The Senior Deputy Head is appointed by the School Governing Board and the Principal, and is
responsible to the Principal for a wide-ranging remit. No list of responsibilities should be seen as
exhaustive. The Senior Deputy Head will work closely with the Principal and the other members of
the senior leadership team in formulating policy, contributing to strategic development and
overseeing the day-to-day running of the school
Responsibilities
There are six main strands to this role:
➢ To work closely with the Principal on ensuring successful implementation of the school’s strategic vision of a high-quality educational provision
➢ To oversee the smooth operation of the day-to-day life of the school, being both proactive and reactive in ensuring that the functions of the school operate effectively.
➢ To oversee and lead the day-to-day management of the school teaching staff.
➢ To oversee and contribute to the professional development of teaching staff, supporting the school’s strategic development and ensuring that lifelong learning remains at the heart of the school’s ethos
➢ To ensure that the school is inspection ready and compliant and that all regulatory changes and updates are implemented; to oversee the school’s preparation for an inspection
➢To support the communications, marketing and information strategy at the school.
Strategy
• Work closely with the Principal to deliver the school’s strategic vision and annual development plan, ensuring ongoing school improvement.
• Support the School Principal in establishing a culture of excellence, equality and high expectations for all members of the school community.
• Deputise for the Principal in their absence and act at all times as a key advisor on matters of strategy and daily operation.
• Attend all Governors meetings
Day-to day Operations
o Responsible for the smooth daily running of the school.
o Co-ordinate the activities of the SLT to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the school.
o Operational oversight of daily routines and logistics of day-to-day school life
o Support the Deputy Head Pastoral with the most serious disciplinary matters, including those likely to result in suspension or exclusion.
o Ensure the effective completion of Departmental Development Plans. o Work closely with the Deputy Head Pastoral to promote and ensure high expectations of behaviour in the school community.
o Oversee the construction of the timetable, ensuring the appropriate deployment of teaching staff, analysing and planning academic staffing levels and monitoring workloads.
o Advising the Principal on future staffing requirement.
o Oversee the development of each term’s calendar, maintain a forward planner and making recommendations to the Principal about future term and holiday dates.
o Overseeing the organisation of the school daily/weekly duty structure.
o Manage the organisation, scheduling and performance of school assemblies.
o In liaison with the Health and Safety Officer and the Chinese Principal, support the implementation of the school’s health and safety policies, including the co-ordination of arrangements for fire safety and lockdown procedures.
o Liaises with the Chinese Principal to co-ordinate academic, co-curricular and pastoral matters with operational requirements.
o Ensure effective communication (academic, pastoral and operational) and co-operation between the Junior and Senior School.
o Attends relevant major operational meetings such as the Health and Safety Committee.
o Chair relevant internal committees and meetings and attend all other major school committees and meetings.
o With the Health and Safety Officer and Chinese Principal, oversee the school’s response to critical incidents
o Direct the organisation of all major school events and any one-off events
o Oversee the arrangements for Open Days
Staff Management
• Set and maintain clear professional standards and academic expectations for staff, ensuring all staff understand and adhere to the Staff Code of Conduct at all times
• Ensure that staff set high expectations for students and deal appropriately with behavioural matters.
• Be available regularly to advise and assist staff with matters involving parents, students or colleagues.
• Be involved in the interview and recruitment process for all academic positions and some non-teaching roles.
• Work closely with the Chinese Principal to manage and monitor the welfare of all teaching staff.
• Work closely where relevant with the HR Manager and in liaison with the Chinese Principal to resolve any staffing issues.
• Ensure underperformance is challenged in an effective and timely manner
• Manage capability, disciplinary and grievance proceedings, in consultation with the Principal, including assisting where appropriate in the investigation of any disciplinary or grievance issues.
• Assist in the investigation and resolution of complaints as directed by the Principal.
• Oversee and manage the effective running of the teaching staff appraisal process and contribute regularl to the appraisal of teaching colleagues
• Oversee the overall contribution of members of staff, including their levels of contribution to the cocurricular programme.
• Ensure staff duties are carried out appropriately and correctly.
• Lead staff meetings as required, including department meetings, staff / curriculum meetings etc.
• Lead, manage and motivate senior and middle leaders to fulfil their potential.
Staff Training and Professional Development
• In consultation with the Principal and the SLT, develop a CPD programme that reflects the Strategic Development Plan and the individual needs of teaching staff members.
• In liaison with the Chinese Principal, manage the CPD budget effectively and oversee the recording of the CPD undertaken by each teacher.
• Lead and co-ordinate new staff induction, staff appraisal and professional development.
