deputy head (pastoral) - aug 2026 - guangzhou, china in guangzhou shi

Deputy Head - Pastoral
Guangzhou, China | August 2026

This group of schools in China and Asia are affiliated to a prestigious private school in the UK, and look to the 450-year old heritage to anchor its guiding principles, drive progressive initiatives and inspire a vision that seeks to produce leaders for tomorrow. The international schools offer exceptional education to prepare students with diverse background and abilities for a life of learning, leadership, service and personal fulfilment.

This brand new international school Guangzhou is scheduled to open in September 2026, with a planned capacity of 1,530 students across 65 classes and approximately 300 boarding spaces. As the fifth school for the group in the Greater Bay Area, it will welcome foreign children aged 2-18 from expatriate families and residents of Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan, opening doors to unparalleled opportunities. It is expected that the Guangzhou school will develop into a flagship school for the Group.

The school will embody the essence of British education, combining academic excellence with the dynamic spirit of STEAM innovation. Students will benefit from exceptional educators and state-of-the-art facilities that empower their growth and foster innovation, as they become internationally competitive individuals ready to excel in science and technology.

This provides an excellent opportunity for experienced educators to establish an excellent school and to join a well-established, ambitious and expanding family of international schools.

Role and Responsibilities - full job description and candidate pack available

The successful candidate will be a part of the start-up team, laying the foundations for the opening in 2026

Whole School Pastoral Leadership

• Lead Head of Houses to deliver Boarding & Pastoral provision

• Guide the Assistant Head of Pastoral Care and Boarding in developing innovative wellbeing programs aligned with the School's leadership vision

• Formulate cutting-edge pastoral policies compliant with UK/CIS/international standards

• Orchestrate seamless pastoral transitions across all school divisions

• Convene the Pastoral Support Committee to address complex pupil welfare cases

• Report directly to Governors on pastoral development and safeguarding matters

• Curate all pastoral communications for parents and digital platforms

Safeguarding Leadership

• Serve as institutional DSL with ultimate safeguarding responsibility

• Disseminate global safeguarding knowledge through whole-staff training

• Maintain rigorous staff vetting systems and external provider compliance

• Unify safeguarding practices across Lower and Upper Schools

Stakeholder Management

• Chair senior residential staff governance meetings

• Ensure regulatory compliance with all transport and education authorities

• Cultivate strategic partnerships with Harrow UK and international schools

• Champion staff welfare initiatives across the school community

• Assume full school-wide leadership responsibilities in the Head of School's absence

Behavioral Standards Leadership

• Uphold school-wide behavior policies and appearance standards

• Investigate serious disciplinary incidents with recommendation authority

• Coordinate off-campus discipline with transport providers and local authorities

Pastoral & Boarding Operational Leadership

• Align administrative resources with pastoral needs

• Steer BSO (or equivalent) accreditation preparations

• Govern the annual policy review cycle

• Approve all major parent communications

• Allocate pastoral budget resources

• Design and implement pupil leadership programs

• Oversee critical incident response systems

• Evaluate health services performance

• Advise on capital expenditure decisions

• Regulate campus traffic and transport systems

• Advise Head of School on selection decisions for all teaching staff and pupil admissions

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree or above in any field.

• Possess a UK PGCE, or other teaching qualification, giving QTS, from a recognised institution.

• Inspire, motivate and support pupils and colleagues

• A proven track record of leadership, impacting on whole school outcomes

• A proven track record of delivering academic performance

• A proven track record of suitability for working with children and young people, including the ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries

• Experience of collaborating with colleagues

• Experience of analysing whole school data and using it to inform whole school planning and development

Salary and Benefits Package

The remuneration package is very generous and includes the following;

• A competitive salary package

• An annual bonus of 10% of salary, subject to appraisal

• Full health insurance coverage for teachers as well as cover for dependents

• Onsite full-furnished accommodation provided for teachers in their first two years with the option of living offsite in second and subsequent contracts

• Return Airfare and baggage allowances for teacher and dependents

• 100% remission on tuition fees for up to two (2) dependent children attending the School. 50% remission on tuition fees for 3rd dependent child onward.

• The cost of all working visas, dependents' resident visas and work permits costs paid for by the school