Location: Salem / Rasipuram, Tamil Nadu

Employment Type: Full-Time

Department: Academic Leadership

Reports To: Director / School Management

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, visionary, and dynamic Head of School to provide strategic academic and operational leadership for our school. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in the IGCSE curriculum, a proven track record in school leadership, and the ability to build a culture of academic excellence, student wellbeing, innovation, and professional growth.

The Head of School will be responsible for translating the school's vision into effective academic practices, leading faculty teams, strengthening parent engagement, and ensuring high standards across teaching, learning, student development, and school operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Academic Leadership

- Provide strategic leadership for the school's academic programmes, with particular emphasis on the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum.
- Ensure high-quality teaching, learning, assessment, and curriculum delivery across all grades.
- Monitor academic performance and implement appropriate improvement strategies.
- Ensure effective curriculum planning, assessment practices, moderation, and academic documentation.
- Stay updated with developments in the IGCSE/Cambridge curriculum and educational best practices.
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement and academic excellence.

1. School Leadership & Management

- Lead the day-to-day academic and operational functioning of the school.
- Translate the school's vision, mission, and values into measurable goals and practices.
- Develop and monitor annual academic and institutional plans.
- Work closely with the Management and Senior Leadership Team on strategic decisions.
- Ensure effective implementation of school policies, procedures, and standards.
- Identify operational challenges and implement timely and effective solutions.

1. Faculty Leadership & Development

- Lead, mentor, motivate, and develop teaching and academic staff.
- Conduct regular classroom observations, academic reviews, and performance discussions.
- Identify professional development requirements and coordinate relevant training programmes.
- Build a collaborative and accountable professional culture among staff.
- Support recruitment, induction, appraisal, and performance management of academic personnel.
- Address performance concerns professionally and in accordance with school policies.

1. Student Development & Wellbeing

- Ensure a safe, inclusive, respectful, and student-centred learning environment.




- Monitor student academic progress, behaviour, attendance, and overall wellbeing.
- Encourage holistic development through academics, sports, arts, leadership, and co-curricular activities.
- Promote student leadership, critical thinking, creativity, and global awareness.
- Ensure appropriate systems are in place for student safeguarding and pastoral care.

1. Parent & Community Engagement

- Develop strong and professional relationships with parents and the wider school community.
- Address parent concerns effectively and ensure timely communication.
- Represent the school at parent meetings, school events, orientations, and other institutional programmes.
- Strengthen parent confidence in the school's academic and pastoral systems.
- Promote the school's vision, values, achievements, and educational philosophy.

1. Cambridge / IGCSE Coordination

- Ensure effective implementation of Cambridge IGCSE requirements and academic standards.
- Work closely with examination and academic coordinators for curriculum and assessment planning.
- Ensure staff are appropriately prepared for Cambridge examinations and assessment requirements.
- Monitor examination performance and develop strategies for continuous academic improvement.
- Ensure appropriate documentation and compliance with Cambridge requirements.

1. Strategic Growth & School Development

- Contribute to the school's long-term academic and institutional development.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen curriculum offerings, student programmes, and school initiatives.
- Support the development and implementation of new academic programmes.
- Analyse academic and operational data to support informed decision-making.
- Promote innovation, technology integration, and contemporary teaching-learning practices.

1. Compliance & Governance

- Ensure compliance with applicable educational regulations, school policies, and statutory requirements.
- Maintain appropriate academic and administrative records.
- Work collaboratively with HR, Administration, Finance, Admissions, and other departments.
- Ensure that school policies are consistently implemented across the institution.
- Maintain high standards of professionalism, ethics,



confidentiality, and accountability.

Key Competencies
- Strong IGCSE / Cambridge curriculum expertise
- Strategic and visionary leadership
- Strong academic administration skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Faculty mentoring and team-building ability
- Solid decision-making and problem-solving skills
- Parent and stakeholder management
- Data-driven academic leadership
- Change management and institutional development
- Conflict resolution and people management
- Strong organisational and time-management skills
- High level of professionalism, integrity, and accountability

Educational Qualification
- Master's Degree in Education / relevant subject / Educational Leadership or equivalent.
- B.Ed. / M.Ed. preferred.
- Additional qualifications in Educational Leadership, School Leadership, Cambridge/IGCSE training, or related areas will be an advantage.

Experience
- Minimum 8–12 years of experience in education, with substantial experience in academic leadership.
- Proven experience in a Head of School / Principal / Vice Principal / Academic Head / Senior Leadership role.
- Strong hands-on experience with the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum is essential.
- Experience in managing and developing teaching teams.
- Experience in academic planning, school improvement, staff appraisal, parent engagement, and student development.
- Candidates with experience in an international school / Cambridge / IB environment will be preferred.

What We Are Looking For We are looking for a leader who is:
- Academically strong and curriculum-focused
- Student-centred and approachable
- Strategic yet hands-on
- Firm, fair, and professional in decision-making
- A strong mentor and people leader
- Proactive in solving problems
- Committed to continuous improvement
- Passionate about developing students and teachers
- Capable of representing the school confidently with parents and external stakeholders

Why Join Us?
- Opportunity to lead and shape a growing international school.
- Work closely with the School Management and Senior Leadership Team.
- Opportunity to drive academic excellence and institutional growth.
- A collaborative and progressive educational environment.
- Scope to introduce innovative teaching-learning and leadership practices.

Interested candidates may share their updated CV highlighting their IGCSE/Cambridge experience, leadership responsibilities, and academic achievements. Pay: ₹80,000.00 - ₹100,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person

📌 HEAD OF SCHOOL – IGCSE (Rasipuram)
🏢 The HillRidge International School
📍 Rasipuram