Vice Principal - Al Danah Charter School

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Al Danah Charter School in Abu Dhabi, part of Aldar Education, seeks a highly motivated Vice Principal to lead Teaching and Learning at a US Curriculum school of around 2,000 students from KG1 to G5. The post requires strategic leadership, development and monitoring of the School Development Plan, and effective line and performance management of staff and resources, with accountability to parents, ADEK and Aldar Academies SLT. The ideal candidate has at least six years’ teaching experience, middle leadership and proven success in whole school initiatives, preferably in international or US curriculum settings; postgraduate leadership study is desirable. Essential qualifications include a Bachelor in Education or BSc with PGCE. Apply with a CV that demonstrates measurable impact on attainment, strong collaboration, budget oversight, and readiness to contribute to the Aldar network, and be prepared to relocate to Abu Dhabi with references and police clearance.

This opportunity will suit a highly motivated, well-organized, resilient and innovative leader who will be able to help shape, direct and deliver an outstanding education for students in our care. 

Al Danah Charter School which opened in 2019, follows the US (AERO) Curriculum and is a large and thriving Charter School, with approximately 2000 students, from KG1 – G5. Al Danah has an exciting, diverse, and progressive learning community that is committed to fulfilling the National Agenda for our Emirati students.

 The successful candidate will be self-motivated, have proven success in driving standards and be committed to the pursuit of excellence for all. They will have a secure knowledge of teaching and learning and a track record of implementing effective strategies to raise standards and plug gaps in learning and will be able to demonstrate leadership skills/experiences at a variety of levels and be effective in working collaboratively in a team.

 The successful candidate will have a ‘can do’ attitude, as life in a Charter School can be challenging at times, but it is equally highly rewarding, as our impact upon student learning is clearly visible every day. A sense of humor is vital too!

 We are a busy and inclusive school where the support for all students is essential. The ideal candidate will be strategic, have strong organizational skills and be confident multitasking. Building a positive and collaborative community and a willingness to support and collaborate with the Aldar Education network of schools is a must.

 The successful candidate will ideally have experience within the US Curriculum and a proven track record in leadership who is closely aligned with our core values and ethos and possess a genuine understanding and appreciation of the values of the region. The role would be suitable for an experienced leader who is looking for future growth and career development.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Direction and Development of the School

• Undertake the professional duties of the Vice Principal reasonably delegated to you by the Principal.
• Undertake the professional duties of the Principal, in the event of his/her absence from the school.
• In partnership with the Principal and the Senior Leadership Team, provide professional leadership and management of Teaching and Learning throughout the school.
• To provide professional leadership and management of School Development Plan priorities.
• Assist the Principal in the ongoing and annual review of standards of leadership, teaching and learning in specific areas of responsibility and across all areas of school provision, consistent with the procedures in the school self-evaluation policy.
• Create costed subject development plans which contribute positively to the achievement of the School Development Plan and which actively involves all staff in its design and execution.
• Develop and implement policies and practices for the subject/area(s) which reflects the school’s commitment to high achievement and is consistent with curriculum strategies and policies.
• Promote high expectations for attainment.
• Establish short, medium, and long-term plans for the development and resourcing for the specific areas of responsibility.
• Monitor the progress made in achieving subject/area plans and targets and evaluate the effect on teaching and learning.
• Work with outside agencies and stakeholders to inform future action.

Leading Teaching and Learning

• Work with the Principal to raise the quality of teaching and learning and pupil’s achievement, setting high expectations and monitoring and evaluating effectiveness of learning outcomes.
• Provide regular feedback for colleagues in a way which recognizes good practice and supports their progress against professional and performance management objectives resulting in a tangible impact on students learning.
• Develop whole staff, phase teams and individuals to enhance performance.
• Oversee the planning and delivery of staff meetings, including where necessary, bringing in outside speakers.
• Keep abreast of the latest developments in the curriculum and disseminate effectively to other members of staff.
• Plan, delegate and evaluate work carried out by team(s) and individuals.

