Assistant Head Academic at St Andrew’s School

The Role 

St Andrew’s School Turi welcomes applications for the role of Assistant Head Academic (AHA). The Assistant Head Academic (AHA), reporting to the Deputy Head Academic, is a member of the Senior School Management Team (SSMT) and a leading member of the Academic Management Team.

Alongside duties connected to being a member of the SSMT, responsibilities of the AHA include managing and leading on data analysis, timetabling, assessments, reporting and cover, as well as line managing different academic teams, including Exams. The successful candidate will be well supported in their post, and will be offered quality continuing professional development as they grow in their role and their leadership.

Please note that, while this is a significant whole school responsibility, the successful candidate will also have up to a 0.7 teaching timetable. With departing staff teaching Mathematics, History and Psychology (teaching posts to be advertised separately), an ability to teach one of these would be an advantage – but for the right candidate there is flexibility.

St Andrew’s School is embarking on a major investment in school resources, including the construction of new classrooms, boarding houses and a designated STEAM centre.  The successful candidate will have a key role in shaping the future of St Andrew’s.

If this position excites you, apply, and I look forward to hearing from you and ask that you bring your passion, energy and innovative ideas that could contribute to our school community. In return, we will offer a warm and committed staffroom of highly professional colleagues who delight in guiding our students to seek their highest and students who are committed to improving themselves. We will offer you a home in a safe, beautiful and rural situation within Kenya – a country that demands to be explored – with easy access to countryside, wildlife, culture and the Indian Ocean.

The School 

St Andrew’s, Turi is one of the leading international schools in Africa. Founded in 1931, it has grown to comprise both Preparatory and Senior Schools. St Andrew’s is a full boarding school, situated on a beautiful 450- acre site on the western slopes of the Rift Valley, North West of Nairobi, and at an altitude of 2500m (making it malaria free) where the wonderful climate makes it one of the most sought-after places to live in Kenya.

St Andrew’s has a strong Christian foundation and ethos, which continue to define and govern the nature and work of the School. The Senior School has over 365 students (The Prep School has 230 students) from over 25 nations, with the majority hailing from Africa. The School’s distinctive Christian character is evident in all aspects of School life, with children from all faith backgrounds welcome.

Person Specification 

Working at St Andrew’s, Turi, is an exciting and dynamic experience. Our desire is to recruit committed and resourceful staff, who are looking to develop their skills and leadership capacities and embrace new experiences and challenges.

Knowledge and Experience

Qualifications

• A good degree
• Relevant post graduate study
• A teaching qualification
• An additional qualification of educational management

Knowledge

• A clear understanding of and affinity for the school’s ethos
• Knowledge of the requirements and operation of ISI or equivalent inspectorate.
• An understanding of effective leadership and management in relation to outstanding academic provision

Experience

• Leadership experience, including energy, resilience, and a track record of enthusing and motivating others
• Working at a Management level
• Evidence of leadership and management of people, resources, innovation and improvement
• Relevant experience of working in an independent school and/or boarding school
• Evidence of good management which incorporates detailed planning, successful implementation and effective monitoring and evaluation strategies
• Experience of successfully managing budgets and delivering against objectives
• Data analysis leading to improved students outcomes
• Experience of supporting, training and helping to co-ordinate the professional development of colleagues

Skills and Attributes

The successful candidate will have:

• Purpose, the highest standards of personal integrity, someone who seeks the highest in all they do
• A strong personal empathy with the School’s Christian ethos
• An outstanding understanding of the collection, analysis and use of data to improve student outcomes
• A supportive, encouraging, compassionate and inclusive professional demeanor
• Impressive personal presence and presentation
• Excellent literate and numerate skills, be excellent in the use of IT and with a keen eye for detail
• High work standards evidenced by a consistently thorough detailed and organised approach
• The presence, intellect, tact and credibility to represent the School at all levels and to a variety of audiences
• Vision, creativity and imagination combined with the ability to operate at a strategic level
• First class oral and written communication, and presentation skills
• High levels of discretion and confidentiality
• The ability to manage and prioritise a diverse workload, to meet deadlines and to work calmly under pressure

Responsibilities

The overarching responsibilities of the role include:

• Establishing and developing a culture of excellence
• Ensuring the reputation and delivery of academic excellence at the Senior School
• Developing and improving the overall quality of academic provision
• Facilitating the integration of the academic programme within the broader scope of the Senior School
• Ensuring accurate reporting data and identifying trends to improve academic outcomes for all
• Promoting the Christian ethos of the school

The Package

There is a generous overall remuneration package as detailed below:

• Salary: The successful applicant will receive a salary commensurate with their experience and qualifications
• Accommodation: Suitable rent-free accommodation will be provided as a taxable benefit. Domestic and gardening help is arranged by the School, but paid for, at local rates, by the applicant.
• School fees (where applicable): There is a 100% fee remission for staff children throughout the School; places are subject to the School’s normal entry requirements.  80% of the tax due will be covered by an extra allowance.
• Medical care: All members of staff and their families (below 18 years) are covered under a comprehensive insurance scheme.
• Pension: The School operates a defined contribution pension scheme in which the employer and employee each contribute 6% of the monthly salary. For employees leaving Kenya at the end of their contract, the full value of the contributions, plus accumulated interest, can be withdrawn from the scheme.
• Relocation: Outward and return flights for the applicant, and for his/her spouse and dependent children [up to the age of 18] as applicable, together with a freight allowance, at the beginning and end of the contract period, are paid for by the School. This is applicable to staff recruited from outside the country.
• Meals: These are provided during term time as a taxable benefit.
• Facilities: Extensive recreational facilities are open to use by staff and their families. The onsite Phoenix Club, serving a wide range of food and beverages, acts as a wonderful social hub for the staff community and their families throughout the year.