Director of the International Leadership Academy Starting school year 2016 2017 Internationally JSD Essentials British 1
Director of the International Leadership Academy The International Leadership Academy (ILA) will become a world renowned, dynamic and innovative centre of learning based in The Hague. The ILA will build cohesion across The British School in The Netherlands (the BSN) through a holistic approach to personalised learning for staff, strengthening the 3 18 learning continuum. Internationally British 2,300 students Ages 3 18 80+ nationalities
ILA vision Established on the sound foundations of excellence, the ILA will ensure that all students continue to experience relevant and life enhancing learning opportunities into the future. The ILA will support the priorities identified in the School Development Plan, by providing staff with the time for deeper thinking and facilitating professional debate around well researched projects which enhance student outcomes. The ILA will draw on expertise within the community of The Hague and beyond, to build capacity and flexibility in its approach and provision. Ultimately the ambition will be to support the growth and development of organisations globally through outreach services and the sharing of practice. The post At the BSN we expect all of our staff to be open to developing themselves personally and professionally. The Director of the ILA will have an overall vision of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) across the BSN and will arrange external and internal providers, as well as online solutions, in order to deliver development and sustain this culture of professional engagement and challenge. We are looking for someone to take the lead in the integration of BlueSky Education in accordance with the policies of the BSN, ensuring staff understanding and consistent use of the tool in recording professional development, setting targets and conducting reviews. The successful candidate will work to ensure that the induction process and CPD of the school community is a central element in the raising of standards, facilitation of succession planning, recruitment and retention. As well as managing CPD, the role requires creativity, innovation and the development of programmes in order to fulfil the vision of the ILA. The Director of the ILA will also investigate accreditation, both internal and external, to support programmes adopted within the BSN, as well as leading initiatives in teacher training (notably IPGCE and QTS) as a means of ensuring that the BSN continues to attract the best candidates for teaching posts. Initiatives may include: Take the lead in the integration of BlueSky Education Development of programmes to fulfil the vision of the ILA The CPD Mark Investors in People Coaching and Mentoring Implementation of Professional and Occupational Standards CPD Governor Developing effective evaluation Measuring impact and value for money Through liaising with external agencies and providers the Director of the ILA will ensure quality and value for money, whilst at the same time actively marketing opportunities both within the BSN and externally to generate income. This is a challenging, but exciting position which provides a real opportunity to further develop the learning culture of the BSN. This post becomes available from September 2016 and will be based at the BSN Language Centre initially, however clearly visiting locations both within the BSN and externally will be required.
The BSN group of schools The BSN group of schools is based in and around The Hague. Our 3 Junior Schools and 1 Senior School are home to 2300 students, aged 3 18. Approximately 30% of our student body is British with 70% coming from over 80 other countries. Our Junior School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales but has been expertly adapted to meet the unique needs of our international student body. BSN students achieve outstanding results and success in all fields and at all ages, with our Sixth Formers ultimately gaining entry to top universities around the world. Nevertheless we successfully operate a non-selective entry policy and we are proud to provide education to students of all abilities, supporting those with additional need where necessary. Through our Language Centre we provide a range of courses for adults and children in both the international and local Dutch community (approximately 1600 registrations per year). The centre offers everything from intensive Dutch or English courses to CELTA teacher training alongside running after-school language classes and a very successful Summer Activities School. Mission and governance The BSN was founded in 1931 as a not for profit Association and its mission is to provide education in the British tradition with an international perspective. This mission makes the BSN somewhat different from many other schools; we are here to serve our clientele the international professional community in The Hague region, so we are not defined by a fixed number. Meeting this mission has required both flexibility and vision. We have successfully adapted to meet both growing student numbers and also the developing aspirations of the international community. Accreditation The BSN is a leading member of COBIS and an international member of HMC. It has IB accreditation for both the IB diploma and the IB Career related Certificate. The school s recent excellent inspection report by ISI (2015), attests to its quality. Curriculum expertly adapted to meet the unique needs of our international student body Successfully operates a non-selective entry policy Our client community Over the years we have developed strong relationships with a wide range of major international corporations, with large international organisations (both UN and EU) and many national embassies. As The Hague continues to attract inward investment and further build on its remarkable success as the International City of Peace and Justice, we anticipate the recent growth of the school is set to continue. Student numbers at The BSN continue to climb as the high reputation of The BSN amongst the international community prevails. Our students are drawn from the families of internationally mobile professionals; and while we cater for all abilities, the overall motivation, aspirations, level of parental support and standards of student behaviour are high.
