Head of Secondary

Job Overview

Head of Secondary – Role Profile

Job Purpose

We are seeking an experienced Heads of Secondary to join our schools in the Middle East and play a key role in leading the school strategically, operationally, and financially. The successful candidates will work closely with our Principals and Leadership Teams to embed the whole school vision while ensuring an exceptional learning experience for all students.

The Head Of Secondary Will

• Provide dynamic leadership, ensuring high-quality teaching and learning across all subject areas in line with ISP’s Learning First strategy.
• Lead on recruitment, development, and performance of faculty, fostering a culture of professional growth.
• Oversee student academic progress, wellbeing, and personal development, ensuring every learner thrives.
• Strengthen vertical alignment with the Heads of Primary, ensuring smooth transitions and a coherent learning journey across the school.
• Champion student voice and leadership, expanding opportunities for young people to take ownership of their learning and community.
  
  

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

Candidate Profile

We Are Looking For Individuals Who Are

• Experienced school leaders with a proven record of driving improvement and impact in US, IB and UK curricula settings.
• A visible and influential presence within the school community, able to inspire confidence and respect.
• Skilled in leading teams, managing change, and promoting innovative approaches to learning.
• Deeply committed to learning and the holistic development of every student.
  
  

Core Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Ensure that learning is the core of every decision and initiative.
• Lead and oversee the day-to-day operation of the Secondary School, ensuring alignment with the school and ISP’s mission and values.
• Safeguard the welfare of all students in line with ISP and school policies.
• Manage staffing, timetabling, and resources to ensure efficiency and high standards.
• Drive secondary school planning, including the School Improvement Plan and Learning Improvement Process linked to whole-school priorities.
• Line manage and mentor faculty and middle leaders, building leadership capacity across the team.
• Develop and monitor policies, procedures, and handbooks to ensure clarity and consistency.
  
  

Learning & Curriculum

• Lead the learning across the school ensuring students experience High Impact Lessons.
• Ensure the curriculum reflects the school’s vision and meets the diverse needs of learners across US, UK, and IB pathways.
• Oversee assessment, data tracking, and reporting to drive student achievement and inform decision-making in line with ISPs academic Achievement Pillar.
• Lead quality assurance of learning and teaching, embedding a culture of continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective vertical articulation of programmes to secure smooth student progression.
• Promote and embed Learning First, Multilingualism, Future Pathways, International Opportunities and Life Competencies.
  
  

Student Experience & Community

• Create a safe, inclusive, and ambitious environment where every student is challenged and supported.
• Oversee pastoral systems, wellbeing initiatives, and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Champion co-curricular activities, student leadership, and service-learning opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with parents and the wider community, ensuring clear and transparent communication.
  
  

ISP Leadership Competencies

You consistently demonstrate and role-model the ISP Leadership Competencies in all that you do.

• Collaboration. Takes an active part in leading their school or region; is cooperative and a genuine team player, developing positive, supportive relationships with colleagues to solve problems and maximise opportunities.
• Learning & Getting Better. Continually demonstrates personal commitment and passion for learning and getting better using evidence and feedback; supporting others in their continual learning, development and growth.
• Innovation Leadership. Is good at creating an environment where ideas for learning initiatives and services are generated and is able to motivate and inspire others through the process of creation through to completion.
• Outcome driven. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to exceed goals and is focused on KPIs.
• Resilience. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.
• Community Focus. Is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our students and their families.
• Integrity & Ethical Management. Has the ability to work ethically and with integrity; helps others feel valued; upholds and models the ISP Vision, Purpose and Principles.
• Leading & Inspiring Others. Supports, encourages and inspires students, colleagues and teams so that they give their best.
• Understanding People. Is a very good judge of talent, can objectively articulate the strengths and motivations of people inside or outside the organisation.
• Influencing & Communication. Consistently informs, influences and inspires students, parents and colleagues through timely and effective communication.
• Agile. Responds and adapts to changing circumstances; manages and solves problems by providing solutions in a climate of ambiguity.
• Strategic, Commercial & Financial Awareness. Has the ability to apply understanding of the business and industry to improve effectiveness and profitability.
• Planning & Decision Making. Makes decisions on the best course of action and then plans, organises, prioritises and balances resources to achieve the desired outcome.
• Diversity & Equity. Has the sensitivity, awareness and skill to understand the values, behaviours, attitudes and practices across cultures that supports all children and adults to learn and work effectively.
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university (Essential)
• Postgraduate or higher qualification in education (PGCE; HDip Ed; Teaching License). (Essential)
• Leadership Qualifications (MA Educational Leadership/ NPQH or equivalent)
• Prior senior leadership experience in a secondary or through-school setting (e.g., Deputy Head, Vice Principal).
• Proven experience raising academic standards and achieving high outcomes in external assessments.
• Knowledge and experience of international curricula (IBDP, IGCSE, A Level, US High School/AP).
• Proven success in school improvement, staff development, and raising student outcomes.
• Experience working in international schools and/or in the Middle East(desirable).
• Inspection experience with agencies such as Ofsted, COBIS, Neasc or BSO.
  
  

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.

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