Purpose of Role
The ISP Principal / Head of School leads with vision and integrity, fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive school culture where learning thrives. By working collaboratively with their team, parents, and the wider ISP network, they position the school as a "School of Choice," delivering exceptional learning experiences and outcomes that translate into increased enrollment growth and higher student retention. Their responsibilities encompass safeguarding, driving teaching quality through evidence-based improvement, strategic planning, community engagement, and commercial performance. Parents and students recognize and endorse the school for Amazing Learning, and teachers’ professional learning and development thrive under their stewardship. The ISP Principal / Head of School reports to the Regional Managing Director (RMD).
ISP Principles
- Begin with our children and students: Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are essential for learners and learning. We consistently identify potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues, acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
- Treat everyone with care and respect: We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences, and promote the wellbeing of ourselves and others.
- Operate effectively: We focus relentlessly on what is most important and drives the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared values of our community.
- Be financially responsible: We make financial choices carefully, based on the needs of our children, students, and schools.
- Learn continuously: Continuous improvement drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.
ISP Principal / Head of School Key Responsibilities
All sections weighted equally at 25% from a performance perspective.
People Development and Wellbeing (25%)
- Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students and adults in your school, creating an environment that enables learning without barriers.
- Lead your school with vision, empathy, and integrity.
- Build strong, empowered leadership teams through recruitment, development, and succession planning.
- Utilize ISP’s leadership programmes and Learning Hub platform to cultivate talent at all levels.
- Oversee the school’s annual performance and development cycle, supporting leaders through goal-setting, progress reviews, and professional growth planning.
- Ensure meaningful feedback and tailored development for every teacher through the broader development process.
- Foster employee engagement by modeling a culture of openness and inclusivity.
Student Learning Outcomes (25%)
- Prioritize the safety and learning of students at all times.
- Accountable for quality learning, progress, and achievement through relentless improvement of student outcomes and ISP Learning KPIs, leveraging data to inform strategy.
- Promote and implement ISP’s Learning.First Framework, embedding the Learning Improvement Process (LIP) and prioritizing the 5 Key Learning Pillars.
- Drive improvement through evidence-based data evaluation and teacher development systems.
- Lead the curriculum strategy to ensure relevance and alignment with student needs, parent priorities, and Future Pathways.
- Collaborate with the Regional Learning Director to enhance learning and teaching across the school.
Grow Community and Deliver Exceptional Customer Service and Experience (25%)
- Focus on delivering ISP’s School of Choice strategy, tailored to your local context.
- Promote and model the ISP Purpose and Principles through your daily actions and those of your leadership team.
- Advocate for ISP Learning.First, the 5 Key Learning Pillars, and ISP’s Strategic Initiatives to drive development and create trust in the community.
- Understand the school’s market and engage with target audiences to maximize student retention and enrollment.
- Collaborate with broader ISP teams to enhance branding, communications, and enrollments.
- Utilize parent feedback to inform action planning and engagement strategies.
- Foster a partnership culture through effective communication and two-way feedback between teachers and parents.
- Be accessible to parents and carers, ensuring their needs are understood and recognized as valued members of the school’s community.
Commercial Success (25%)
- Take responsibility for delivering on the school's commercial targets and KPIs, including financial, learning, people, marketing, health & safety, and safeguarding.
- Manage school resources efficiently to drive profitability, ensuring effective staffing allocation.
- Work towards enrollment growth and income generation KPIs to achieve financial goals.
- Enhance parent and employee NPS, satisfaction, and engagement surveys.
- Support the school team to ensure commercial and EBITDA targets are met.
Key Skills
- Strategic planning
- Educational leadership
- Safeguarding and Child Protection management
- Inclusive leadership
- Emotional intelligence
- Building community
- Stakeholder engagement
- Team development
- Performance management
- Engaging communication
- Data-driven decision-making
- Marketing insights
- Financial acumen
- Change management
- Collaborative mindset
ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles
ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, expecting all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks covering the previous 10 years of employment history.
ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
ISP is dedicated to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background, or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply online using the form below.