Position:Head of Upper School
Start Date: August, 2024
Location: Changzhou，Jiangsu province
Type of School: British Boarding School


Benefits:
Salary: 700k-800k/year before tax, open to talk depending on qualification and experience;
Housing: well-built apartment provided;
Flight Allowance: 10k/year;
Health Insurance: in line with the international standard;
Fully Paid Holidays: Chinese public / Winter / Summer holidays;
Annual Bonus: Provided;
Free education for 2 kids


Introduction
The Head of Secondary will oversee the day-to-day running of the secondary phase. The secondary school consists of two divisions: the Middle School (G7-9) and High School (G10-12).Students in the Middle School division complete the Chinese National Curriculum compulsory years alongside international courses of study to enable their learning and prepare them for the High School. Students in the High School division study IGCSEs and A Levels and prepare for entry to universities in the UK. Some students also apply to the USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong etc.The Head of Secondary will have impressive academic credentials, be passionate about holistic education, be an inclusive and inspirational leader, and possess the ability to adjust quickly. They will also be:
• highly dynamic and energetic, with strategic initiative and the ability to work as part of a wider leadership team;
• a team-player, who shares and celebrates the successes of students and staff;
• an outstanding people skills and the ability to build strong and harmonious relationships with parents, staff, students and other stakeholders;
• intellectually minded with the ability to drive improvement and aspire for excellence, as well as fully conversant with the latest pedagogical knowledge;
• highly knowledgeable about, and experienced in, delivering outstanding examination outcomes through leadership of middle leaders and a teaching team;
• capable of demonstrating energy and creativity, mindful of the cultural context, with sensitivity and integrity.

The Head of Secondary will be capable and willing to take on responsibilities and develop the experience to support their promotion to the post of Executive Head at a Wycombe Abbey School in our expanding group of schools in the near future.

Leadership
• be resident on the school campus and play an active role in the full life of the busy boarding school;
• provide professional leadership and take responsibility for the effective day-to-day management of academic, pastoral, enrichment, extension and community activities of the Secondary School (G7-12) to ensure successful growth and continuous improvement;
• demonstrate a strong, confident, hands-on leadership style where time, personnel, and resource management are discharged efficiently in an atmosphere of consultation and collaboration, with due regard for the cultural complexities of international education;
• take ownership of all educational policies relating to the Secondary School and jointly review and agree whole-school policies with the Heads of School – Primary and Kindergarten;
• provide a monthly report for the Executive Head on key performance indicators and the work, progress and successes of the school;
• attend Executive Leadership Team (ELT) meetings and play a key role in the development, execution and monitoring of the school’s Strategic and Development Plans;
• chair Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meetings for the Secondary School, assigning and monitoring the work of the Deputy Heads and their teams;
• chair weekly Staff Meetings for the Secondary School to ensure clear and consistent communication; ensure notes from the meeting are circulated;
• oversee the induction programme for all new staff starting at the school and provide appropriate team￾building opportunities for all staff;
• deputise for the Executive Head, as appropriate, acting as his/her first deputy;
• oversee the collection of information for the School Calendar and bring this to termly Calendar Meetings;
• communicate regularly with parents to keep them up-dated with calendar events, important information, changes to schedules and health-related matters;
• ensure that any complaints are dealt with following the school’s policy, that details are fully recorded and any serious matters brought to the ELT;
• teach up to 35% FTE academic timetable; and
• carry out any reasonable duties requested by the Executive Head

