Deputy Head (Primary)

Established in 1972, Dover Court International School in Singapore is a leading inclusive international school with British heritage, serving international families, set on a green 12-acre site about 20 minutes from the Singapore CBD. Dover Court International School is a community within clusion at its heart. With more than 2000 students aged 3 to 18, our uniquePathway programme enables us to provide an education that meets the needs of a diverse student population, ensuring all learners are appropriately supported and challenged in their learning. This is reflected in our excellent outcomes for all learners.

Our unique approach enables us to prepare all students to flourish in our dynamic world,s o they are active participants in a globally connected community, now and throughout life.

At Dover Court, we believe every family deserves an exceptional start to their child's education journey.

Dover Court International School is seeking an outstanding, highly motivated and inspirational Deputy Head (Primary) to join our dedicated and collaborative senior leadership team from August 2027.

The successful candidate will be a visible, values-led leader with the strategic insight and operational expertise to help shape the continued development of the Primary School. They will lead an agreed phase and strategic portfolio, promote inclusive and high-quality learning, champion safeguarding and student wellbeing, and inspire colleagues to achieve the best possible outcomes for every student.

Safeguarding

At Nord Anglia Education we are committed to providing a world class, safe, happy environment in which children and young people can thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils where we embrace all race, abilities, religions, genders, and cultures. All post holders in regulated activity (having regular unsupervised contact with children) are subject to appropriate national and international vetting procedures including satisfactory criminal record checks from both your country of residence/birth and any country of residence.

We welcome applications from suitable qualified persons from all diverse backgrounds. Please note that only candidates shortlisted for interviews will be contacted.

Core Requirements of the Post:

The Deputy Head will aspire to the highest standards of professionalism and will:

• Champion the school mission, values and guiding statements.

• Provide visible, values-led leadership built on integrity, trust, inclusion and high expectations of self and others.

• Demonstrate deep knowledge of primary curriculum, assessment, pedagogy and child development.

• Create a safe and positive culture that promotes belonging, wellbeing and high achievement.

• Use evidence, professional dialogue and quality assurance to improve outcomes for students.

• Inspire, coach and develop colleagues, building leadership capacity across the school.

• Build strong partnerships with students, colleagues, parents and the wider community.

• Contribute actively to whole-school improvement and the wider life of the school.

Leadership Portfolio and Role Flexibility

The Deputy Head will join a Primary School Senior Leadership Team that currently consists of a Head of Primary, 3 Deputy Heads and an Assistant Head. The successful candidate will hold responsibility for an agreed phase and strategic portfolio within the Primary School.

• The portfolio will be determined in response to the successful candidate’s strengths and experience, the expertise of the existing leadership team and the evolving needs of the school.

• Phase responsibility may include Early Years and Key Stage 1, or Lower Key Stage 2.

• Strategic responsibility may include; safeguarding and pastoral care; behaviour and relationships; quality assurance; community engagement; health & safety and operational leadership.

Responsibilities may be reviewed and redistributed within the Primary Leadership Team over time to secure the strongest collective leadership and greatest impact for students and staff.

Areas of Responsibility and Key Tasks

Strategic Leadership

• Work with the Head of Primary to develop and implement the vision, values and strategic priorities of the Primary School.

• Contribute to whole-school self-evaluation, improvement planning and accreditation processes.

• Lead and evaluate improvement initiatives that strengthen outcomes for students and staff.

• Provide professional challenge and support, promoting accountability and continuous improvement.

• Deputise for the Head of Primary when required.

Leadership of People

• Lead, line manage, coach and develop Year Group Leaders and other middle leaders as allocated.

• Build leadership capacity and support effective professional review and growth processes.

• Contribute to the recruitment, induction, development and retention of excellent staff.

• Foster a collaborative culture characterised by positive relationships, respectful professional challenge and collective responsibility.

• Lead productive meetings and ensure agreed actions are implemented effectively.

Student Wellbeing, Behaviour, Relationships and Safeguarding

• Promote a culture in which safeguarding, wellbeing and positive relationships underpin decision making.

• Ensure students feel safe, known, valued and supported to participate fully in school life.

• Support the implementation and evaluation of safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures.

• Lead designated aspects of safeguarding, pastoral care, behaviour and relationships according to the agreed approaches and policy.

• Work constructively with families, colleagues and external agencies to support vulnerable students.

Teaching, Learning and Curriculum

• Support the development of consistently high-quality, inclusive teaching and learning environment.

• Monitor and evaluate provision through agreed quality assurance processes.

• Coach and support leaders and teachers to develop practice and improve student outcomes.

• Promote evidence-informed innovation while maintaining high academic expectations.

• Ensure provision responds effectively to students with diverse language, learning and educational needs.

Assessment, Achievement and Quality Assurance

• Support the strategic development of assessment, recording and reporting practices.

• Monitor achievement, progress and participation, using evidence to identify priorities and evaluate impact.

• Ensure assessment information informs teaching, intervention and improvement planning.

• Communicate achievement and progress clearly to students, families and relevant stakeholders.

• Contribute to robust review of strategic and operational priorities.

Operational and Organisational Leadership

• Support the smooth and effective day-to-day operation of the Primary School.

• Contribute to timetabling, staffing, deployment, resource allocation, campus planning and organisation.

• Ensure systems and routines support excellent learning, safeguarding and staff effectiveness.

• Work collaboratively with operations, departments, primary and secondary colleagues where shared systems and facilities require coordination.

Community Engagement

• Build strong and respectful relationships with students, families and the wider school community.

• Communicate school priorities and developments clearly through presentations, workshops and written communication.

• Support admissions, transition, marketing and community events as appropriate.

• Promote and celebrate the achievements, values and inclusive ethos of the school.

Other Requirements

• Contribute positively to the morale and community spirit in the school.

• Work effectively in and across teams and support the wider life of the school.

• Assist in whole-school marketing initiatives and contribute to the growth of the school.

• Operate at all times within the stated policies and practices of the school and Nord Anglia Education.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of excellent pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, leadership and safeguarding.

• Take responsibility for ongoing professional learning and development.

• Meet responsibilities relating to safeguarding, health and safety, EDIB and professional conduct.

Undertake other reasonable duties allocated by the Principal or Head of Primary.

Qualifications/Training:

• Degree qualification.
• Minimum 5 years of successful teaching or leadership experience within the education sector
• Qualified Teacher Status or recognised equivalent.
• Evidence of sustained professional learning and leadership development.
• Master's degree, NPQH, NPQSL or equivalent leadership qualification (preferred)
• Experience leading one or more of safeguarding, wellbeing, curriculum, assessment, quality assurance or school operations.