Director of Teaching and Learning, Dover

The role of Director of Teaching and Learning is a senior appointment at Principal level with a primary function to lead, with Dover School Principals, on the implementation, monitoring, evaluation and development of the UWCSEA learning programme from K-12 at UWCSEA Dover. Essential to this is the establishment of a strong working partnership with the Director of Teaching and Learning on our sister UWCSEA East campus. These two post holders lead research and development of the best educational practices for all aspects of our holistic curriculum. This includes the line management of Research and Development as well as the project leadership of identified K-12 initiatives and programme developments.

Main Responsibilities

The incumbent will work with Principals, Vice Principals and learning teams to provide leadership aligned with our Leadership Standards. Specifically:

• Oversee and support the implementation, alignment and strategic development of the learning programme through strong pedagogical practices aligned with our Guiding statements, Teaching Standards and effective assessment and reporting.
• Support the development of K-12 teaching and learning initiatives and programme developments as identified in the College Strategic Plan (e.g. Concept Based Teaching and Learning, DEI, interdisciplinary learning, continuing Grade 9/10 programme development, leadership training) by engaging with teams at all levels across the College
• In collaboration with school teams, design and build new programme offerings for our students
• Take a leading and active role in promoting and facilitating professional learning on campus, especially with regard to developing the capacity of other leaders. Chair Professional Learning Committee and manage associated budgets
• With school principals, oversee the formal performance management processes for academic staff (Review and Recognition and Support Cycle)
• Oversee and support areas of the learning programme that are organized across school sections: for example (to be agreed) Digital Learning, Libraries, Student Services, Outdoor Education, Service and Sustainable Development, Activities, K-12 Coaches, Home Languages Programme, EAL and Learning Support and K-12 academic teams.
• Coordinate the academic side of staff induction and orientation.
• Oversee the recruitment and line management of relief teachers and the relief cover coordinator.
• Support and actively build a culture of coaching in collaboration with leadership teams and the K-12 coaches
• Lead the development and alignment of the process for collecting and analyzing student data to provide effective tracking systems which support both targeted interventions and the capacity to make high level predictions of academic outcomes
• Develop and implement effective methods to record and report achievement across all five elements of the learning programme
• Along with the Dover Head of Digital Learning, represent Dover Campus on the Learning Systems Group to to develop strategic and effective learning systems
• Work with Head of Campus and Principals to review and further develop the strategic progress of the Campus
• Contribute to the Learning Leadership Team as a part of College strategic development
• Working as a part of the Learning Leadership Team, engage with colleagues and peers beyond UWCSEA through a variety of interpersonal and social media connections to build rapport, understanding and connection, to ensure that the College maintains a high profile amongst educational thought leadership (eg UWC International, sister UWCs globally, Amala, IBO, EARCOS, PTC, CIS)
• Co-lead the IB Pilot Steering Committee and act as the key contact with the IBO for this initiative
  

Expectations and Standards

• Follow the UWCSEA Professional Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
• Lead in line with the UWCSEA Leadership Standards
• Teach in line with the UWCSEA Teacher Standards

Person Specifications

• A degree and professional teaching qualification is essential: a higher degree desirable
• A passion for international education
• Sensitivity to cultural nuance, committed to inclusion and an advocate for diversity
• Experience of and strong stories about successful leadership, ideally in an international environment, demonstrating ability to develop and lead high achieving staff
• Knowledge of international curricula, their associated pedagogies and assessment
• Strong understanding of the role of technology within a learning environment
• Awareness of current issues and trends in education - an ability to lead institutional thinking and high quality professional learning
• Understanding of the principles of organizational culture and behaviour, including skills of affective leadership and problem solving
• Ability to develop a sense of community, generate trust and build influence with all constituent groups
• Understanding of leadership approaches to maintaining the highest standards of teaching and evaluating the impact of a learning programme
• Ability to think strategically
• Fluency in English (though first - language English is not an expectation) and outstanding communication skills: written, spoken and in presentations
• Excellent interpersonal skills: a good listener with a collaborative management style
• Excellent personal skills and attitudes including self- management, honesty, integrity, compassion, self reflection.
• Ability to work laterally across multiple schools and teams
  

Applications

The position is a two year contract. The start date is August 2027

Interviews will take place in October, with an offer made to the successful candidate by the end of October. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

The UWC Mission is to make education a force to unite people, nations and culture for peace and a sustainable future. We are committed to creating a community in which all members feel safe and secure, and know that their authentic selves and individual differences are accepted with respect and care. At UWCSEA, we acknowledge that diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) is an ongoing and evolving process and strive to create and sustain a sense of belonging for all members of our community, past, present and future. All qualified applicants, including those who identify as a part of marginalized group(s) and individuals with (dis)abilities are all encouraged to apply. Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the students in our care and expects 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.