Head of Early Years

Wellington College is committed to providing world-class educational opportunities in the city of Tianjin. We seek to recruit and develop staff members who are fully engaged with the stated vision of the school – [to] “aspire to create a caring, international community that develops well-rounded individuals with strong values and the skills to thrive within an ever-changing global society” and who are guided in their professional and personal conduct by the core Wellington values – courage, respect, integrity, kindness and responsibility. In this way, the post holder should regard the following outline of the job description not as a checklist of things to achieve, but as a starting point for their growth in the role.

About Us

Wellington College International Tianjin’s Early Years’ centre (‘the Nest’) provides pupils aged 2-6 years with access to an education rooted in the traditional values and the progressive approach to learning synonymous with Wellington College, within a genuinely bilingual educational programme. Our model draws on the best of the UK’s EYFS and deepens the learning experience of our pupils through the addition of key elements of the Chinese language, culture, and history. We aim to prepare pupils for success during and after their time at the College.

Within a culture of shared vision, mutual respect, high academic standards, open communication and a commitment to best practice, the Head of Early Years will form an integral part of a close team determined to develop and evolve in their personal and professional development.

The Role

Objectives

• To provide clear strategic direction and leadership to the Nest
• To ensure the school curriculum is of excellent quality through regular review and evaluation
• To monitor the quality of teaching and learning, ensuring the highest standards are in place for all year groups and classes
• To lead the staff team to support the physical, emotional and social development of every child in the Nest
• To ensure an orderly, stimulating and motivational culture with a strong sense of school community
• To ensure the provision of first-class learning through the leadership of the school’s performance management process and resources. Ensure high-quality, relevant CPD is available to staff in the Nest
• To deploy staff and manpower throughout the Nest, including the allocation of cover where necessary
• To report to the Master on all issues relating to the management and organization of the Nest
• To market the school through the building of strong links with the Tianjin community
• To establish a strong understanding of Wellington College, its ethos and traditions

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• Work with the Master, the SLT and Nest middle leaders to create and implement the strategic plan which identifies priorities and targets for ensuring that student achieve high standards and make progress, increasing teacher’s effectiveness and securing school improvement
• Support the Master in the management and direction of Wellington College as a whole
• Lead and support middle leaders and staff in the process of the whole school and subject self-review. To mentor middle leaders and specific subject leaders
• Work with the Master to develop a strategic view for the school in its community and analyse and plan for its future needs and further development within the local, national and international context
• Take responsibility for improving children’s eagerness to learn and mitigating the problems they face
• Setting an exemplary tone for the Nest community (Pupils, parents and staff) and modelling the school’s values and ethos
• Assist the Director of Admissions in the introduction/viewing of the school by prospective parents, including the provision of open days and other parental engagement with the Nest
• Ensure parental communications are regular, timely and accurate. Provide parents with advice and guidance on the best educational environment and resources for young children
• Provide the Master with accurate, up-to-date data on the performance of pupils and staff in the Nest
• Control budgets and finances within the Nest and offer direction and support to middle leaders, as when aspects of financial responsibility are delegated to them

Educational Attainment and Delivery

• Create a culture and environment in which young children thrive and thus drive up educational standards and improving outcomes for all
• Ensure that a modern, 21st-century bilingual curriculum is delivered through effective learning
• Embed strong assessment practices which are moderated and reviewed regularly
• Drive innovation in learning, ensuring that the school is able to respond to a changing external environment and that the skills, understanding and aspiration of the pupils are in line with the school’s overall aims and vision
• Ensure that a premium-quality educational experience is available for all pupils who attend the Nest

Teaching and Learning

• Establish and maintain an environment and a code of behaviour which promotes and secures good teaching, effective learning, and high standards of achievement, good behaviour and discipline
• Provide effective links with the community to extend the curriculum and enhance teaching and learning
• Maintain an effective partnership with parents to support and improve pupil achievement and personal development
• Ensure that professional development opportunities for all staff are linked to individual and school needs through performance management and the school development plan
• Keep an accurate record of staff absence and communicate this to the relevant administrative departments

Partnerships

• Work in partnership with parents to raise educational standards, promoting lifelong learning, and improving outcomes for all
• Foster and support the development of the reputation of the school and Wellington College China at all times

Resources and Performance Management

• Deliver effective operational management for the school within the Nest budget and in accordance with financial probity
• Implement a performance management framework for the delivery of high-quality services through high-quality people performance
• Work towards, and report on, targets for achievement and operation of the Nest, as well as individual targets as agreed by the Master
• Set high standards and expectations for personal, pupil, staff and parent conduct at all times
• Support the Master and SLT in recruiting, managing, developing and motivating a committed, effective and diverse workforce that has a clear understanding of the vision of the school and where individuals have individual role clarity enabling and promoting high-quality learning
• Developing strategic approaches to support and monitor positive transformational change across all aspects of school life
• Ensuring the organisational structure and ways of working support effective education and learning
• Acting in accordance with legislation affecting the conduct of the school, particularly that governing health and safety matters and employment rights