Head of Primary - Wellington College International Hangzhou

The Head of Primary will lead on preparations for the school opening in August 2022. This will comprise working closely with other members of the team to ensure primary school recruitment, resources, curricula and admission are successfully completed. As a member of the senior leadership team (SLT), the Head of Primary will need to display dedication, flexibility and the capacity to lead teams and solve problems.  

The Head of Primary will be a member of the SLT and attend Monthly Management Meetings to report progress to the Board of Governors. 

Key Responsibilities – Founding Year 

Work with the founding team and the Wellington College China Central Office, lead on:  

• Developing curriculum content and resource the school in preparation for opening in August 2022. 
• Recruitment of all academic Primary staff. 
• Support recruitment of non-academic and academic support staff for August 2022. 
• Work with the Finance Department to prepare a working budget for school opening. 
• Work with the Director of Admissions and Director of Marketing, to successfully meet admission targets and secure the effective enrolment of Primary and Junior High pupils. Lead information sessions, parent and pupil meetings, interviewing families and any other marketing/admissions agreed upon to achieve agreed enrolment targets in first year of operation and beyond. 
• Work with the Facilities Team to ensure an excellent learning environment is secured for the school opening. This includes ensuring appropriate furniture is ordered and installed correctly and signage is completed. 
• Ensure that all policies and handbooks are prepared and aligned to group expectations. 
• With the Executive Master, prepare the primary induction for new staff for July 2022.  
• Work closely with the Head of Primary in other WCC schools to ensure sharing of best practice.   
• Liaise with administrative departments to ensure efficient administrative management of the school.  
• Be a figurehead in the promotion of the school in its vision, values and ethos and to model these both in the school and in the wider community.  
• Report to the Executive Master on all issues relating to the efficient management and organisation of the Primary School.  

Strategic Direction/development  

• Establish and implement strategic plans for leading the successful opening of the primary school.  
• Develop and establish the culture, educational vision and direction of the school. 
• Work with the Executive 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. 
• Work with the Executive Master to create and implement the strategic plan which identifies priorities and targets for ensuring that future students are able achieve high standards and make progress, increasing teacher’s effectiveness and securing school improvement. 
• Share responsibility for and assist where required, the Director of Admissions in the introduction/viewing of the school by prospective parents.  

Teaching and Learning  

• Secure high standards of teaching and learning. 
• Lead on developing policies and curriculum content in preparation for the opening of the college. 
• Establish and maintain an environment which promotes and secures good teaching, effective learning, and high standards of achievement. 
• 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 pupils’ achievement and personal development. 
• Ensure that professional development opportunities for all staff are linked to individual and school needs through an impactful performance management and the school development plan. 
• Work with the subject and stage coordinators to ensure that the Primary School curriculum and timetable are aligned to the school’s vision and identity.   
• Record and report on the quality of teaching and pupil attainment and progress. 

Leading and Managing Staff  

• With Executive Master and with support of WCC CO, implement and sustain effective systems for the management of staff performance, incorporating appraisal and objective setting through the performance management for teachers, participate as a performance reviewer. 
• Sustain own CPD and ensure systems are in place (appraisal/CPD) to develop future Primary staff from August 2022.  
• Draw up the timetable for the Primary School with regard to specific curriculum needs, liaising with staff where necessary. 
• Set a good example in terms of dress, punctuality and attendance. 
• Uphold the College’s values and behaviour code. 
• Efficient Deployment of Staff and Resources  
• Recruit staff to meet the curriculum requirements for the Primary School. 
• Manage the budget for professional development throughout the Primary School. 
• Manage the budget for educational resources throughout the Primary School. 
• Direct deployment of staffing and manpower throughout the Primary School. 
• Ensure policies, practices and parental communications are established and maintained to support the physical, emotional and social development of the individual pupil. 

Accountability  

• Work with the Executive Master to provide information, objective advice and support to the Board of Governors to enable it to meet its responsibilities for securing effective teaching and learning and improved standards of achievement and for achieving efficiency and value for money. 
• Work with the Executive Master to create and develop an organisation in which all staff recognise that they are accountable for the success of the school.  
• Ensure that future parents and pupils are well informed about the curriculum, attainment and progress, and about the contribution that they can make to achieve the school targets for improvement.  
• Oversee parent-staff communications and become involved in such communications as to and when fit.