Leading and Managing Staff

• Work with the Principal to build a professional learning community which enables others to achieve.
• Support staff, within your team and within the whole school, in achieving high standards through effective continuing professional development.
• Be committed to and take responsibility for your own professional development and undertake performance management, setting and agreeing targets linked to school development priorities with the Principal.
• Implement successful performance management processes with allocated team of staff.
• Treat people fairly, equitably and with dignity and respect to create and maintain a positive school culture.
• Build a collaborative learning culture within the school and actively engage with other schools to build effective learning communities.
• Acknowledge the responsibilities and celebrate the achievements of individuals and teams.
• Develop and maintain a culture of high expectations for self and others.

Efficient and Effective Deployment of Staff and Resources

• Work with the Principal to provide effective organization and management of the school and seek ways to improve organizational structures and functions based on rigorous self-evaluation.
• Work with the Principal to ensure the school and the people and resources within it are well organized and managed to provide an efficient, effective, and safe learning environment.
• Oversee and evaluate the subject/area budget allocation to ensure the budget is spent in line with subject/area learning priorities and best value principles.
• Secure and allocate resources to support effective learning and teaching within the subject area(s).
• Monitor and control the use of resources and budget according to the school’s agreed financial procedures.

Accountability

• Work with the Principal to ensure the school’s accountability to a wide range of groups, particularly parents, ADEK and Aldar Academies SLT.
• Ensure that pupils enjoy and benefit from a high-quality education, promoting collective responsibility within the whole school community.
• Develop a school ethos which enables everyone to work collaboratively, share knowledge and understanding, celebrate success and accept responsibility for outcomes.
• Develop and present a coherent, understandable, and accurate account of the school’s performance to a range of audiences including parents and Aldar colleagues.
• Reflect on personal contribution to school achievements and take account of feedback from others.
• Agree, monitor, and evaluate pupil targets to ensure all students make sufficient progress.
• Engage all staff in the creation, consistent implementation, and Improvement in schemes of work and curriculum plans which encapsulates key school learning strategies.
• Provide guidance on a choice of teaching and learning methods/strategies.
• Coach and mentor other staff and exemplify good practice.
• Undertake shared planning, team teaching as required within allocated subject areas.
• Develop and implement systems for recording individual pupil’s progress.
• Evaluate the quality of teaching and standards of achievement, setting targets for improvement.

Strengthening Community

• Work with the Principal to engage with the internal and external school community to secure equity and entitlement.
• Work with the Principal to collaborate with other schools and Aldar Academies HQ in order to share expertise and bring positive benefits to their own and other schools.
• Work with the Principal to work collaboratively at both strategic and operational levels with parents and across multiple agencies for the well- being of all children.

Specific Duties for Vice Principal

• To provide professional leadership and management of key areas of the School Development Plan as agreed, on an annual basis, with the Principal.
• To be responsible for internal and external assessment practices across the school
• To provide professional leadership and management of the curriculum in the elementary phase of the school.
• To take an active role in the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to the development of identified areas leading to high standards of teaching, effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all students.
• To lead the Performance Management of a group of teachers.

Minimum Qualifications

•    Bachelor's degree in education or B.Sc degree with PGCE is essential. Desirable Post Graduate degree in Educational Leadership.

Minimum Experience

• Minimum of 6 years of teaching experience. 
• Line/Performance Management or Pastoral experience is required. 
• Experience of leading whole school initiatives that have led to improvement in standards and achievement.
•  Middle leadership experience is required.

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills

• Very good/outstanding teacher 
• Teaching across ability range with proven success 
• Experience of leading whole school initiatives that have led to improvement in standards and achievement 
• Middle leadership experience 
• Senior leadership experience is desirable. 
• Experience of line/performance management 
• Experience of working in more than one International School 
• Experience of teaching IB Leadership skills
• Inter-personal skills

Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance. ­­­­­­­­