Head of Boarding

Child protection

 

All ISA Schools are committed to the safeguarding and well-being of all children and young adults under our duty of care. All staff in ISA schools share this same commitment and, to this end, pre-employment background checks are performed before any appointment is confirmed.

 

Qualification and Experience

 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• A teaching qualification recognized by the Chinese Visa Authority
• At least two years’ experience of teaching under a concept-based approach
• Experience Leading in an International Boarding School
• Experience working with Positive Psychology and vast experience in student pastoral care and wellbeing
• Evidence of continued professional development
• IB experience is desirable
• Pass all the school’s normal safeguarding checks: acceptable police checks (or equivalent) from the country of origin and from all other countries in which the applicant has worked and appropriate references from a current and previous employer, corroborated by personal phone calls made to each referee

 

Description of the Role

 

This leadership position oversees the planning, launch and development of the outstanding boarding programme offered by ISA Liwan International School. As a member of the Leadership Team, the Head of Boarding will be the integral leader of the overall development of boarding in this leading international school, working closely with leaders across all functions and departments. As a seven-day boarding programme, the Head of Boarding will be required to take responsibilities during weekends in rotation with the Deputy Head of Boarding and other boarding staff.

 

The Head of Boarding will oversee all elements of the boarding programme, policies and procedures, staffing, cocurricular and extracurricular programmes and strategic development of our world-leading boarding school in the Chinese context.

 

The ideal candidate will be a highly experienced education leader, with considerable Boarding School experience, and a demonstrated passion and eagerness for the start-up school context.

 

Role Responsibilities

 

Leadership

 

• To oversee the day-to-day operations of a highly effective, safe, and enjoyable Pastoral Care system in the boarding house and aligned with the expectations across the entire school
• To oversee the day-to-day operations of a safe, enjoyable Boarding House
• Operational elements, including supporting the development of the timetabling, cocurriculum development and delivery, facility management, and all additional programmes that are appropriate for a world-leading boarding school
• To provide on the job training and development, setting realistic targets to enable the staff to achieve their objectives, providing support and evaluating staff performance
• To ensure the effective allocation of educational and human resources in the boarding house including allocating duties to boarding staff
• To work with the Deputy Head of the School (Pastoral Care & Boarding), Head of Pastoral Care and Finance department to develop and manage the annual budget for the Pastoral Care programme in including boarding
• To select, lead and manage the Boarding staff, ensuring that the School’s expectations regarding services and exceptional standards are delivered by every staff member in the Boarding House every day
• To adopt a hands-on approach to promote the highest levels of communication with students, school staff as well as the parents
• Actively communicate to parents and the school community through regular newsletters and boarding announcements celebrating the successes of boarding students
• To be involved actively in the broader programmes offered by the School
• In partnership with the Deputy Head of School and Head of Pastoral Care, to refine the School’s strategic plan specifically for the Boarding House, and drive excellence through following a clear pathway of agreed milestones
• In partnership with the Senior Leadership Team, to provide collaborative and engaged leadership beyond the Boarding House to support the overall aspirations and development plans of ISA Liwan International School
• To contribute to the School’s webpage or Intranet
• Lead by example in the boarding house by being actively present during duty and other times throughout the week and during weekends
• To set and maintain high standards of service throughout the School
• Support ISA School initiatives, including the ISA High School Transition Week and Summer School

 

Professionalism

 

• To maintain a commitment to professional ethics, international mindedness, and the School’s misson and core values, and take responsibility for professional learning that results in enhanced student learning
• To be a positive representative in the community by reflecting the values of the Guiding Statements (mission, vision and core values)
• To support and uphold all of the School’s policies
• To collaborate positively and communicate effectively and appropriately within the School community
• Where appropriate, to participate as required in the preparation for IB authorisation and evaluation, as well as for accreditation visits for international accrediting bodies such as Cognia and CIS.
• To perform ad hoc tasks as directed by the Head of the School

 

Team Management

 

• To collaborate with the senior leadership team to develop and implement professional growth and development models (appraisal and PD)
• To participate in the selection and appointment of staff as guided by the Deputy Head of the School and Head of Pastoral Care
• To support and develop pastoral care support systems and mechanisms to align policies, procedures and practices for both day students and boarders
• To liaise with and support the admissions department with regard to new student applications
• To assist and develop the marketing of the school in coordination with the marketing department
• To coordinate and lead whole school events and parent information sessions

 

Pastoral care

 

• To engage actively in supporting the well-being of students in boarding
• To liaise with the School’s pastoral leaders and the School’s counsellor in accordance with the School’s policies and procedures
• To embrace actively the role of pastoral care leader for the boarding house
• To participate in pastoral curriculum planning and collaboration with colleagues to develop the pastoral care programme

 

Values & responsibilities

 

• To exercise a safeguarding and wellbeing duty of care in accordance with the School’s policies and procedures
• To contribute to co-curricular activities to enhance the learning experience offered by the School, including clubs, excursions, and longer trips
• To treat all sensitive information relating to pupils, fellow employees and the business of the School as confidential
• To be mindful of the need to behave appropriately and professionally at all times with pupils, their parents, peers and other staff
• To be an active member of the schools safeguarding committee to support the safeguarding of all young people in the school
• To support the learners to identify their personal values regarding success
• To engage positively and collaboratively with all members of the ISA School community

 

Other Responsibilities

 

• Be resident in the accommodation provided in the boarding house during term time
• Act as a ‘backstop’ when staffing issues arise in the boarding house and/or when other circumstances call for extra duties to be taken on
• Be prepared, within reasonable boundaries of expectation, to field queries from parents, pupils and staff about boarding during the school holidays

 

Application Process

Interested candidates please go to "APPLY FOR THIS JOB".

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend face-to-face and/or skype interview with our recruitment team.

Candidates are requested to provide three referees for pre-employment reference check from current and previous employers.  The referees must be the Principal, Head of school or the direct supervisor from the school management team.

ISA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.  Candidates must be prepared to undergo child protection screening and appropriate background check.

General Requirements for International Teaching Positions

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in relevant subject area
• A recognized teaching qualification (e.g. BEd, PGCE)
• Minimum two years’ experience of classroom teaching in mainstream education sector
• Previous experience of teaching the IB curriculum is preferred, high potential candidates without IB experience might be considered
• Well-versed in various teaching resources including digital tools to support and enhance teaching and learning
• Sensitivity to the cultural differences
• A willingness to actively participate in the academic enrichment and co-curricular programmes