Senior Deputy Head
Chengdu, China | August 2025
The School
Curriculum: UK to A-level
This is the first international school of a highly prestigious UK girl's school - a vibrant, co-educational day school offering a full British Curriculum enhanced with the best elements of Chinese culture and learning. The school uses an immersion learning approach with each class taught by an international and a Chinese teacher. A commitment to academic excellence is upheld, but the school also holds true to the values and ideals that underpin the parent school which includes the important role the arts will play, with music, art and drama playing a central role in the curriculum. Students will understand the importance of life beyond academic excellence. Teachers will have access to a comprehensive L&D scheme, as well as close links with the UK parent school, to ensure plenty of opportunity to share ideas with UK counterparts.
Living and Working in Chengdu
The school is located in the prosperous, fast growing Hi-Tech District of Chengdu - a city that offers an exceptional living and working environment. Although one of China's less explored cities - Chengdu is a key economic hub in South West China. Chengdu has a high standard of living but lower living costs and this has given the city the reputation of easy to move to and hard to leave. It is a popular tourist destination; famous as home to the Pandas, Sichuan food, mountains, temples and Giant Buddha's.
Role and Requirements
The Senior Deputy Head is appointed by the School Governing Board and the Principal, and is responsible to the Principal for a wide-ranging remit. No list of responsibilities should be seen as exhaustive. The Senior Deputy Head will work closely with the Principal and the other members of the senior leadership team in formulating policy, contributing to strategic development and overseeing the day-to-day running of the school
Responsibilities
There are six main strands to this role:
? To work closely with the Principal on ensuring successful implementation of the school's strategic vision of a high-quality educational provision
? To oversee the smooth operation of the day-to-day life of the school, being both proactive and reactive in ensuring that the functions of the school operate effectively.
? To oversee and lead the day-to-day management of the school teaching staff.
? To oversee and contribute to the professional development of teaching staff, supporting the school's strategic development and ensuring that lifelong learning remains at the heart of the school's ethos
? To ensure that the school is inspection ready and compliant and that all regulatory changes and updates are implemented; to oversee the school's preparation for an inspection
?To support the communications, marketing and information strategy at the school.
Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
· Bachelor's degree or above in Education
· Essential: Qualified Teacher Status and Degree
· Desirable: Post-graduate qualifications (e.g. MA, PHD); Further professional study (e.g. NPQH)
WORKING EXPERIENCE
· Proven record of impact as a middle leader
· Proven record of impact as a senior leader
· Budgetary management
· Effective positive behaviour management
· Ability to track and monitor student progress and use the information to inform school development priorities
· Ability to build strong working relationships with staff and students
· Experience leading projects or initiatives
· Recent experience leading change
· Proven leadership of a team
· Proven record of good judgement
· Proven record of participation in the wider life of the school
· Proven impact as a classroom teacher in a prep and senior school
· Experience of leading significant whole school initiatives
· Understanding of current developments in education
· Knowledge of school accountability measures
· Understanding of staff appraisal
· Understanding of curriculum planning and timetabling
· Understanding of safeguarding
SKILLS & APTITUDES
· Strong communication skills (both orally and in writing)
· Ability to investigate, solve problems and make decisions
· Strong leadership qualities
· A strong commitment to inclusion
· Clear sense of direction and purpose
· Personal impact, self-confidence and presence
· Energy, determination and perseverance
· Reliability and integrity
PERSONAL QUALITIES
· Be an effective team player that works collaboratively and effectively with others
· Excellent interpersonal skills, communicating (verbally and in-writing) effectively to a wide range of audiences
· Support, motivate and inspire both colleagues and pupils by leading through example
· Suitability to work with children
· Confidence, warmth, sensitivity, reliability and enthusiasm
Salary and Benefits
Competitive Salary
Housing and utilities allowance
Annual airfare allowance
Visa assistance
Medical, dental and life insurance
Investment/retirement scheme