Assistant Head of Secondary (50% Teaching)

About This Role

Job Description Key Duties and Areas of Responsibility Operational

• 50% teaching commitment
• 50% non-teaching commitment dedicated to leadership and management
• Lead the daily operational management of the High School, ensuring smooth and efficient systems and routines
• Ensure the High School embodies the school’s mission, vision, and values
• Lead academic progress monitoring including:

• Implementation of support following GPA tracking
• Credit accumulation and graduation requirement monitoring
• Transcript management
• Continuous assessment systems

• Oversee the implementation of the High School Diploma framework, ensuring compliance with MOEHE requirements
• Support the IBDP coordinator in the IBDP programme administration
• Support the construction of the Secondary timetable to ensure balanced teaching loads and equitable access to Diploma courses
• Maintain an up-to-date overview of the High School Diploma curriculum, including elective programmes, graduation pathways, and academic expectations
• Provide strategic leadership to secure outstanding teaching, learning, and student outcomes
• Promote a professional learning culture while supporting staff wellbeing
• Carry out the DDSL role (Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead) within the Secondary School
• Ensure all regulations related to the High School Diploma, school accreditation, and MOEHE standards are fully met
• Contribute to whole-school strategic planning, policy development and improvement planning
• Support cover arrangements for absent staff
• Model excellent classroom practice
• Stay informed of international school trends, Diploma model developments, and research-based pedagogy

Curriculum

• Oversee the High School Diploma curriculum including core subjects, electives, advisory, and graduation pathways
• Advise on curriculum mapping across Grades 9–12 to ensure continuity, progression, and readiness for college
• Ensure alignment between credit-bearing courses and graduation requirements
• Lead regular reviews of courses, credits, instructional delivery, and assessment practice
• Oversee academic reporting, including:

• Standards-based grading
• GPA calculations
• Transcript accuracy
• College-ready documentation

• Lead student options and course selection processes
• Support whole-school accreditation processes with responsibility for the High School component
• Support integration of college and career readiness standards, including SAT preparation.

Staff

• Support the effective orientation and induction of High School teachers
• Provide coaching, guidance and professional support for High School staff
• Offer timely advice to the Head of Secondary regarding staffing, deployment and recruitment needs
• Ensure staff have access to relevant, high-quality professional development
• Communicate effectively with High School staff through notices, briefings and ongoing updates
• Ensure the Head of Secondary is kept well informed about High School operations, concerns and achievements
• Support staff in their communication with parents and guardians
• Ensure high-quality standards for all academic reports, transcripts and formal communication
• Line manage Subject Leaders and Grade Leaders and the school Academic counsellor as assigned

Students

• Ensure High School students receive exceptional learning and growth opportunities
• Oversee High School admissions processes with the Admissions Team, including transcript evaluation and placement decisions
• Accuracy of high school students' timetables
• Build strong, respectful relationships with students
• Maintain high standards for student conduct, attendance, punctuality and academic honesty
• Support student wellbeing and pastoral care in High School
• Ensure the health and safety of all High School students, staff and visitors
• Oversee student progress toward graduation, including:

• Credit audits
• Academic interventions
• Individual learning plans
• Academic probation processes where appropriate

Secondary School Profile

• Lead communication with parents regarding High School pathways, credits, academic progress, and college preparation
• Support the school’s wider profile within the local and international community
• Encourage meaningful parent engagement through information evenings, college preparation sessions, and parent meetings
• Maintain an approachable, professional and visible presence for students and parents

Health and Safety

• Promote a strong safety culture across the High School
• Ensure students understand expectations for safe conduct across academic and co-curricular programmes
• Enforce compliance with school health, safety and safeguarding policies
• Protect students, staff, equipment and facilities through consistent supervision and awareness
• Support risk management and adherence to safety protocols across all High School learning environments

Other Duties And Responsibilities

• Any other duties that the Principal may from time to time ask the post-holder to perform

Required Skills And Knowledge Education

• Bachelor’s Degree and teaching qualification from an accredited institution
• Required MOEHE teaching certification
• Minimum 2 years leadership experience
• Completion of all mandatory safeguarding and child protection training

Knowledge

• Deep understanding of the High School Diploma framework, credit systems, and graduation pathways
• Knowledge of transcript-based reporting, GPA systems, credit recovery, and academic counselling
• Up-to-date awareness of international curriculum trends and college admissions expectations
• Understanding of effective pedagogy and strategies to meet diverse student needs
• Understanding of IBDP awarding criteria

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for multiple audiences
• High level of ICT competency, including SIS use (e.g., iSAMS, etc.)
• Proven leadership, organisational and management skills

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about student achievement and high-quality education
• Able to inspire confidence in staff, students and parents
• Highly organised with the ability to meet deadlines reliably
• Motivated by school improvement and innovation
• Detail-oriented, dependable and committed to excellence
• Flexible, open to change and innovative in approach
• Collaborative and effective in building strong professional relationships
• Consistently punctual, professional and reliable

ISP Principles Begin with our children and students . Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding

and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect . We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.