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Deputy Head Academic, Prep School at Durham International Schools
Durham International Schools
October 7, 2026
Full-time
On-site
Summary of Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
The Deputy Head Academic is a key member of the Prep Senior Leadership Team, responsible for leading and managing the day-to-day academic provision of the Prep School and promoting excellence in teaching and learning, in line with the School's values, ethos and educational philosophy.
Working collaboratively with the Head of Prep, Year Group Leads, Learning Enrichment Team and teaching staff, the Deputy Head Academic will oversee curriculum, assessment and pupil progress from Little Durham to Year 6, promoting clear progression across Prep and effective transition into Senior School.
The Deputy Head Academic will combine excellent academic organisation with an in-depth understanding of curriculum, assessment and effective pedagogy. They will play a key role in curriculum development, the effective use of assessment and data, professional learning, and developing the capacity of middle leaders as the School continues to grow.
Strategic Direction
Provide professional leadership and guidance on academic matters across the Prep School, promoting the highest standards of teaching, learning, curriculum and assessment.Contribute to Prep and whole-school strategic planning, self-evaluation and the School
Development Plan, working closely with the Head of Prep and Prep Senior Leadership Team.
Oversee curriculum, assessment and reporting from EYFS to Year 6, promoting clear progression across Prep and effective transition into Senior School.
Develop and review academic and assessment policies, ensuring they meet BSO minimum standards and support the School's readiness for inspection and accreditation, including ISI inspection.
Promote academic excellence, intellectual curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.
Remain informed about current educational research, developments and effective practice to support the continued development of the Prep School
Leadership and Management
Lead academic self-evaluation and improvement, monitoring the quality of teaching and learning and identifying priorities for continued development.
Oversee pupil progress, assessment and academic tracking, ensuring the effective use of internal and standardised assessment, including GL assessments and comparative judgement, to inform teaching and improve pupil outcomes.
Work closely with the Deputy Head Pastoral and Learning Enrichment Team to identify appropriate academic interventions and support adaptive teaching and appropriate accommodations.
Coordinate key academic systems and processes, including timetabling and specialist teaching across the School, the assessment and reporting calendar, academic tracking and the effective use of iSAMS.
Lead and coordinate professional learning in response to School priorities and identified needs, working with Year Group Leads and HR to support continued improvement in teaching and learning.
Develop the capacity of middle leaders, supporting and empowering them to lead improvement within their areas of responsibility, and contribute to preparation for the academic aspects of inspection and accreditation.
Curriculum Development
Provide vision and leadership for the continued development of an ambitious, innovative and engaging curriculum from EYFS to Year 6, informed by the EYFS framework and English National
Curriculum as appropriate, while making meaningful use of the School's Kenyan context to enrich learning.
Lead curriculum design, planning, implementation and evaluation, using assessment information and evidence of pupil progress to inform continued curriculum development and improvement.
Develop clear curriculum maps and planning frameworks that support continuity and progression across Prep and, in collaboration with Senior School colleagues, curriculum coherence across the whole School.
Promote inclusive and adaptive approaches to teaching and learning, ensuring appropriate support and challenge for pupils with SEND, EAL and high academic potential.
Work collaboratively with Year Group Leads and subject leaders to develop curriculum provision and support them to lead effectively within their areas of responsibility.
Promote the purposeful use of digital technology and ensure that curriculum resources effectively support high-quality teaching and learning.
Remain informed about relevant Kenyan, British and international developments in curriculum, assessment and educational practice.
Communications
Build positive and professional relationships with pupils, parents, colleagues and the wider school community.
Communicate clearly and effectively with parents about curriculum, assessment, pupil progress and other academic matters.
Present and articulate the School's academic provision, performance and priorities to staff, parents,
Governors, inspectors and other stakeholders as appropriate.
Safeguarding and Wellbeing
Promote and safeguard the welfare of all pupils, fulfilling safeguarding responsibilities in accordance with School policies and procedures.
Work collaboratively with the Deputy Head Pastoral, Learning Enrichment Team and teaching staff to ensure that academic provision supports pupils' individual learning needs and wellbeing.
Promote an inclusive learning culture in which high expectations, appropriate challenge and effective support enable every pupil to make progress and flourish.
Qualifications and Experience
The successful candidate will:
Hold a UK Honours degree or equivalent and a recognised teaching qualification.
Have teaching experience within the primary age range and an in-depth understanding of children's learning and development across Early Years and primary phases.
Have successful leadership experience at middle or senior leadership level, with the ability to lead, inspire and develop colleagues.
Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of curriculum development, assessment and effective pedagogy.
Have experience of monitoring and developing the quality of teaching and learning and using assessment information and data effectively to improve teaching and pupil outcomes.
Demonstrate experience of developing and supporting colleagues and contributing to high-quality professional learning.
Have strong organisational skills and the ability to combine strategic thinking with effective day-to-day academic leadership.
Be confident in the effective use of digital technologies to support teaching, learning and academic systems.
An NPQH or relevant postgraduate qualification would be advantageous.
Personal Qualities
The successful candidate will:
Be an inspirational, collaborative and approachable leader with high expectations for themselves and others.
Be passionate about excellent teaching and learning and committed to ensuring that every child is known, valued and inspired to flourish.
Be innovative, adaptable and forward-thinking, with the ability to contribute positively to a growing and developing school.
Be an excellent communicator and relationship-builder, able to work effectively with pupils, colleagues, parents and the wider school community.
Be committed to developing others, empowering colleagues and building leadership capacity.
Be fully committed to the values, ethos and educational philosophy of Durham International School.
Remuneration Terms and Conditions
The initial contract is for a period of two years, renewable thereafter.
Remuneration package in line with experience and qualifications, and will be commensurate with the responsibilities of the role.
