All Stages L3.0 - Director

Job description / Role

Job Description

The Director of Academic Standards and Curriculum is accountable to the Superintendent/CEO for ensuring that all students receive a high-quality educational experience and that all students are challenged to improve their academic performance against international benchmarks. The Superintendent/CEO will be your line manager.

In relation to students

• To promote high standards of work amongst all students.
• To ensure that all students receive a high-quality curriculum that meets their needs.
• To ensure that effective systems are in place for reviewing the curriculum to facilitate the above.
• To provide programs for students to ensure the gaps in their attainment are filled before they move to the next grade level.
• To observe lessons to ensure students are getting the quality of learning to improve their outcomes.
• To ensure that all students are making progress at the class, semester, and over a full year as evidenced by internal and external data analysis.
• To ensure that effective systems are in place for the assessment and recording of students' progress and attainment in line with AKISS policies.
• To use comparative data, prior attainment data, and general ability data to establish benchmarks and targets for students working alongside HODs and subject leaders. These must be against international standards and benchmark assessments.
• To work with phase principals and HODs and subject leaders to ensure a smooth transition between phases.
• To provide guidance to students at appropriate stages with what they need to do next to improve with support from HODs and subject leaders.
• To ensure that academic attainment and progress are effectively promoted across the learning environment.

In relation to subject leaders and teachers

• To provide positive and effective leadership ensuring that high standards of professionalism are upheld at all times.
• To ensure that all HODs and subject leaders are able to use data effectively to track student progress and that all understand the importance of data and how to use it to inform instruction.
• To provide professional development for all leaders on curriculum, assessment, data analysis, and leadership.
• To liaise with the Pedagogical Leadership Team and HODs and subject leaders to ensure stretch targets are set for all students based on internationally benchmarked assessments.
• To ensure that all HODs and subject leaders have routine progress reviews to ensure all students are on track to meet targets. To actively promote the sharing of good practice and to seek continuous improvement.
• To ensure that all HODs and subject leaders are able to review the curriculum effectively to provide a high-quality curriculum that meets the needs of all students.
• To keep abreast of current developments in the use of data, curriculum approaches, and teaching methodologies to improve student performance and lead by example through the quality of your own teaching and facilitation.
• To be aware of and exemplify the characteristics of outstanding teaching and learning.
• To ensure that the current use and the future potential of ICT aids high-quality teaching and learning.
• To maintain an overview of the professional development of the teachers by providing individual professional development plans and working with their HODs to create an action plan to meet the needs individually and as a department.
• To provide support and guidance to class teachers by offering advice and arranging in-service training sessions for all teachers depending on their needs.
• To provide support and guidance to teachers by offering advice and arranging off-campus training sessions for all teachers depending on their needs.
• To monitor and evaluate the standards of teaching and learning through lesson observations and the checking of teachers' planners and students' books in line with regular AKISS guidelines. To support teachers through coaching and mentoring to improve practice.
• To assist the SLT in dealing with under-performance.
• To monitor the marking policy and homework policy ensuring that expectations are met.
• To promote, develop, and implement action plans for academic standards, curriculum, and professional development.
• To convene and chair weekly meetings with the HODs and subject leaders.
• To liaise with other coordinators to formalize the curriculum across GEMS and Dubai.
• To make a significant contribution to the Self-Evaluation Form.

In relation to parents

• To build a positive and effective relationship with parents.
• To maximize opportunities for parental engagement in student progress and achievement by hosting regular coffee mornings and information sessions.
• To ensure parents are kept up to date on their child's progress.
• To ensure that subject reports are of high quality and conform to the requirements of the AKISS reporting policy.
• To ensure that subject reports are completed and proofread by the published dates.
• To attend and contribute to parents' information evenings.
• To assist in the preparation of appropriate information booklets and lead parent workshops.

In relation to resources

• To prepare an annual projection, with approximate costs, for resources needed for curriculum, assessment, and professional development.
• To prepare and keep a record of the professional development budget.

In relation to the whole school

• To plan and coordinate the induction of teachers new to the country to ensure they settle well into their new environment.
• To plan and coordinate the induction of new and returning teachers during the first week of school to ensure all teachers receive the policy information required and training needed for effective teaching and learning.
• To attend SLT and HODs and subject leaders meetings and ensure the smooth communication of information.
• To be involved where appropriate in policy-making decisions with the SLT.
• To make contributions as required to the AKISS Action Plan.
• To ensure all teachers are receiving high-quality professional development tailored to their individual needs.
• To fulfill any reasonable additional responsibilities as may be requested by the Superintendent and CEO.
• To lead, embrace, and encourage the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the GEMS core values.

• Perform other duties as requested by direct and dotted reporting line managers/supervisors.

Skills

Qualifications/knowledge

• Qualified/certified teacher with in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of the use of data and curriculum creation/modification to lead school improvement. Knowledge of using ICT to aid the raising of academic standards.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills, team and resource management, and the ability to motivate as well as being an outstanding practitioner.

Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant teaching experience with previous coordinator or management experience essential.

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.

About the Company

GEMS Education is a pioneering education company with an international network of award winning K-12 schools. Over the past 55 years GEMS has grown from one school to being a truly global company with one incredible mission – to make quality education available to every student. Over 20,000 education professionals unlock the potential of over 250,000 students across 14 countries each and every day, preparing children of all ages for real world success.