Deputy Head in Bengaluru (Job Vacancy)

JOB TITLE- Deputy Head

REPORTS TO Headmaster

WORKING HOURS- Full-Time

STARTING DATE- August 2024

BACKGROUND

Harrow International School, Bengaluru is the first of a series of Harrow International Schools to open across India, in a collaboration between Harrow School, UK and Amity Education Group, a not-for-profit education foundation based in New Delhi, India.

A co-educational boarding and day school, Harrow Bengaluru will have capacity for over 1,000 students, the majority of whom will be boarders aged 11 – 18. In the first phase of development, a combined Middle and Senior School (Years 7 – 13) has opened for pupils aged 11 to 18 years. The school blends the Harrow Values of Courage, Honour, Humility and Fellowship with the vibrancy of modern India, offering an exceptional educational experience characterized by world-class academic and extra-curricular opportunities. This, then, is a unique opportunity to play a role in the development of this new partnership and a new geography for the Harrow Family of Schools, with the support, resource, and experience of two leading educational brands.

Harrow Bengaluru opened in August 2023 in Devanahalli, a new part of the city in the northern corridor, close to Bengaluru International Airport. It offers students from Bengaluru, the region and throughout India, the opportunity to experience a British-style curriculum, learning approach and environment, combining academic excellence with a wide range of extra-curricular activities within a superbly equipped, large modern campus.

Students follow the National Curriculum for England, leading to IGCSE in Year 11 and A Levels/IB Diploma in Years 12 and 13. As at Harrow in the UK, the extra-curricular programme forms an integral part of a Harrow Bengaluru education with community links, sports, creativity, and service all playing their part.

Boarding is also a defining characteristic of the school; spacious, well equipped boarding houses ensure a strong community aspect to the boarding programme. A vibrant House system extends to day students as well and lies at the heart of a comprehensive pastoral care framework, which supports the character development, well-being, and resilience of students at Harrow Bengaluru. Bengaluru itself is a cosmopolitan, progressive, and well-developed city with a modern metro system and a lively dining and shopping scene. Known as “The Silicon Valley of India”, on account of a high concentration of IT companies and a Californian style climate of pleasant summers and mild winters, Bengaluru lies at an altitude of 945m above sea level, at the center of Southern India’s road and rail network, making it an ideal starting point for exploration around the country.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Harrow Bengaluru seeks an outstanding educationalist to join the Senior Leadership Team. They will be able to bring a very strong understanding of Indian culture and values, as well as a deep understanding of the needs of Indian parents, as well as Indian laws and methods of operation where they apply to secondary schooling. The role may be suited to a candidate who is currently working within a boarding school leadership team or is currently a house mistress of house master in a highly regarded boarding school.

The Deputy Head will take joint responsibility, with other members of the Senior Leadership Team, to develop strategy and implement procedures across the school, working closely with the Founding Headmaster.

They will take the lead on specific aspects of school life. There is flexibility as to which areas they may focus upon. However, as a school with a strong commitment to boarding life, outstanding pastoral care and a broad and deep cocurricular programme, experience in one of more of these areas will be a particular advantage.

Experience in teaching an academic subject up to Grade 12, at a high achieving school offering an international curriculum, will be essential, as the Deputy Head will need a thorough understanding of the courses our teachers are delivering. They will also require outstanding people management skills as they will lead teams of teaching and nonteaching staff to support the development of an exceptional school environment. As a Senior Leadership Team member, they will furthermore assist in establishing and maintaining a globally minded, vibrant and thriving school, hence driving forward a high-quality educational programme in a safe, positive and healthy campus. A highly collaborative nature and strong communication skills will be essential, allowing the development of supportive relationships with staff, students, and parents, as well as a strong departmental team. Whilst there is a flexibility in the precise content of the role, a readiness to play a role in the following areas will be valuable:

Oversight of Pastoral Care and Boarding

Leadership of safeguarding arrangements

Oversight and management of student behavior

Leadership of the Co-Curricular Programme

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

Experience as a middle or senior leader in a highly regarded school.

A strong familiarity with Indian culture and the expectations of Indian parents.

Experience working within a multi-cultural environment

Experience of working in a school which places the highest importance upon student safeguarding.

Experience in both working alongside and managing middle level managers.

Experience in highly effective relationship management with a variety of stakeholders.

Knowledge and understanding of positive behavior management of students and evidence of effective practice in a range of settings.

DESIRABLE

Experience in supporting learners with diverse needs, including EAL students.

Experience in both a high achieving international school environment and a well-established boarding school.

Experience of working collaboratively to achieve shared goals.

Experience in a high achieving academic school.

SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND ATTRIBUTES

A collaborative nature but also the motivation to work independently.

The sensitivity to ensure all within a diverse community feel included, respected and supported.

Outstandingly strong written and spoken English, allowing excellent written and verbal communications.

Outstanding verbal communication skills, allowing sensitive and constructive interaction with all stakeholders.

Respect for all members of a school community, irrespective of position, gender, age and ethnicity.

Knowledge and experience of how to use ICT effectively in promoting student learning.

A willingness to engage with the co-curricular programme.

The ability to inspire students and a desire to lead them towards outstanding academic outcomes.

Honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, energy, and a positive nature.

Empathy, humility, and genuine care for students and staff, with a willingness to take the time to motivate and listen to them.

Excellent organizational and administrative skills.

The ability to lead by example and role model the school’s vision statement.

Be highly motivated, ambitious, collaborative and willing to take the initiative.

An ability to think strategically and drive improvements in students’ pastoral experiences.

Strategic leadership skills and the ability to lead a team to deliver the school development plan effectively.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND TRAINING

ESSENTIAL

A strong and relevant bachelor’s degree from a highly respected University.

Evidence of relevant and challenging continuing professional development.

Knowledge of international safeguarding requirements and related inspection procedures.

A working knowledge of international curriculum such as the IB Diploma, Cambridge IGCSE/A level or Pearson Edexcel IGCSE/A level.

DESIRABLE

Recent safeguarding-related professional development.

Well-developed ICT skills, with a willingness to apply these to an educational context.

PERSON SPECIFICATION – Deputy Head

All HISL members of staff are expected to conduct themselves in line with the values of Harrow School which are:

Courage, Honour, Humility and Fellowship. While the School’s values set out what matters most, the behaviours below are intended as a shared set of expectations to refer to, and standards to aspire to, in our dealings with others. they are the practical application of Harrow School’s values.

COURAGE

We remain optimistic and purposeful in a disrupted world.

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