The Vice Principal for Early Years and Year 1 (ages 3–6) is a key member of the Elementary Leadership Team (ELT), which includes the Elementary Principal and the Vice Principals for Upper Elementary. Reporting directly to the Elementary Principal, the Vice Principal works collaboratively with ELT colleagues while also contributing to school-wide initiatives and decisions. The role carries oversight for the academic, pastoral, and operational aspects of Early Years and Year 1, as well as selected whole-elementary and whole-school responsibilities. In addition, the Vice Principal will work closely with the Director of Teaching & Learning, the Director of IT, and the Director of Activities to support alignment and innovation across the school. At times, the Elementary Principal may assign additional priorities or responsibilities beyond those outlined below.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or master’s in elementary education and professional teaching qualification; higher degree in educational leadership highly desirable
- Current & relevant experience with early years and elementary education
- Expert in child development, early literacy/numeracy foundations, and family engagement
- Leadership experience
- Experience with inquiry-based learning, Reggio/IB PYP frameworks, and international school contexts
Personal Attributes & Experience:
- Integrity: We believe that individuals should be honest and principled. This includes being committed to our mission, and holding yourself and others accountable
for choices.
- Caring: We believe that compassion and empathy are central to learning. Combined with a commitment to reflection and balance, they contribute to our wellness.
- Community: We believe in collaborating with others as part of a diverse community, helping us become open minded and globally aware in order to effect positive change.
- Growth: We believe in a commitment to a growth mindset through active engagement and striving for excellence. Through this we become resilient, creative learners.
Professional Expectations include
Whole School Responsibilities
- Contribute to the strategic direction and vision of the school as part of the leadership team.
- Uphold and model the school’s mission, values, and policies.
- Lead and participate in whole-school initiatives and events.
- Support accreditation visits
- Ensure safeguarding and child protection practices are consistently followed.
- Support staff recruitment, induction, and professional development in line with whole-school priorities.
- Collaborate thoughtfully with other Vice Principals to ensure continuity of learning and a consistency of approach and practices
Academic Responsibilities
- In coordination with the Director of Teaching and Learning, lead the Early Years to Year 1 curriculum implementation in alignment with the school frameworks.
- Monitor and evaluate teaching, learning, and assessment practices to ensure alignment and high standards.
- Support teachers in curriculum planning, inquiry-based pedagogy, and differentiation for diverse learners.
- Monitor the implementation and development of the MTSS in assigned year levels
- Collaborate with others to organize, act upon and track progress in student data
Pastoral & Wellbeing Responsibilities
- Promote a safe and nurturing environment where all children feel a sense of belonging.
- Lead on pastoral care and wellbeing initiatives for students in EY–Y1.
- Build strong partnerships with parents and caregivers through regular communication and collaboration.
- Support staff in responding to student wellbeing, social-emotional needs, and behavior in positive ways.
- Work closely with Counseling, Learning Support, and EAL teams to coordinate holistic student support.
- Collaborate with the admissions department in support of admissions’ practices and onboarding
- Oversee the new student orientation programme for EY-Y1 in collaboration with other Vice Principals
- Ensure a seamless transitions into our Early Years, into Year 1 and onto year 2
- Collaborate with faculty and students to support the Elementary house system
Operational Responsibilities
- Oversee the daily organization and smooth running of EY–Y1, including schedules and routines.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and safeguarding regulations.
- Manage resources, classroom environments, and facilities to support high-quality learning.
- Contribute to duty schedules and supervision as needed.
- Support crisis management and emergency procedures within EY–Y1.
- Collaborate with the ELT to create an annual timetable
Professional Supervision & Growth
- Provide professional supervision and feedback to teachers, Academic Assistants (AAs), and Teaching Assistants (TAs).
- Support the Elementary Principal with appraisal and performance review processes in line with school systems and expectations.
- Work collaboratively with the Elementary Principal to ensure teaching effectiveness and realization of professional growth goals
- Ensure professional goals and appraisal systems are in place for academic assistants
- Identify professional learning needs and collaborate with the Director of Teaching and Learning to ensure targeted PD opportunities for teachers, academic
assistants and teaching assistants.
- Build team capacity through mentoring, collaborating and coaching.
- Foster a culture of professional collaboration in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect
NIST is an ambitious school with a mission to inspire growth, empower individual excellence and enrich lives. We focus on collaboration and inquiry as essential features of learning for adults and students. Contributing beyond expectations and participating in school activities are crucial to us, as are a curious mind and a commitment to professional learning. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students in our care and expect all applicants to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices and all appointments are subject to interview, satisfactory references, identity, and criminal record checks.
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