Role and responsibilities
ACS Cobham is a leading International day and boarding school for students aged 2 to 18. With world class teaching and facilities we enable our students to discover their true potential, stand out and achieve excellence.
Our Campus is set in 128 acres of Surrey countryside with two Boarding Houses on site. Our outdoor campus provides the opportunity for learning beyond the classroom.
The Cobham Campus is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to nurture the minds and talents of our students. From cutting-edge science labs, inspiring art studios and state-of-the-art sports centre, our commitment to excellence extends across every corner of our campus. As of 2024 ACS Cobham school is structured as below with on average 1250 students, of which 190 are boarders.
Senior School
Middle School
Upper School
High School
(including Boarding)
Lower School
Early Childhood
K-4
The Head of School will promote ACS vision and values, and put our educational philosophy into practice through day-to-day interactions with the Cobham school community, ensuring the delivery of an impactful, enriched, child-centered programme.
The Head of School will be an integral member of the ACS International Schools Leadership Team in the further development of the group’s strategic vision. The Leadership Team has accountability and authority to develop and implement future strategy of the group under the guidance of the ACS Board of Trustees, whose members represent a wide range of skills and experiences that add to overall organizational capability.
Reporting to the Chief Executive, the new Head of School must have the inspirational leadership skills and flair for innovation required to build creatively on this legacy of successful growth and achievement, and so move the school to the next level.
KEY TO SUCCESS ARE THE FOLLOWING:
Promoting the ACS vision and values, philosophy and ethos through day-to-day interactions with the whole ACS community of staff, students and parents.
As a key member of the ACS Leadership Team, being a strong strategic, inspirational and collaborative leader, delivering the School and ACS Education, Partnership, People and Growth strategies.
Having international experience at this senior level including substantial experience in strong IB schools and knowledge/experience of national and international programmes and educational standards.
Being passionate about holistic student education, and about the professional development of all ACS Cobham staff.
Having a strategic understanding of enrolment strategies including growth and financial management.
Supporting teaching excellence through professional effectiveness systems, to deliver improved student learning outcomes.
Experience of leading a school with boarding facilities is strongly desired.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
School Leadership
Contribute to strategy development across the ACS International Schools and work with the Board of Trustees, Leadership Team, school staff and community to develop a strategic plan for the school’s future.
Refine and review the school’s improvement plan based on ACE Learning Principles, ISI standards, and IB Programme Standards and Practices.
Provide international education vision and direction by identifying and empowering staff to implement effective practice in teaching and learning.
Further development and execution of 10-year Master Facilities Plan, as a key stakeholder in £10M+ Capital Expenditure plan.
Use data and the benchmarking of every child’s learning to drive instruction strategies and curriculum development, incorporating new technologies into teaching and learning.
Establish a detailed programme for faculty and staff professional development, to help lead and direct teachers to continuously improve their performance and achieve academic excellence.
Implement Education Strategy and meet annual KPIs in the Education Quality Framework.
Contribute widely as part of the Leadership Team and Heads of School Committee.
Curriculum and Assessment
In collaboration with the Director of Education to lead curriculum development and assessment practice, ensuring high standards for teaching excellence in line with ACS professional effectiveness standards.
Take the lead on the development of the curriculum delivered within ACS Cobham, ensuring that the process is on-going and inclusive of the concepts of assessment, learning styles and differentiation, so that the curriculum the School offers is both international and future focused, informs, inspires, challenges and develops every child and meets the inspection, accreditation and evaluation processes of ISI, NEASC and IBO.
Ensure the development and implementation of an equitable and inclusive learning community.
Drive innovative practice and create conditions for successful technology integration and the development of high-quality digital learning environments.
Champion social and emotional learning as key factors in personal and academic success.
Health, safety and well-being (including safeguarding)
Take an active interest in the daily life of all students, ensuring discipline and high standards of behaviour and attendance, and motivating them to achieve their potential for personal and academic growth.
Monitor and review the range of academic, university and career and social/emotional guidance services for students to ensure best practice is adopted, students’ welfare is safeguarded, and high standards are maintained.
Maintain an extensive co-curricular programme, including a large variety of activities and sporting teams for students, to enhance the breadth of opportunities that the school offers and to promote a positive school culture.
Staff recruitment, development, and retention
Lead the recruitment and retention of talented, high performing professional and support staff to deliver the ACS vision and values.
Ensure high standards and continued educational developments by monitoring performance data working with Principals and other senior leaders to ensure effective teaching practice along with innovation and improvements.