Benefits include medical insurance and pension
The Deputy Head Academic is a key member of the Prep Senior Leadership Team, responsible for leading and managing the day-to-day academic provision of the Prep School and promoting excellence in teaching and learning, in line with the School's values, ethos and educational philosophy.
Working collaboratively with the Head of Prep, Year Group Leads, Learning Enrichment Team and teaching staff, the Deputy Head Academic will oversee curriculum, assessment and pupil progress from Little Durham to Year 6, promoting clear progression across Prep and effective transition into Senior School.
The Deputy Head Academic will combine excellent academic organisation with an in-depth understanding of curriculum, assessment and effective pedagogy. They will play a key role in curriculum development, the effective use of assessment and data, professional learning, and developing the capacity of middle leaders as the School continues to grow.
Strategic Direction
Provide professional leadership and guidance on academic matters across the Prep School, promoting the highest standards of teaching, learning, curriculum and assessment.Contribute to Prep and whole-school strategic planning, self-evaluation and the School
Development Plan, working closely with the Head of Prep and Prep Senior Leadership Team.
Oversee curriculum, assessment and reporting from EYFS to Year 6, promoting clear progression across Prep and effective transition into Senior School.
Develop and review academic and assessment policies, ensuring they meet BSO minimum standards and support the School's readiness for inspection and accreditation, including ISI inspection.
Promote academic excellence, intellectual curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.
Remain informed about current educational research, developments and effective practice to support the continued development of the Prep School
Leadership and Management
Lead academic self-evaluation and improvement, monitoring the quality of teaching and learning and identifying priorities for continued development.
Oversee pupil progress, assessment and academic tracking, ensuring the effective use of internal and standardised assessment, including GL assessments and comparative judgement, to inform teaching and improve pupil outcomes.
Work closely with the Deputy Head Pastoral and Learning Enrichment Team to identify appropriate academic interventions and support adaptive teaching and appropriate accommodations.
Coordinate key academic systems and processes, including timetabling and specialist teaching across the School, the assessment and reporting calendar, academic tracking and the effective use of iSAMS.
Lead and coordinate professional learning in response to School priorities and identified needs, working with Year Group Leads and HR to support continued improvement in teaching and learning.
Develop the capacity of middle leaders, supporting and empowering them to lead improvement within their areas of responsibility, and contribute to preparation for the academic aspects of inspection and accreditation.
Curriculum Development
Provide vision and leadership for the continued development of an ambitious, innovative and engaging curriculum from EYFS to Year 6, informed by the EYFS framework and English National
Curriculum as appropriate, while making meaningful use of the School's Kenyan context to enrich learning.
Lead curriculum design, planning, implementation and evaluation, using assessment information and evidence of pupil progress to inform continued curriculum development and improvement.
Develop clear curriculum maps and planning frameworks that support continuity and progression across Prep and, in collaboration with Senior School colleagues, curriculum coherence across the whole School.
Promote inclusive and adaptive approaches to teaching and learning, ensuring appropriate support and challenge for pupils with SEND, EAL and high academic potential.
Work collaboratively with Year Group Leads and subject leaders to develop curriculum provision and support them to lead effectively within their areas of responsibility.
Promote the purposeful use of digital technology and ensure that curriculum resources effectively support high-quality teaching and learning.
Remain informed about relevant Kenyan, British and international developments in curriculum, assessment and educational practice.
Communications
Build positive and professional relationships with pupils, parents, colleagues and the wider school community.
Communicate clearly and effectively with parents about curriculum, assessment, pupil progress and other academic matters.
Present and articulate the School's academic provision, performance and priorities to staff, parents,
Governors, inspectors and other stakeholders as appropriate.
Safeguarding and Wellbeing
Promote and safeguard the welfare of all pupils, fulfilling safeguarding responsibilities in accordance with School policies and procedures.
Work collaboratively with the Deputy Head Pastoral, Learning Enrichment Team and teaching staff to ensure that academic provision supports pupils' individual learning needs and wellbeing.
Promote an inclusive learning culture in which high expectations, appropriate challenge and effective support enable every pupil to make progress and flourish.
Qualifications and Experience
The successful candidate will:
Hold a UK Honours degree or equivalent and a recognised teaching qualification.
Have teaching experience within the primary age range and an in-depth understanding of children's learning and development across Early Years and primary phases.
Have successful leadership experience at middle or senior leadership level, with the ability to lead, inspire and develop colleagues.
Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of curriculum development, assessment and effective pedagogy.
Have experience of monitoring and developing the quality of teaching and learning and using assessment information and data effectively to improve teaching and pupil outcomes.
Demonstrate experience of developing and supporting colleagues and contributing to high-quality professional learning.
Have strong organisational skills and the ability to combine strategic thinking with effective day-to-day academic leadership.
Be confident in the effective use of digital technologies to support teaching, learning and academic systems.
An NPQH or relevant postgraduate qualification would be advantageous.
Personal Qualities
The successful candidate will:
Be an inspirational, collaborative and approachable leader with high expectations for themselves and others.
Be passionate about excellent teaching and learning and committed to ensuring that every child is known, valued and inspired to flourish.
Be innovative, adaptable and forward-thinking, with the ability to contribute positively to a growing and developing school.
Be an excellent communicator and relationship-builder, able to work effectively with pupils, colleagues, parents and the wider school community.
Be committed to developing others, empowering colleagues and building leadership capacity.
Be fully committed to the values, ethos and educational philosophy of Durham International School.
Remuneration Terms and Conditions
The initial contract is for a period of two years, renewable thereafter.
Remuneration package in line with experience and qualifications, and will be commensurate with the responsibilities of the role.
Benefits include medical insurance and pension