Job Description
Assistant Head of Primary – Teaching and Learning
Type: Permanent
Department: Academic
Line Manager: Head of Primary
____________________________________________________________________________
Job Purpose
The Assistant Head of Primary – Teaching & Learning plays a pivotal role in providing proactive and responsive instructional leadership to engage staff, students, and families in the delivery of high-quality teaching and learning. The role ensures that academic, curricular, and learning pathways for all Primary students are coherent, rigorous, and aligned with the school's American curriculum framework and improvement priorities.
Reporting to the Head of Primary, the Assistant Head of Primary – Teaching & Learning supports and promotes a culture of growth, purpose, and belonging, where high expectations for learning are balanced with support, reflection, and continuous improvement across the Primary School.
Leadership & Strategic Contribution
The Assistant Head of Primary – Teaching & Learning shares with all colleagues responsibility for:
- Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students in Primary, in line with school safeguarding policies and professional codes of conduct.
- Work in partnership with the Head of Primary and fellow Assistant Heads to contribute to strategic planning, policy development, and the delivery of agreed school priorities, ensuring a coherent and aligned approach across the Primary School. The Assistant Heads maintain shared awareness of key priorities and developments across Teaching & Learning and Student Life to enable effective leadership continuity and mutual cover in the absence of the Head of Primary or a fellow Assistant Head.
- Contributing to a consistent, positive, and inclusive school culture.
- Supporting high standards of student behavior through clear expectations and consistent practice.
- Maintaining high-quality learning environments that support student engagement and achievement.
- Ensuring the appropriate use, storage, and care of curriculum and year-level resources.
- Keeping up to date with developments in educational best practice and statutory requirements.
- Supporting the consistent implementation of school policies and procedures.
Teaching Commitment
- The Assistant Head of Primary – Teaching & Learning maintains an active teaching commitment of up to 50%, ensuring close connection to classroom practice while fulfilling leadership responsibilities. Teaching allocations are reviewed annually in line with school priorities and operational needs.
Instructional Leadership
- Serve as a leader of learning, modeling and promoting high-quality instructional practice across the Primary School.
- Lead and support consistently high standards of teaching and learning through regular learning walks, classroom observations, and professional feedback cycles.
- Monitor, evaluate, and enhance instructional practice to ensure strong student engagement, progress, and achievement.
- Promote effective, research-informed instructional strategies aligned with school expectations, improvement priorities, and the American curriculum framework.
- Support a culture of challenge and support, where all students are actively engaged in their learning and encouraged to achieve their full potential.
- Teach to an exemplary standard and serve as a visible instructional role model for staff and students.
Curriculum & Assessment
- Provide strategic leadership for curriculum alignment and coherence across Primary, ensuring alignment with AERO standards and school-defined scope and sequence.
- Lead the development and review of an engaging, rigorous, and developmentally appropriate Primary curriculum.
- Oversee assessment practices, including MAP, internal benchmarks, and moderation processes, ensuring consistency and reliability across grade levels.
- Lead data-informed decision-making by analyzing and communicating student performance, progress, and trends to support instructional improvement.
- Support teachers in using assessment data to inform planning, differentiation, and targeted instructional strategies.
- Contribute to quality assurance processes related to curriculum effectiveness and student outcomes.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Line manage and support Primary Subject Leads (English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science/Social Studies), including goal-setting, coaching, and performance development.
- Provide instructional guidance to Grade Level Leaders in collaboration with the Assistant Head of Primary – Student Life.
- Work closely with the Assistant Head of Early Childhood to ensure curriculum continuity and progression across divisions.
- Model professionalism, reflective practice, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Professional Learning
- Lead and support professional learning aligned with instructional priorities and school improvement goals.
- Design, deliver, and evaluate professional development opportunities that strengthen teaching practice and student outcomes.
- Coach and mentor teachers to support reflective practice, professional growth, and instructional improvement.
- Support the induction and development of new and early-career teachers.
- Contribute to the development of leadership capacity within the Primary team, including supporting emerging instructional leaders.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
- Foster strong relationships with parents, students, and the wider school community to ensure transparent and effective communication.
- Communicate clearly with parents and staff regarding curriculum, assessment, and learning expectations as appropriate.
- Support academic-focused parent engagement in collaboration with the Head of Primary and Assistant Head of Primary – Student Life.
Safeguarding, Compliance & Professional Responsibility
- Serve as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Deputy DSL).
- Support safeguarding procedures, reporting, and professional awareness across Primary.
- Promote a culture of student safety, wellbeing, and professional responsibility.
- Support compliance with local and international regulatory requirements, including ISP, NEASC, and MoEHE, in collaboration with senior leadership.
Operational & Professional Expectations
- Support the effective day-to-day operation of the Primary School through visible leadership and professional presence.
- Participate in relevant leadership forums and committees as required.
- Undertake professional duties reasonably delegated by the Head of Primary, including activities outside the normal school day when necessary.
Position Requirements
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field from an accredited institution.
- Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field is preferred.
Experience
- Minimum of three years of leadership experience in a Primary or comparable school setting.
- Demonstrated experience leading teaching and learning, curriculum development, and assessment practices.
- Experience supporting teacher development through observation, feedback, coaching, or professional learning.
- Experience working within an American or American-international curriculum framework is strongly preferred.
Language: English is mandatory
Professional Knowledge And Skills
- Strong understanding of effective instructional practices and curriculum design in Primary education.
- Experience using student performance data (e.g., MAP or similar assessments) to inform instructional improvement.
- Ability to lead, support, and evaluate instructional staff and subject leaders.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to think strategically while remaining closely connected to classroom practice.
- Ability to foster positive personal relationships within a team.
- High-level IT competency for educational leadership and administration.
Personal Attributes
- Passionate about delivering quality education.
- Able to command the respect of students, colleagues, and parents.
- Highly organized, with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Driven by a desire to improve educational quality and advance school development.
- Reliable, detail-oriented, and committed to excellence.
- Innovative, with a willingness to embrace change and continuous improvement.
Additional Expectations
- Uphold the school's Vision, Mission, and professional standards.
- Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries at all times.
Fulfill duties in line with agreed expectations and contractual obligations
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.
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.
