Head of Primary

The Head of the Primary is responsible for assisting in the organization and fostering a positive, safe environment that is conducive to meeting the needs of all students, staff, and parents. This includes such responsibilities as leading, directing, counseling, and supervising a variety of personnel and programs as well as creating effective parent, teacher, and student communications, supporting, encouraging, mentoring, evaluating, and fostering teamwork among all community members.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Support, uphold, and articulate the mission and vision of Al Shomoukh International School.
• Support and adhere to the code of conduct, policies, and procedures of Al Shomoukh International School. Maintain confidentiality regarding school matters.
• Ensure that all policies, procedures, and routines across the primary school are effective and efficient.
• Be responsible for the safety and well-being of all students and staff through positive recognition and establishing high expectations for behavior and conduct.
• Plan, deliver, and oversee a high-quality primary program and its curriculum.
• Ensure that improvement activities are focused on raising quality and productivity within the department.
• Monitor and promote outstanding attendance and punctuality across the academic department. Involve staff in a systematic and rigorous self-evaluation, with the obligation to fully cooperate.
• Contribute to monthly newsletters. Prepare regular communications with staff, students, and parents.
• Consult the community about the work of Al Shomoukh International School regularly to ensure that parent views are received respectfully and help guide the school’s development.
• Monitor the implementation of strategic plans and identify areas of need. If and when it is appropriate, administer a budget for the satisfaction of agreed needs.
• Foster the well-being and development of all individuals associated with the service through the creation of a secure and supportive environment. Foster links between all community members.
• Lead a team of professionals and collaborate with them to maintain the highest possible standards of care and development.
• Engage in personal and professional development to ensure a thorough knowledge of all aspects relating to the field of education.
• Develop a monthly Continuous Professional Development schedule for your department.
• Uphold professional integrity at all times…discretion, confidentiality, loyalty, and trust while performing all duties. Display a high level of professional competence in all areas of responsibility.
• Attend school-sponsored activities. Use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parental involvement. Contribute to the marketing of the Al Shomoukh International School to the local and wider community.
• Act as a prime “point of contact” in student recruitment and interviews with parents of primary students.
• Participate in staff recruitment and appraisal processes.
• Work with staff cooperatively and respectfully. Foster positive staff relationships. Hold regular departmental meetings.
• Observe and evaluate instruction and provide constructive feedback on staff performance while maintaining documentation. Promote peer modeling, team teaching, and coaching within and across grade levels and departments.
• Establish expectations for students, staff, and parents that aim toward achieving and maintaining an excellent rating from the Ministry of Education and other relevant authorities while making positive use of data available from the management information system.
• Maintain a work schedule that maximizes availability to the school, students, staff, and families.
• Ensure all teacher's report comments are checked and are written at the highest standards.
• Check all students ' term results and ensure all grades are entered into the school and ministry pals.
• Meet all deadlines set by the Vice Principal.
• Communicate effectively with parents and ensure concerns or complaints are handled within 24 hours.
• Monitor the parent portal daily and ensure teachers are posting homework, assignments, worksheets, and assessment dates.
• Organize after-school support and ECA’s, keep a record of students’ attendance, and inform parents of students recommended to attend the support sessions.
• Prepare a list of recommended textbooks for the start of the academic year – the textbook list must be submitted when the deadline is set by the Vice Principal.
• Submit all end-of-year curriculum improvement plans and recommendations.
• Hold regular meetings with your teachers and ensure to take minutes.
• Ensure yearbook photos and comments are prepared by teachers and checked by the head of the department.
• Heads of departments are expected to attend all after-school parent meetings or workshops.
• Responsible for supervising your department on the ground & first-floor corridors.
• Submit an end-of-year department report to your line manager.
• Heads of Departments are expected to cover for teachers who call in absent or are on leave.
• Ensure each year group holds its weekly assembly.
• Select teachers to monitor and hold weekly student council meetings.
• Monitor teachers' display boards.
• Organize your grade sections' yearly trips and coordinate with the Head of trips and activities.
• Monitor corridors and playground areas during students' breaks.
• Continuously supervise corridors and toilets throughout the school day.
• Organize your department's yearly trips and coordinate with the Head of trips and activities.