Academic
• ensure that the school provides an outstanding quality of education for every student; monitor and actively improve learning and teaching standards, and demonstrate academic progress, bilingualism and preparation for international examinations and university entrance through a variety of assessments;
• collect, review and discuss subject choices and ensure appropriate teaching groups and sets are created and shared with Heads of Faculties;
• ensure that the school timetable is researched, created and published in a timely manner, reflecting the choices of students and the needs of the school, with fairness and transparency for all staff;
• oversee the construction and consistent implementation of a prep (homework) schedule for G7-10 students;
• create a fair model for staff cover to ensure that all classes up to Grade 10 are supervised at all times and work is set for cover lessons;
• carry out regular monitoring of academic standards, including work scrutiny, lesson observations, reviews of schemes of work and assessment materials, and attend departmental meetings;
• complete baseline assessments for all new students and year group testing at the start of G7 and G10;
• ensure procedures are in place for examination entries, predicted grades, coursework submissions,
examination timetables, invigilation and security of examination papers;
• oversee the work of the Information Technology Support Department, checking hardware and software up-grades are completed efficiently, problems are logged and resolved in a timely fashion and data is backed up and stored following data protection protocols;
• oversee the work of the Database Administrator and the integrity and up-dates to data in iSAMS and other
relevant data sets;
• prepare a schedule of reporting to parents and, as appropriate, face-to-face parent-tutor conferences;
• ensure that the school is always ready for on-line learning with teaching group communications and resources available through Outlook, Teams and the VLE;
• ensure that the school is always prepared for external inspection and take a leading role in inspection by international bodies (such as COBIS, BSA, CIEA, Oxford AQA and Pearson Edexcel etc.) and representatives of WASUK; and
• work closely with the Chinese Principal (Secondary) to ensure that the school delivers a fully integrated International and Chinese bilingual curriculum that prepares students for entry to the world’s top universities.

