertain to the Senior School and focusing on the strategic direction of the entire school.
• Lead the SLT (Senior Leadership Team) and facilitate the leadership group dynamics, making the most of each member's experience and capabilities and nurturing a collaborative way of working.
• Chairing the weekly SLT meetings – ensuring that agendas are focused and appropriate to the strategic priorities of the Senior School; checking minutes of these meetings and ensuring that the action log is kept up to date.
• Ensure the efficient management of available resources and budget
• Be responsible for the organisation and delivery of Senior School specific events such as shows, concerts, workshops, sports galas, etc. and oversee the school calendar
• Support the recruitment of new staff in the Senior School and oversee their induction and mentoring.
• Manage and ensure the implementation of staff performance review and development.

Any other tasks that may, from time to time, be required by the Head.

The Head of Senior School will teach a reduced timetable.

Start date is expected to be in August 2026.

Requirements

• Articulate and creative with excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Flexible in attitude and approach, able to work at a strategic level and in a hands-on capacity;
• Educated to graduate level and professional in outlook and conduct;
• Ambitious and innovative with a strategic outlook and the ability to manage and prioritise workstreams;
• Able to keep calm and retain a sense of humour, especially in a tight spot;
• Approachable to both parents and pupils;
• Resilient, cheerful and well-organised;
• Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
• Possesses an excellent level of attention to detail and precision;
• Competent with technology as a management, teaching and learning tool;
• An understanding of budgeting principles and restraints;
• Experience of appropriate inspection frameworks including regulatory standards (e.g. BSO, ISI, Ofsted);
• Ability to work effectively with others in small teams, liaising effectively with staff, parents, pupils, governors and others;
• A bilingual English/Portuguese speaker would be preferred but is not essential.

• Director

• Full-time

• Education and Training

• Book and Periodical Publishing

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