• Lead where relevant on in-house development sessions for staff.
• Work with middle leaders in monitoring, supporting and reviewing self-evaluation.
• Support all staff in the provision of a high-quality education
• Contribute to the production of clear, evidence-based improvement plans and policies for the development of the school and its facilities.
Timetable & Examinations
• Develop and refine the senior school timetable to reflect both the school’s and local government requirements.
• Work closely with the AH Pastoral to develop and refine the junior school timetable to reflect both the school’s and local government requirements
• Maintain an overview of internal exams, ensuring their smooth running Inspection Readiness and Compliance
• Working in tandem with other members of the SLT, the Senior Deputy Head is responsible for ensuring that the school is inspection-ready and compliant with all regulations and standards. This involves:
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Ensuring that school practice is up to date with regulatory changes and updates.
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Undertaking a regular review of all school policies and procedures
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Leading on the school’s annual Self-Evaluation document
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Leading on annual compliance reviews
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Maintaining an ongoing compliance audit
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Overseeing the preparations for an inspection and managing the logistics of an inspection visit
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Ensuring that all relevant policies are available as required to interested parties on the School’s website.
Communication
• Liaise with external partners in order to contribute to the effectiveness of the school.
• Follow SPGS International School Chengdu’s policies regarding communication with parents
• Actively establish good relations and communication with parents
• Promote high quality relationships with all stakeholders.
• Create and maintain an effective partnership with parents and carers to improve every student’s achievement and personal development.
• Attend parents’ conferences as required
• Attend, support and participate in school events as required.
• Ensure the best possible representation of SPGSI in the community
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
· Bachelor’s degree or above in Education
· Essential: Qualified Teacher Status and Degree
· Desirable: Post-graduate qualifications (e.g. MA, PHD); Further professional study (e.g. NPQH)
LANGUAGE
· Fluent in English.
WORKING EXPERIENCE
· Proven record of impact as a middle leader
· Proven record of impact as a senior leader
· Budgetary management
· Effective positive behaviour management
· Ability to track and monitor student progress and use the information to inform school development priorities
· Ability to build strong working relationships with staff and students
· Experience leading projects or initiatives
· Recent experience leading change
· Proven leadership of a team
· Proven record of good judgement
· Proven record of participation in the wider life of the school
· Proven impact as a classroom teacher in a prep and senior school
· Experience of leading significant whole school initiatives
COMPETENCIE
· Understanding of current developments in education
· Knowledge of school accountability measures
· Understanding of staff appraisal
· Understanding of curriculum planning and timetabling
· Understanding of safeguarding
SKILLS & APTITUDES
· Strong communication skills (both orally and in writing)
· Ability to investigate, solve problems and make decisions
· Strong leadership qualities
· A strong commitment to inclusion
· Clear sense of direction and purpose
· Personal impact, self-confidence and presence
· Energy, determination and perseverance
· Reliability and integrity
PERSONAL QUALITIES
· Be an effective team player that works collaboratively and effectively with others
· Excellent interpersonal skills, communicating (verbally and in-writing) effectively to a wide range of audiences
· Support, motivate and inspire both colleagues and pupils by leading through example
· Suitability to work with children
· Confidence, warmth, sensitivity, reliability and enthusiasm
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES & COMMITMENT
· Commitment to equality of opportunity for all regardless of gender, disability, religion, and ethnic origin
· Demonstrate a commitment to:
· safeguarding and child protection equalities
· promoting the school’s vision, values and ethos
· high quality, stimulating learning environment
· relating positively to and showing respect for all members of the school and wider community
· ongoing relevant professional self-development
SPGS International School Chengdu is committed to ensuring and promoting the health and safety of children. Successful applicants will:
1. Participate in the school’s regular training on child protection, and sign the code of conduct
2. Immediately report to the designated or acting safeguarding lead for any potential risks for the children
3. Strictly abide by the school’s policies on information confidentiality and protection
4. Play the role of safeguarding members to promote and ensure the health and safety development of all students in the school
5. Report any students concerns to the designated or acting safeguarding lead
6. Report any unsafe behavior on campus to the designated or acting safety lead in accordance with the school’s “whistle blowing” policy
7. Maintain a professional relationship with students and respect and maintain personal boundaries
SPGS International School Chengdu is committed to safe recruitment and child protection, relevant qualifications and police clearance of applicants will be verified
Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities for the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified, especially in the context of a school which requires flexibility in all of its employees. This job description is current at the date shown but, in consultation with the post holder, may be changed by the Principal to reflect or anticipate changes in the job commensurate with the grade and job title.
