Deputy Head of School (Academic)

JOB TITLE: Director of Study, Whole School
LOCATION: Guangzhou, China (Well-known K12 British International School)
START DATE: ASAP or Feb 2027

JOB PURPOSE
Provide leadership, direction, and guidance to academic SLT members on curriculum quality and student achievement. Shape the school’s future academic direction as a key member of the SLT and wider organisational leadership team. Report to the Principal, with overall responsibility for leading, organising, and managing academic provision, promoting an inspiring vision for teaching and learning, and driving student performance and enrolment growth.

REPORTING TO: Principal
DIRECT REPORTS: Head of Primary (Academic), Head of Secondary (Academic)
KEY INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS: Teaching/support staff, students

KEY RESULT AREAS & PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Strategic Planning & Vision

Lead academic strategy development with the Head of School and QA/assessment staff.

Ensure a balanced, challenging curriculum for bilingual learners preparing for IGCSE, IB, A-Level, and Chinese exams.

Oversee academic monitoring/evaluation cycles, maintaining high standards and a positive learning culture.

Benchmark against competitors; evaluate school performance and identify improvement priorities.

Attract, develop, retain, and manage teaching staff; promote excellence, equality, and high expectations.
Performance measures: NAE performance management evaluation; professional development feedback; departmental QA feedback; parent survey outcomes.

Curriculum, Assessment & Systems Setup

Lead whole-school curriculum and assessment framework design/implementation, ensuring alignment and consistency across primary, secondary, and bilingual streams.

Oversee student performance tracking/data systems to support teaching quality, interventions, and curriculum refinement.

Coordinate curriculum delivery reviews and student placement adjustments based on data.

Establish clear processes for academic data analysis, benchmarking, and improvement planning aligned with Nord Anglia Education requirements.

Front of House: Admissions & Marketing

Assist Principal and MAC in whole-school marketing to support growth.

Support admissions by arranging academic team coverage for prospective parent events.

Contribute to marketing initiatives promoting the school’s educational strategy and unique advantages.

Ensure international teaching staff understand the school’s and organisation’s vision/philosophy/mission from educational and commercial perspectives.

Act as an ambassador with key influencers and prospective parents; communicate regularly with parents to build advocacy.
Performance measures: Event participation and feedback.

Leadership in Teaching & Learning

Create an environment where achievement is central to all activities.

Utilise educational collaborations, programmes, and global campus resources to promote outstanding student opportunities.

Foster personal accountability and passion for education.

Regularly review curriculum for effective delivery and relevance.

Promote students’ personal/social development through curriculum and activities.

Monitor and improve teaching standards to promote excellence.
Performance measures: Student survey feedback; student attainment/achievement data; student behaviour data.

Operational Expertise & Resource Management

Ensure efficient use of teaching resources to achieve educational/operational excellence.

Produce, implement, and review strategic development plans.
Performance measures: Audit and compliance results meeting organisational standards.

Support the Principal in managing the school’s budget in line with organisational policy.

Contribute to establishing best practices shareable across the wider organisation.

Recruiting & Developing Talent

Appoint teachers in line with organisational principles for outstanding schools.

Promote and support performance management and professional development for all teaching staff.

Promote staff wellbeing to maximise contribution and job satisfaction.

Demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional development of all employees.
Performance measures: Teacher retention; professional development participation and satisfaction.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications

University degree (Honours Degree)

Recognised teaching qualification

Evidence of continuing professional development

Further degree in education or leadership (desirable)

Skills & Knowledge

Strategic leadership ability to design/execute academic strategies aligned with the school’s vision.

Deep understanding of international curricula (IB and A-Level) and integration with the Chinese National Curriculum.

School leadership experience with responsibility for education, operations, and commercial aspects (budget setting/control).

Awareness of current educational issues and curriculum developments.

Application of effective teaching/learning strategies achieving high standards and pupil outcomes.

Effective strategies for maximising student enrolment and commercial success, including personal involvement in school promotion.

Understanding of how international schools differ from state-maintained schools.

Experience developing/implementing quality improvement programmes, including raising achievement and school self-evaluation.

Understanding of setting appropriate school performance targets and preparing/monitoring/evaluating action plans.

Experience in premises development.

Proven experience leading, participating in, and building/developing people and successful teams, and managing change.

Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.

Ability to work as part of a wider group of schools and represent the vision of the larger organisation.

Ability to inspire, enthuse, and secure the loyalty/confidence of students, staff, and parents.

Ability to handle parental concerns effectively, balancing customer views with educational/operational principles.

Commitment to the whole life of the school, including events and after-school activities.

Ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences.

Personal Attributes

Collaborate with Empathy: Team player who shares knowledge; understands others’ culture/background/needs; self-aware and adapts behaviour for collaboration.

Communicate with Impact: Communicates openly, transparently, and kindly; influences and encourages others; builds trust and positively impacts students’ lives.

Make Considered Decisions: Acts with integrity, using data/insights to support decisions that best serve students, school communities, and the wider organisation.

Embrace Change: Works effectively in changing environments; adaptable and motivated to improve the school.

Drive Growth: Entrepreneurial and strategic thinker; challenges self and others to deliver outstanding commercial performance, leading to growth and exceptional student experiences.

BENEFITS

Competitive annual salary (commensurate with experience and qualifications)

Monthly housing allowance

Annual flight allowance for employee and dependents

Relocation allowance

Tuition waiver

Medical insurance

Paid school holidays, plus sick and personal leave

Contract completion bonus