Head of Senior School

This is a wonderful opportunity for an experienced school leader to take on the role of Head of Senior School in an internationally renowned full boarding school in Africa/Kenya. The position calls for exceptional educational, community, and operational leadership, underpinned by a strong personal value system and a deep commitment to the School's ambitious mission and vision.

St Andrew's School, Turi is one of the leading international schools in Africa and is situated within a

beautiful 450-acre estate in the highlands of the Great Rift Valley. Founded in 1931, this Christian,

independent boarding school offers an outstanding British curriculum education to boarding pupils aged

5–18 years. St Andrew's comprises two schools: a Prep School of about 250 pupils between the ages of 3 and 13 and a Senior School of about 370 students between the ages of 13 and 18.

The existing Head of Senior School, Ben Pennington, who has led the Senior School with success and dedication, is leaving to take on the role of Head of Worth School. The new Head of the Senior School should be an educational leader who has the experience and creativity to interpret the School's mission,

vision, values and strategy for the Senior School as it moves into the next exciting stage of its development with the three core strategic objectives of academic excellence, operational excellence and sustainability.

The Senior School consists of the Main School, leading to IGCSEs in Year 11, and the Sixth Form College,

with an A-level curriculum. All parts of the School share the same educational ethos and approach, guided by the mission of 'Seeking the Highest – with Christ as our Guide.' St Andrew's aims to be genuinely holistic – 'transforming hearts, minds, bodies and souls' – and to be a place of trust and respect for the

whole community. The School's students are drawn from across the globe, with the majority hailing from diverse regions of the African continent. It is a truly special place. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious, committed and forward-thinking leader to join this unique community of exceptional people

within one of the world's most stunning landscapes. St Andrew's, Turi aspires to live its mission in all areas of school life. It seeks continually to ensure that a St Andrew's education will give students the skills they will need to be leaders in the 21st century and is serious in its vision to be the leading international school in Africa.

Job Description

The Head of the Senior School is responsible to the Director-CEO of St Andrews for the organisation,

administration and development of the Senior School. The Head is a member of the School Executive Committee (SEC), which is responsible for the overall direction and development of the School as a whole, and leads the Senior School Leadership and Management Teams. On a day-today basis, the Head reports to the Director-CEO, but s/he also reports directly to the Board of Governors on all operational matters to do with the Senior School.

The aims of the Head are to:

• Establish the vision and culture of the Senior School within the context of the whole School

• Promote the highest standards of leadership and management at all levels

• Create and encourage a thriving educational community

• Ensure budgetary discipline, robust and effective security, and regulatory and legal compliance, particularly with respect to the safeguarding of children

• Establish and retain a full school roll at the Senior School

• Build an outstanding reputation for the Senior School in Kenya, throughout Africa, and globally

The responsibilities of the Head are:

Strategic

• Create and present strategic vision and goals to the Board of Governors

• Report on the implementation of the above strategic vision and goals to the Board of Governors

• Host Governors' visits, with particular focus on specific areas of strategy.

• Meet regularly with the Director-CEO, liaising over the development and implementation of strategic

goals and decisions

• Attend School Executive Committee meetings, working closely with the Committee to shape and ensure coherent strategic thinking, advising and discussing major Senior School strategic decisions

• Work closely with the Preparatory School Head to encourage and facilitate the integration of the two

Schools, developing shared aims and objectives, curricula, management systems, policies and procedures, thereby enhancing the School's overall educational provision and administration

Leadership & Management

• Chair and lead regular Senior School Leadership (SSLT) meetings, establishing and implementing strategic vision and decision making within the Senior School

• Chair and lead regular Senior School Management Team (SSMT) meetings, establishing and developing excellent management of the School at all levels

• Lead and maintain a regular mentoring programme of the SSLT and SSMT

• Meet regularly with Deputy Head (Academic) and Deputy Head (Pastoral) to ensure implementation of

strategic decisions

• Maintain fiscal oversight of Senior School budgets and spending

• Oversee the development and review of all policies and procedures, particularly with respect to regulatory and legal compliance and safeguarding, and in collaboration with the Preparatory School

Admissions and Marketing

• Work with the Director of Admissions to develop outstanding recruitment strategies and processes, ensuring a full and thriving Senior School roll

• Build close and fruitful links with feeder schools and international organisations

• Build an excellent reputation with other secondary schools

• Promote, attend and develop external marketing events

• Submit regular articles to educational and other publications, building and enhancing the Senior School's

reputation throughout Africa

• Recruit, appoint and develop Senior School staff, ensuring the highest possible educational standards are met

• Oversee and develop INSET and other CPD activities

• Meet regularly with staff, communicating and embedding Senior and whole-school strategic priorities

• Oversee and develop the Senior School timetable, ensuring excellent academic provision

• Oversee and develop the Senior School calendar, ensuring a full and thriving educational programme,

in collaboration with the Preparatory School

• Work closely alongside the Chaplain to encourage staff and student welfare and to safeguard and promote the Senior School's Christian character and ethos

External Relations

• Build excellent lines and means of communication with parents, both formal and informal

• Meet with Parent Representatives during every VISO, establishing a close and fruitful partnership

• As required, meet with parents to discuss and reinforce key individual decisions or school policies

• Maintain and exploit membership of Round Square schools and COBIS

• Work with the Development Department to foster alumni relations and encourage philanthropic giving