Job Description
Purpose of Role
The Deputy Head Academic will be a key member of the Secondary Leadership teams. She will work closely with the Vice Principal - Secondary to establish the systems, structures and processes to enable all girls to achieve their best. She will be a highly visible and engaging ambassador for the school. The Deputy Head Academic will promote the values, ethos and philosophy of the school and the vision and values set out by the school and ensuring Qatari National Identity and values are at the center of all we do.
Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities are summarised below:
Strategic Direction, Development and Accountability
- Under the direction of the Vice Principal Secondary, and in collaboration with the Deputy Head Academic Primary, to develop, maintain and promote a vision for academic provision that is ambitious and aligned with the school mission, vision and values.
- As a member of the SLT, to be involved in formulating, and having the responsibility of delivering, the strategic goals of the school.
- To be a highly visible presence and lead by example, providing inspiration and motivation.
- To implement innovative initiatives to contribute to academic progress and ensure that UK and International educational developments are implemented where relevant
- To ensure that school’s policies and strategies are embedded throughout the school
- To contribute to the school’s production of an annual development review and strategic plan for improvement.
- In consultation with the SLT, take a leading role in any relevant whole school focus areas.
Leadership and Management
- To lead the Secondary Heads of Department and the Exams Officer, ensuring that they have the necessary skills and empowerment to lead their departments.
- To drive excellence in teaching, learning and assessment
- Along with other members of SLT to inform teaching staff of policies/developments/procedures, and the needs of individual pupils.
- To deal positively and proactively with parents and pupils and address any concerns or complaints effectively and in a timely manner.
- To oversee any relevant budgets.
- Work with the Vice Principal and other members of SLT to manage accurate and timely appraisal and performance management systems, which include quality coaching and mentoring and appropriate professional development for all staff, in line with the school development plan and performance management processes
- Work with the Vice Principal and other members of SLT to plan the academic calendar of events, professional development, meetings and quality assurance activities
- To empower staff to develop their leadership potential by delegating tasks effectively
- To lead regular meetings and attend other meetings as required
- Stay abreast of the latest educational research and best practices, attending relevant conferences and workshops to enhance personal and professional growth and share information with relevant stakeholders as directed.
- Ensure that appropriate cover is in place to cover for staff absence on a daily or long-term basis as appropriate.
Curriculum Development and Management
- Collaborate with the Vice Principal Secondary and the Heads of Department and other stakeholders to develop and implement a balanced and engaging curriculum that meets the needs of all students, while maintaining compliance with British educational standards and all examination board and Ministry of Education requirements.
- Work with any primary staff to ensure that the curriculum is seamless from EYFS up to A-Levels
- Conduct regular reviews of the curriculum to identify areas for improvement and update content as necessary.
- Organize and facilitate training sessions or workshops for staff to enhance their skills in these areas.
- Develop an efficient and effective timetable that meets the needs of students and teachers.
- Ensure that the timetable allows for a balanced and comprehensive curriculum and associated assessments, taking into consideration subjects, teacher availability, and student preferences.
- Work closely with the Vice Principal Secondary and all other stakeholders to inform and guide pupils and parents in the making of appropriate IGCSE and AS level option choices.
- Working with key staff, to keep up-to-date on any Ministry and university requirements and ensure that pupils and parents are given the best possible advice to make sensible choices.
- Work with the HoDs, HoYs and Exams Officers to ensure that all pupils are entered for the appropriate exams and tiers.
Leadership of Teaching Learning and Assessment
- Lead on related CPD with staff including team teaching and lesson observations where appropriate on matter pertaining to students’ academic needs in the secondary section of the school.
- Lead on teaching and learning, to ensure Quality First Teaching
- Lead on quality assurance activities for teaching and learning
Pupil Progress
- Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of academic data to track student progress, identify trends, and inform instructional decisions.
- Ensure that a detailed annual assessment schedule is in place, including both at a departmental and school level.
- Be available on Exam Results days for advice to students, parents and other stakeholders.
- Collate and disseminate exam result analysis for SLT, Governors, Marketing and academic departments
- Ensure that parents are aware of their daughter’s progress through a range of communication measures including full comment and grade-only reports and parents’ evenings and that this schedule is communicated to parents.
- Work with the ISAMs administrator to set up of mark books and reports, roll over and other related academic matters.
- Utilize data to identify areas of improvement and implement targeted interventions to support individual or cohort student achievement.
- Utilize student performance data to identify areas for whole school/secondary improvement and track progress towards key stakeholder academic goals.
- Along with all relevant stakeholders, use data to identify individual pupils and put intervention measures in place to ensure that all pupils achieve their potential.
- Work alongside HoDs and HoYs to ensure that all pupils are making necessary progress.
Admissions and Marketing
- To support the marketing of the school through attendance and, where required, presentations at events including Open Mornings and online events
- Along with the Deputy Heads and Vice Principals, create and implement a series of parental engagement events which will not only aid retention of current pupils and academic progress.
- To contribute to marketing materials
- To work with Admissions and be involved in the assessing of potential new pupils as appropriate and assess suitability for chosen courses.
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
Qualification
- Bachelor’s degree in teaching from an accredited institution
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education
- Required teaching certification for Qatar MOEHE
- Meet professional teacher education requirements of school
- Child Care and Protection
Experience: Minimum 3 years’ relevant experience
Skills
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate, and empower staff.
- Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills for building strong relationships with students, staff, and parents.
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills to drive academic improvement.
- Commitment to safeguarding, child protection, and promoting student wellbeing.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a senior leadership team and contribute to whole-school decision-making.
ISP Leadership Competencies
You consistently demonstrate and role-model the ISP Leadership Competencies in all that you do.
- Collaboration. Takes an active part in leading their school or region; is cooperative and a genuine team player, developing positive, supportive relationships with colleagues to solve problems and maximise opportunities.
- Learning & Getting Better. Continually demonstrates personal commitment and passion for learning and getting better using evidence and feedback, supporting others in their continual learning, development and growth.
- Innovation Leadership. It is good at creating an environment where ideas for learning initiatives and services are generated and is able to motivate and inspire others through the process of creation through to completion.
- Outcome driven. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to exceed goals and is focused on KPIs.
- Resilience. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.
- Community Focus. It is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our students and their families.
- Integrity & Ethical Management. Has the ability to work ethically and with integrity; helps others feel valued; upholds and models the ISP Vision, Purpose and Principles.
- Leading & Inspiring Others. Support encourages and inspires students, colleagues and teams so that they give their best.
- Understanding People. It is a very good judge of talent, can objectively articulate the strengths and motivations of people inside or outside the organisation.
- Influencing & Communication. Consistently informs, influences and inspires students, parents and colleagues through timely and effective communication.
- Agile. Responds and adapts to changing circumstances; manages and solves problems by providing solutions in a climate of ambiguity.
- Strategic, Commercial & Financial Awareness. Has the ability to apply understanding of the business and industry to improve effectiveness and profitability.
- Planning & Decision Making. Makes decisions on the best course of action and then plans, organises, prioritises and balances resources to achieve the desired outcome.
- Diversity & Equity. It has the sensitivity, awareness and skill to understand the values, behaviours, attitudes and practices across cultures that supports all children and adults to learn and work effectively.
ISP Principles
Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding
and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.
Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.
Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.
Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.
ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles
ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.
ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.
