Head of Primary School – Al Hamra Campus – Required August 2024

The British International School Riyadh (BISR) is an extremely well-regarded not-for-profit, co-educational school in the Middle East, catering for students aged 3-18 across its existing five campuses, providing high quality education to the expatriate community since 1979. The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and as a British School Overseas (BSO). BISR is also a member of the British Schools of the Middle East (BSME), the Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO), the Heads Conference (HMC) and the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). The school follows the English curriculum, greatly enriched by the local and international context. Learning is holistic, supported by a broad co-curricular programme, encompassing extra-curricular activities, student leadership, service learning and residential trips. Strong pastoral care supports student well-being. 

We are seeking to appoint a well-qualified, experienced, and highly motivated Head of Primary School, to lead the Al Hamra Primary section, which comprises over 1000 students from F1 through Year 6. We are specifically looking for a leader who will contribute to the further development of our dynamic school, someone who can add to the existing vision and already very high academic standards. The successful candidate will have a strong track record as a leader in a large primary school, and will ideally have considerable experience with British curriculum schools within an international context.

 

Full Job Description is available here: Head of Primary Job Description

 

The successful candidate will:

• Have a strong track record of successful leadership and change management within within a large Primary School in an international context

• Have the ability to lead, inspire and challenge teams.

• Have excellent interpersonal skills, high levels of emotional intelligence and experience of effectively leading and collaborating within a range of teams.

• Have excellent communication skills and the ability to engage with parents and the wider community in supporting student learning.

• Have the ability to think and plan strategically for the continuing development of the Primary School and to convert strategies into operating plans that can be implemented successfully.

• Be innovative, creative, enthusiastic, highly motivated and have a clear vision and foresight to develop the school, implement new initiatives and continue to improve educational standards.

• Ensure students flourish by leading the creation of a positive climate for learning, supporting the holistic development of students, with a strong emphasis on well-being in an intercultural context.

• Fully support the school’s Vision and Mission.  

• Be a role model for other colleagues and within the community, going the extra mile for students and contributing to the wider life of the school, including the broad co-curricular programme and community events.

• Have recognised senior leadership and/or masters level qualifications.

 

 

 

We can offer:

 

• Highly motivated and engaged students

• A school with a strong sense of community

• A learning focused school committed to staff development

• Motivated, hard-working and dedicated colleagues, who are committed to high quality learning, student well-being and co-curricular programmes

• The opportunity to live, work and travel in a unique, beautiful and fast changing country. 

To apply, please follow the link: https://inteachers.net/job/3560 and provide a supporting statement of application following our Guidelines.  

 

Closing date for all applications: Friday, 8th December 2023

 

BISR believes very strongly in the role of the school in safeguarding children and young people.  All staff, whatever their role in the school, will be required to undergo rigorous background checks before commencing employment.

 

The school reserves the right to make an earlier appointment if a suitable candidate is identified

For more information about the school please visit our website: www.bisr.com.sa  

How to apply for a position at BISR

Thank you for considering the British International School Riyadh as your next employment venture. 

BISR is fully committed to safeguarding children and young people. We complete rigorous background checks for all staff, whatever their role in the school, prior to them commencing employment. Our Safer Recruitment Policy is linked here, which we encourage you to read as the policy sets out the school’s Safer Recruitment and Vetting Policy guidelines and requirements.

To apply on InTeachers for a teaching position, please follow the ‘inteachers’ link on the vacancy.

To apply on InTeachers for a non-teaching position, please follow the ‘inteachers’ link on the vacancy, you will need to bypass some of the questions by making a comment ‘not applicable’.

All applicants whether applying for a teaching or a non-teaching position must provide the following in support of your application:

All Applications must include: 

• An up to date two page Curriculum Vitae, including a photograph

• A statement in support of your application, which must include your response to the following question:

“How do you think you would be able to support our Mission and REACH motto?”

In addition, Teacher Applications must include: 

• How do you demonstrate that you are a lifelong learner and how does current pedagogical practice have an impact in your classroom? 

• How do you create a positive classroom climate and support student well-being in your current school?

• What strategies do you use to ensure that all learners in your classroom make good progress? 

• What is your contribution to your current school community? 

The school reserves the right to make an earlier appointment if a suitable candidate is identified

For more information about the school please visit our website www.bisr.com.sa

 

Please refer to the associated job description for the role requirements. 

Teachers who work at BISR should have:

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher status.
• Certificate of Education - PGCE or B.Ed.
• Training or qualification relevant to the post.

Understanding

• An appreciation of the demands of a British school in an international context.
• Recognise the vital importance of a positive commitment to the co-curricular life of the school.
• An appreciation of the importance of intercultural understanding and cultural sensitivity.
• Recognise the responsibility each individual staff member has in supporting the holistic growth and well-being of students.

Experience

• Experience of working in various contexts both in the UK and internationally.
• Experience of teaching within a Key Stage or subject.
• Experience of positive behaviour management strategies.
• Experience of planning for children with a range of learning needs, including extremely able students.
• Experience of curriculum development, monitoring and assessment.
• Experience of working with second language students or prepared to undertake training.

Skills and Abilities

• A detailed knowledge of the English National Curriculum.
• Ability to organise a stimulating learning environment and demonstrate excellent creative teaching skills.
• Willingness to collaborate with colleagues in preparing for learning and teaching.
• Good organisation of recording and evaluating progress.
• Show good communication skills when working with pupils, parents and colleagues.
• Effective skills in managing and organising own time and directing deployment of teaching assistants.
• Good ICT skills to be effective in your job.
• An understanding of Assessment for Learning Strategies and use of this to inform future planning.
• The desire to develop knowledge of the curriculum above and below the preferred key stage or in a cross-curricular context.

Personal Qualities

• Warmth and sense of humour.
• Flexibility.
• Enthusiasm.
• Team player.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.
• Willingness to be involved in co-curricular activities and events and engage in all aspects of school life.
• High expectations of yourself and of children.
• First class communication skills.
• Empathy with all stakeholders: students, colleagues, parents and visitors.

Equal Opportunities

At the British International School Riyadh, we believe that achieving our mission and vision to be “an outstanding British international school, providing world class learning experiences, in a nurturing environment, where students excel, flourish and develop as positive global citizens” is driven by a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture with equality of opportunity for all. The school is committed to creating an environment where we value people as unique members of a diverse community, developing as positive global citizens who respect the culture and identity of all.