Pastoral
• assume the role of (Deputy) Designated Safeguarding Lead, to ensure every child is happy, safe and supported and knows to whom they can turn for help at any time;
• promote full boarding life as a positive and central part of the holistic provision
• ensure that weekends provide opportunities for students to work, rest and play; ensure that the balance is right between organised activities and independent time for students and that the right number of staff are employed to supervise and encourage the students;
• arrange the induction programme for new students entering G7-12, ensuring they receive the full and correct information prior to their arrival and the best possible support when they join the school;
• oversee the provision of medical services in the school through the team of nurses, receiving monthly reports on all services provided;
• oversee the quick response to compulsory health checks, vaccinations, Covid testing etc. and ensure that the service provided by the Medical Centre is efficient, kind and compliant;
• ensure that the wellbeing of students in central to planning, particularly when special events take place and towards the end of each term;
• oversee the provision of counselling services, both in school and (when necessary) outside school to support the mental health of students and staff;
• work with the HSMs and their House Liaisons to ensure that all communications with parents are expedient, accurate, fair and proactive;
• oversee the provision of an excellent PSHE programme delivered by Houses;
• provide support for the SENDCo and monitor the provision of special educational needs throughout the
school;
• arrange celebration assemblies for students by House and for the Secondary School;
• ensure that House Points and other rewards are used consistently and effectively;
• oversee behaviour management and sanctions for students in G7-12, supporting staff with any repetitive
poor behaviour and continually working on educational and social standards;
• give time and a sympathetic ear to all members of staff who require counsel, ensuring that they receive
the support they need or access to appropriate professionals; and
• provide support for other senior leaders in their daily lives and work.
Enrichment
• ensure that the performing arts, the creative arts, and sports are central to life in the school and
opportunities abound for participation for all students;
• deliver a full programme of inter-House competitions across a diverse range of disciplines;
• promote enrichment clubs and societies, making China’s leading provider of holistic education;
• identify new opportunities to enrich the lives of the students through external activity providers, outdoor
pursuits and trips;
• enable students to prepare for and successfully achieve the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the John Muir
Award;
• arrange diverse and challenge trips and activity weeks for all students at appropriate times in the school
calendar; and
• oversee the arrangements for expeditions, international trips, sports tours etc.
Extension
• enable students to exceed their expectations and access the world’s top universities through scholarly
activities, competitions, learning from experts and completing independent work;
• support students as they complete HPQ and EPQ projects and develop presentation skills;
• ensure the school provides the very best careers advice and supports students in securing relevant work
experience;
• ensure the school provides the very best support to all students applying for higher education and that
each student receives the support and guidance they need in preparation for university entrance tests and
interviews;
• promote applications to the world’s top universities and ensure they receive the mentoring and extension
supervisions they require to attain their goals;
• provide a programme of activities, trips and challenges for the Xilingshi-Lovelace Society members to
improve their critical thinking and problem solving skills;
• oversee the work of the Heads of Grade (G7-12) to ensure that robust tracking, target setting and
evaluation systems are in place to identify students who are falling below expectations, and that we provide
opportunities to boost the outcomes of all students and, in particular, students who are in need of
additional challenges;
• invite experts from a range of fields to visit the school to deliver lectures, workshops and opportunities for
students to discover new ideas and think beyond the specification;
• oversee the applications, interviews, references and selection of students to positions of responsibility; and
• ensure that the ‘student voice’ is heard through a variety of mechanisms such as Grade/Divisional
assemblies, specific committees and a more formal School Council.
Community
• take an active role in and outside WASCZ to build a positive image of the school;
• ensure that clear focus is given to the environment within and close by the school, supporting initiatives
that drive sustainability, energy efficiency and awareness of climate change;
• oversee special events arranged for students and staff in and outside school;
• build and deliver an outstanding programme of summer courses, utilising the school’s impressive facilities
and reputation across a range of fields;
• develop a number of successful outreach projects that benefit families in the local area and build the
reputation of the school as a centre of excellence;
• develop the organisation for parents, alumni and friends of the school;
• develop, test and collect data through meaningful questionnaires aimed at parents, students and staff, to
help direct the school’s strategy and mission;
• keep abreast of high quality educational research and establish and maintain links to leading universities
in China and overseas; encourage participation in research projects and facilitate staff conducting
educational research as part of their professional development;
• secure a first class Professional Development programme, collaborations and partnerships with other
organisations, promote new initiatives and educational research;
• collaborate with counterparts in the Group to share best practice, and support positive educational
outcomes and opportunities for students and staff;
• provide accurate and supportive references to staff seeking promotion within the Group or alternative
employment in other schools or industries; and
• play a leading role in staff professional reviews through the school’s appraisal system, setting targets and
monitoring progress, identifying over and underperformance, and taking appropriate action.
Marketing, Admissions and Communications
The Head of Secondary will work closely with the Head of Marketing & Admissions and:
• assist with the marketing of the school by attending and speaking at key events, writing articles and recording interviews to promote the holistic education we provide;
• assist with admissions by interviewing, assessing, and admitting students to G7-12; and
• represent the school to student and parent groups, including meeting existing and potential parents regularly, participating in and speaking at promotional and educational events.
Human Resources The Head of Secondary will work closely with the Head of Human Resources to:
• keep accurate records of staff absence from the Secondary School (teachers, tutors, coaches, technicians,
TAs, nurses etc.) and ensure records are shared with HR monthly;
• assist the Executive Head in the recruitment of staff, including writing and reviewing job descriptions, sharing advertisements, shortlisting, interviewing and observing teaching; and
• assist the Executive Head in the probationary checks, retention, promotion and contract renewals of staff.
Business & Compliance
The Head of Secondary will work closely with the Estate Bursar and Head of Finance to:
•play an active role in identifying and finding solutions to issues relating to safety, health and the environment (SHE) around the school;
assist in the development, implementation and execution of policies and procedures approved by the BE management, and offer advice on the need for new and/or revised policies and procedures;
assist in the business administration of the school, including operations, facilities management, finance, and IT;
assist in the development of positive government relationships and in the development of school business functions;
implement and oversee a blended International / Chinese National Curriculum that complies with statutory requirements as set by the Wujin Education Bureau;
oversee budgets, as assigned, for efficient, prudent and quality management of the school;
assist the Chinese Principal and Executive Head to identify key personnel within the municipal and district governments who have power to decide on matters that concern the operation and development of the school; and assist the Chinese Principal and Executive Head in ensuring the school obtains and renews licenses, permits, and any other government necessary for running of the school.