At The Perse School (Singapore), we cultivate a happy and nurturing environment, inspiring students to develop a lifelong love of learning and prepare for a fulfilling and successful future.
To deliver on our mission of inspiring students to love learning, we embrace The Perse Way - a unique educational approach that places our values at the heart of everything we do. Developed over 400 years, The Perse Way guides us as we continually look forward, shaping an exceptional education for the future.
We are seeking a dedicated Head of Mandarin who will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Mandarin Department across the school. The role involves ensuring high standards of teaching and learning aligned with the Cambridge Assessment International Education curriculum framework, including programmes such as Cambridge IGCSE from 2025 and Cambridge International A Level from 2027. Students are taught as First Language, Second Language and Foreign Language. In Pelicans Nursery to Year 2 we also have a bilingual programme of English and Mandarin stream of one class in each year cohort.
The successful candidate will lead curriculum development, drive academic excellence, mentor teaching staff, and promote Mandarin language and Chinese cultural understanding within a diverse international school environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Curriculum
- Lead the day-to-day management, operation, and development of the subject area, including delegated responsibilities.
- Develop, review, and annually update schemes of work to ensure consistency and progression across year groups.
- Maintain and annually review a comprehensive departmental handbook, ensuring accessibility for all team members.
- Lead curriculum development and regularly evaluate curriculum effectiveness.
- Produce and monitor a departmental development plan aligned with whole-school priorities.
- Complete and review the departmental self-evaluation and subject improvement plan annually.
Monitoring & Achievement
- Establish effective systems to monitor student progress (e.g., markbooks, tracking data, Students of Concern documentation).
- Analyse examination and assessment data regularly to inform planning, intervention, and professional development.
- Set appropriate attainment and progress targets, ensuring equity across groups (including Academic English Development students).
- Identify underachievement and implement appropriate intervention strategies.
- Monitor the overall progress and development of students, ensuring mentoring where required.
- Ensure appropriate academic stretch, challenge, and scholarship opportunities.
Quality Assurance & Professional Standards
- Implement impact cycle monitoring through:
- Lesson observations
- Work scrutiny and assessment review
- Planning and marking evaluations
- Conduct formal appraisal reviews in line with school policy.
- Address performance management issues appropriately.
- Ensure quality assurance processes meet self-evaluation and development planning requirements.
- Model excellent teaching practice and promote evidence-based teaching and learning approaches.
Team Leadership & Development
- Promote effective teamwork and positive professional relationships within the department.
- Lead regular departmental meetings (with teaching and learning and Students of Concern as standing agenda items).
- Share agendas and minutes with staff and linked Senior Leaders.
- Support recruitment processes when required.
- Ensure effective induction, mentoring, and coaching of new and graduate teachers.
- Establish effective working practices that strengthen teaching and learning.
Operational Responsibilities
- Ensure teaching commitments are effectively timetabled and roomed.
- Oversee appropriate cover arrangements for absent staff.
- Maintain effective communication with staff, students, and parents.
- Represent the department at Curriculum Committees, HoD meetings, and line management meetings.
- Ensure adherence to all school policies, particularly teaching and learning, marking and feedback, and behaviour management policies.
Other Responsibilities
- Act as a positive professional role model for students.
- Treat students with dignity and respect, maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Serve as a Form Tutor (or cover tutor) where assigned.
- Undertake supervision duties as required.
- Support university applications, particularly for competitive institutions, in collaboration with the University Guidance team.
- Engage actively in appraisal and professional development processes.
- Contribute to whole-school professional development and lecture programmes.
- Support enrichment activities, societies, clubs, and academic events.
- Participate fully in school life, including events, trips, fixtures, performances, and community activities.
- Communicate effectively and professionally with parents, using translators where appropriate.
Essential Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Mandarin, Chinese Language, Education, Linguistics, or a related field.
- Recognised teaching qualification (e.g. PGCE, QTS, or equivalent).
- Minimum 3 years of teaching experience in Mandarin within an international or comparable school setting.
- At least 2 years of leadership experience (e.g., Subject Coordinator, Head of Department, or equivalent).
- Strong subject knowledge in Mandarin Chinese language and culture.
- Experience teaching Mandarin (Foreign Language / Second Language / First Language) to students aged 3-18, including preparation for Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A Level
- Proven ability to lead curriculum planning, assessment, and departmental improvement initiatives.
Desirable Skills and Personal Attributes:
- Familiarity with concept-based, inquiry-based, and project-based learning approaches, with the ability to embed these effectively within the Mandarin curriculum.
- Strong understanding of data analysis to monitor student progress, inform instructional decisions, and drive sustained academic improvement.
- Ability to lead departmental meetings, oversee assessment moderation, and ensure that quality assurance processes are implemented consistently and effectively.
- Sound decision-making skills, with the ability to manage sensitive matters professionally, ethically, and confidentially.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm for engaging students in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, such as cultural immersion trips, international language competitions, and Chinese debate clubs.
- Knowledge of modern language learning technologies, including digital platforms, applications, and online resources that enhance student engagement and language acquisition.
- Strong commitment to safeguarding, regulatory compliance, and maintaining high professional and ethical standards within an international school context.
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Safeguarding:
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility, ensuring every child feels safe to flourish and learn.The Perse School (Singapore) is committed to the welfare of all our children and wider community, and expects all staff, partners, volunteers, and visitors to share in this commitment.
All candidates will be subject to rigorous safeguarding checks, including reference checks, an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, and verification of qualifications and employment history.
As part of our commitment to safeguarding, all staff are required to uphold the school's safeguarding policies, attend regular training, and promote a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Any gaps in employment must be explained, and candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to safeguarding in education as part of the recruitment process.
Disclaimer
The statements above outline the general nature and scope of work for individuals in this classification. They are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Staff may be asked to perform tasks beyond their usual responsibilities as needed.