Support staff professional learning and growth, championing staff welfare and wellbeing.
Facilities and operation
Develop and maintain the school’s facilities in line with ACS Cobham’s ‘MasterPlan’ working closely with the Facilities and Projects team, to ensure the campus is safe and offers the best possible learning-centered environment for students and staff.
Ensure the safe and efficient operation of the school’s physical plant and campus.
Community engagement
Maintain a high profile and positive image for the school, including prospective and current families, across a wide range of local and expatriate addressable markets.
Promote the school in the local community and more broadly across the local region and on the international stage.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents and the wider community to ensure they support the school’s direction and understand the school’s ethos and approach.
Enrolment, finance, and budget control
Drive and enable student enrolment management and growth with rolling enrolment, so that student places are filled with suitably qualified children and young people each year.
Develop a structure for building a school budget based on needs and maintain control of agreed financial budgets to ensure financial plans are met.
Partnerships and bursaries
In collaboration with the Partnership Director, enable and grow a hub partnership community with state schools in the local area.
Actively support the bursary programme to widen access and enhance the student and school community.
Development, fundraising and alumni relations
Work closely with the Advancement Director and Head of Development to further develop a culture of philanthropy and giving with parents and alumni.
COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The Head of School will work closely with the following groups of people, among others:
Students and parents, including the Parent Student Organisation and its leaders
School leadership team and staff
Board and Group Services staff
Group Services functional departments
Other educational leaders in ACS, including the Education Strategy Services Team
Other schools within and outside ACS contribute to the development of the education system, to foster a network of contacts in local, private, and international schools.
ACS COBHAM – HEAD OF SCHOOL – PERSON SPECIFICATION
Enthusiasm and passion for the role is expected as a given. The ideal candidate will be an experienced school leader, who demonstrates the following:
Experience
A track record of successful school leadership and management, preferably within a Boarding environment, in an international context, including experience of the following specific areas.
Achieving high educational standards, as assessed by international and local regulators and inspection organisations.
Commitment to the AP and IB programmes and understanding of their successful implementation, including continuity and transitions between programmes.
Managing innovative change, to ensure continuous school improvement.
Motivating staff to give their best, recognising them when things go well and coaching as necessary for performance improvement, to build morale and personal esteem.
All aspects of school financial management, including management of budgets.
Managing enrollment.
Promoting international-mindedness in staff and students.
Managing parent and alumni fundraising and engagement programmes.
Knowledge, skills, qualities and competencies
Collaborative and inspirational leadership style, based on excellent interpersonal, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to create a sense of community, through being an involved and visible presence on campus.
Passion for holistic education and people development.
Tact, diplomacy and proven emotional intelligence.
Personal impact and presence, recognised as credible by other academic leaders.
Ability to build a network of contacts across various stakeholder groups and disciplines.
Competency with a range of digital management tools and learning technologies.
Understanding of school enrolment strategies within an organisational business model.
Up-to-date knowledge of the ISI framework as well as NEASC accreditation, and IB Programme Standards and Practices.
Good understanding of national education policies, legislation and compliance.
ACS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and as an employee of ACS you are expected to share this commitment. The protection of our students’ welfare is the responsibility of all staff within ACS International Schools, and individuals are expected to conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of our organisation.
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
The school will offer a highly competitive package reflecting the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience. The Head of School’s salary is normally subject to annual review.
Benefits in addition to an attractive salary are likely to include the following:
Single private medical insurance (PMI) cover
Life Assurance
Group Income Protection Scheme
Up to 10% matched employer contribution into the ACS pension scheme
Employee assistance programme for all well-being needs
Housing on site at ACS Cobham and relocation package
Annual home leave allowance (subject to eligibility)
Full sponsorship of a Tier 2 visa to ensure right to work in the UK
Bursary for education of school-age children (according to the ACS Bursary Policy)
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
ACS International Schools are keen to attract suitably qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, particularly candidates whose gender, race, nationality or identity is currently under-represented in international school leadership. Suitably qualified candidates should send their application including all items below to:
Charlotte Collins, Recruitment Business Partner, ccollins@acs-schools.com
Letter of application (no more than one page), briefly outlining why the candidate wishes to apply for this position and what specific skills, qualities and experience they can offer
CV/résumé (no more than two pages)
Short statement of educational and leadership philosophy (no more than one page)
It is expected that interviews will take place during October and November 2024. However, ACS reserves the right to invite selected candidates to interviews in advance of this schedule.
Final Application closing date: Friday October 11th
