Head of Years (Up to Year 4) / Head of Years (Up to Year 4)

Job Purpose

Aiglon College is an esteemed international boarding school located in the breathtaking Swiss Alps, renowned for providing a challenging and transformative holistic education within a safe, caring, and supportive framework. The school is CIS accredited and welcomes approximately 500 students aged 5-18 from 65 different nations. While students prepare for their Cambridge IGCSEs and the IB Diploma Programme in their final years, our unique learning philosophy is embraced from the very beginning, ensuring a seamless journey through education. The Junior School is an integral part of our institution yet operates as a distinct section focused on students up to Year 8.

We are looking to appoint an innovative, caring, and dynamic Head of Years (Up to Year 4) by August 2027, with the possibility of an earlier start in January or April 2027 for the right candidate. The new Head of Years will provide operational leadership and support strategic development for the lower junior phase, manage class teachers and teaching assistants up to Year 4, and collaborate closely with the Director of Junior School and Head of Junior Curriculum and Academics.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced primary or early years specialist with leadership experience, preferably in an international setting. Expertise in early childhood education, literacy and numeracy foundations, and outdoor/experiential learning is essential. Familiarity with inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, or biophilic education would be an added advantage.

This position entails a teaching component and offers a unique opportunity to lead and nurture our youngest learners in a captivating alpine environment.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Put students first.
• Lead day-to-day operational and educational provision for students up to Year 4, collaborating with the Head of Junior Curriculum and Academics.
• Participate actively in Junior School Leadership Team meetings and contribute to strategic planning for the lower primary phase.
• Manage classroom teachers and teaching assistants for Years up to Year 4, promoting a collaborative and high-performance staff culture.
• Deliver and coordinate the Mountain School programme up to Year 4 in partnership with the Head of Junior Expeditions and the Head of Junior Curriculum and Academics.
• Serve as the primary contact for academic, pastoral, and operational matters for families and day students up to Year 4.
• Uphold the ethos and values of the school, being a role model for both staff and students.
• Engage in discipline and pastoral matters for students up to Year 4, ensuring behavior aligns with school expectations.
• Facilitate seamless transitions and inductions for children entering Year 1 and progressing through to Year 4.
• Embed the Guiding Principles throughout daily routines and learning environments for students up to Year 4.
• Assist in staff recruitment for lower junior phase positions as necessary.
• Engage in classroom teaching with a reduced load (approximately 20% reduction).
• Adopt innovative assessment methods, play-based learning, and holistic reporting for young learners.

Responsibility for the Wellbeing and Safeguarding of Students

• Oversee the pastoral care, wellbeing, and progress tracking of all students up to Year 4.
• Recognize the importance of safeguarding in managing student interventions, collaborating with the Junior School DSL and wellbeing team.
• Work with the Director of Junior School and the Junior School DSL to implement safeguarding and wellbeing policies.
• Execute a nurturing Wellbeing programme across Years up to 4 aligned with the Spirit Curriculum.
• Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the Spirit Curriculum to cultivate a positive, inclusive culture.
• Coordinate with the Junior Activities Coordinator and House teams to facilitate appropriate co-curricular activities and experiences.

Academic Responsibilities

• Lead the daily implementation and delivery of the lower junior curriculum, including 'Wonder' projects.
• Collaborate with the Head of Junior Expeditions to develop the experiential Mountain School curriculum.
• Champion sustainability and outdoor exploration in classroom and Mountain School activities.
• Ensure Aiglon's Guiding Principles are integral to all teaching and learning activities for students up to Year 4.
• Assist in monitoring student progress and supporting personalized learning.
• Support the Head of Junior Curriculum and Academics in professional development reviews for staff teaching up to Year 4.
• Oversee internal assessments and reporting for parent-teacher communication up to Year 4.
• Promote the effective use of educational technology in a safe and age-appropriate manner.
• Engage in continuous professional learning for the lower primary phase.
• Monitor and enhance teaching and learning standards for students up to Year 4.
• Undertake other responsibilities as directed by the Director of the Junior School or Head of Junior Curriculum and Academics.
• Understand and implement all school policies, particularly those related to safeguarding.
• Embrace AI and educational innovations that enhance early learning experiences.

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.