Our staff The BSN employs almost 500 full and part-time staff and a further 200 flexible workers. Our staff come from all over the world, though the largest numbers are from the UK bringing considerable experience of the British educational tradition. A significant number, especially support staff, are recruited locally. The recent growth of the school has resulted in a good balance between local experience and new ideas, and the age distribution is a perfect bell curve. Arrangements for staff training and professional development are strong with good links to UK and international school networks. Management structure and membership The CEO & Principal leads the management of the BSN and each school is led by an experienced Headteacher (each Headteacher reports to the CEO & Principal). Together with the Director of Finance; this Board of Management develops policy and manages operations. The Director of the ILA reports directly to the CEO & Principal and is also a member of the BSN Strategic Leadership Group, attending the Board of Management as requested. The Director of the ILA will also hold memberships with external agencies, as required by the post. A number of specialist business departments provide strong central support for school operations and development. These professionally staffed Business Units are made up of Human Resources; Communications and Admissions; Information Systems; Finance; Operations and the International Leadership Academy. Future opportunities and challenges 500 fixedterm staff And a further 200 flexible workers Learning and development at the heart of our culture The outlook for the BSN group of schools is both exciting and challenging. Learning and development is at the heart of our culture and the successful candidate will play a key role in driving this forward. The BSN is an ambitious organisation we strive to respond to educational change and to adjust and adapt to meet our clients needs. Like all good organisations we plan our developments with care. Together, the Board of Management and Board of Governors also engage in longer term strategic planning. Our strategic planning however is concerned with more than just the school s estate. All members of the school community want to ensure that the nature of teaching and learning at the school is fit for the future.
The person This is a demanding, but immensely interesting job a wonderful opportunity for an educational professional, who enjoys leadership and has a passion for CPD. The ideal candidate will have the energy and drive to develop the vision of the ILA, together with the CEO & Principal. We are looking for a candidate who can advise and lead the development of the ILA and the range of programmes it will offer in the long term. This is a role for someone who likes working in a dynamic, modern and developing organisation, where there is a real opportunity to build on our learning community and to positively influence the lives of a wonderful set of colleagues and students. energy and drive to develop the vision of the ILA We are looking for a candidate who is: An experienced educational professional with open and inclusive leadership qualities A progressive and modernising thinker who can build on our vision for CPD and the ILA We are looking for a candidate who has: Outstanding communication skills and style, demonstrating enthusiasm and energy An international outlook and an appreciation of the richness that a diversity of cultures brings to a British school context A commitment to and passion for the education, well-being and development of a whole school community A range of professional experience within education Previous experience of leading CPD in schools and ideally experience with BlueSky Education software or similar web-based management systems
Our offer The Netherlands is one of the most welcoming of all EU member countries to professionals working abroad, and is a very easy and pleasant country in which to live and work. The working language of the BSN is English. The Dutch are excellent linguists and English is widely spoken by around 70% of the population. Transport services and connections are excellent the ILA will be located in The Hague, just 30 or so minutes from Amsterdam Schiphol airport, or in the other direction, from the Hoek of Holland ferry terminal. Public transport is fast, reliable and generally good value for money, but many choose the truly Dutch option of cycling in a flat country with the most highly developed network of cycle paths in the world it is almost hard not to! There is much more you can find out about the school and living in Holland from our website www.britishschool.nl. The videos and photographs there, plus our most recent inspection report (#InternationallyExcellent), will help give you a clearer idea of who we are and, we hope, the excitement and potential of this post. The salary for this position will compete with those leaders of the best similar schools. Further details of this, along with pension contributions, health Insurance, housing, relocation package and other benefits, can be discussed with candidates invited for interview.
Application and interview dates Candidates wishing to apply should share their experience and enthusiasm in a letter of application and full curriculum vitae. Please visit the Current Vacancies page of our website where you can fill in our short online application form, upload your documents and give the details of two referees: www.britishschool.nl/vacancies Initial interviews Dates 11/12 May 2016 Location TBC Applications should reach us by 3 May 2016 Final interviews Date 24/25 May 2016 Location BSN, The Netherlands For those invited for initial interview there will be amble opportunity to see if this is a good fit. For those who reach the final round of the selection, there will be a full programme across the two days to ensure a thorough introduction to both The Netherlands and the BSN. www.britishschool.nl