JSD Essentials | 1Internationally British

Headteacher of Junior School LeidschenveenStarting school year 2016 | 2017

The British School in The Netherlands (the BSN) is seeking an outstanding candidate for the position of Headteacher of our Junior School Leidschenveen (JSL).

With this unique opportunity we are looking for a candidate who can help lead the next period of our success, in one of the most dynamic and successful British international schools worldwide.

The BSN is in excellent shape and the growth of the BSN group of schools over recent years is evidence of its flexibility to meet demand and of the esteem in which it is held. Our commitment to educating for international understanding is reflected in our rich diversity and the breadth of our student and parent body: we are truly ‘Internationally British’.

Headteacher of Junior School Leidschenveen

students

Ages

440

423–11

nationalities

Internationally British

The postThis post becomes available from September 2016 following the very successful leadership of David Porritt, who has led the school since its opening in 2010. This well facilitated school is currently home to around 440 students, of 42 nationalities, aged 3-11 years. JSL is a collaborative learning community, where children, parents and staff feel valued. The challenge for the new Headteacher is to sustain and develop this high performing and dynamic school, ensuring a strong position to contribute to the BSN’s exciting future.

JSL is housed in a contemporary, attractive building which was purpose built in 2009. The campus has a large, stimulating playground and is also home to our Business Unit offices, the BSN Language Centre, a full-sized sports hall and an international child care facility. Internally the quality of equipment and learning materials is of a consistently high standard. Learning and administrative technology is centrally supported, and all classrooms have first class technology facilities.

There are 23 forms of entry at JSL with 3 classes in most year groups. The Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher oversee the daily, operational management of the curriculum, supported in each phase (FS, KS1, Y3&4, Y5&6), by a senior class teaching colleague known as an Achievement and Progress Leader (APL). APLs together with the Learning and Technology Manager form the school’s extended leadership team. APLs work closely with a Lead Teacher who is responsible for the alternate year group in their phase. Through this system all pastoral, curriculum management and development issues are addressed and managed. There are also specialist staff for Additional Educational Needs, English as an Additional Language, Modern Foreign Languages, PE and Music.

The school is well supported by its own administrative staff and maintenance team as well as the BSN Business Units. The staff are varied in age and length of service with some members new to the BSN and The Netherlands, and others who have been in post for over 10 years. This combination of professionals provides a good balance of experience and enthusiasm. Class teachers are responsible for all subjects with the exception of MFL, PE and Music. All teachers receive non-contact time (PPA) and those with posts of responsibility have additional release time. This welcoming school operates an open door policy. Parents are welcomed into the school and have many opportunities to meet with staff to discuss their child’s progress and well-being.

Mission and governanceThe BSN was founded in 1931 as a not for profit ‘Association’ and its mission is to provide education in the British tradition with an international perspective. This mission makes the BSN somewhat different from many other schools; we are here to serve our clientele – the international professional community in The Hague region, so we are not defined by a fixed number. Meeting this mission has required both flexibility and vision, we have successfully adapted to meet both growing student numbers and also the developing aspirations of the international community.

A unique opportunity to help lead the next period of the school’s success

A contemporary purpose built campus

AccreditationThe BSN is a leading member of COBIS and an international member of HMC. It has IB accreditation for both the IB diploma and the IB Career related Certificate. The school’s recent excellent inspection report by ISI (2015), attests to its quality.

The BSN group of schoolsThe BSN group of schools is based in and around The Hague. Our 3 Junior Schools and 1 Senior School are home to over 2,250 students, aged 3–18. Approximately 30% of our student body is British with 70% coming from over 80 other countries. Support for EAL is therefore important and well developed. Our Junior School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales but has been expertly adapted to meet the unique needs of our international student body.

BSN students achieve outstanding results and success in all fields and at all ages, with our Sixth Formers ultimately gaining entry to top universities around the world. Nevertheless we successfully operate a non-selective entry policy and we are proud to provide education to students of all abilities. Our Additional Educational Needs department provides excellent support for a range of additional needs and we employ, where needed Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) to give support to individuals.

Through our Language Centre we provide a range of courses for both adults and children in both the international and local Dutch community (approximately 1600 registrations per year). The centre offers everything from intensive Dutch or English courses to CELTA teacher training – alongside running after-school language classes and a very successful Summer Activities School.

Our client communityOver the years we have developed strong relationships with a wide range of major international corporations, with large international organisations (both UN and EU) and many national embassies. As The Hague continues to attract inward investment and further build on its remarkable success as the ‘International City of Peace and Justice’, we anticipate the recent growth of the school is set to continue. Student numbers at The BSN continue to climb as the high reputation of The BSN amongst the international community prevails.

Our students are drawn from the families of internationally mobile professionals; and while we cater for all abilities, the overall motivation, aspirations, level of parental support and standards of student behaviour are high. A great deal of effort is put into making arriving families feel welcome and supported and in maintaining close contacts at a high level with representatives of client organisations.

Families feel welcome and supported

A collaborative learning community

Our staffThe BSN employs almost 700 full and part time staff and 90 members of staff (a full-time equivalent of 63) are employed at JSL. They come from all over the world, though the largest numbers are from the UK – bringing considerable experience of the British educational tradition. A significant number – especially support staff – are recruited locally.

The recent growth of the school has resulted in a good balance between local experience and new ideas, and the age distribution is a perfect ‘bell curve’. Arrangements for staff training and professional development are very strong – with good links to UK and international school networks.

Management structureThe CEO & Principal leads the management of the BSN and each school is led by an experienced Headteacher (each Headteacher reports to the CEO & Principal). Together with the Director of Finance; this ‘Board of Management’ develops policy and manages operations. A number of specialist business departments provide strong central support for school operations and development. These professionally staffed Business Units are made up of Human Resources, Marketing Communications and Admissions; Information Systems; Finance and Operations.

FinanceThe BSN is financially strong and well managed by the Director of Finance, who reports to the CEO & Principal. We receive no subsidies from any government, so planned development is funded from fee income and where needed, through structured bank loans.

Future opportunities and challengesThe outlook for the BSN group of schools is both exciting and challenging and the successful candidate will play an important part in our future developments. Increased competition in the market place and sensitivity over price and added value is contrasted by an increasing appetite for British International education in both the international and local communities.

The BSN is an ambitious organisation – we strive to respond to educational change and to adjust and adapt to meet our clients’ needs. Like all good organisations we plan our developments with care. Together, the Board of Management and Board of Governors also engage in longer term strategic planning. Such planning led to the build of the Junior School Leidschenveen campus ago 6 years ago. Our strategic planning however is concerned with more than just the school’s estate. All members of the school community want to ensure that the nature of teaching and learning at the school is fit for the future.

Curriculum expertly adapted to meet the unique needs of our international student body

Staff training and professional development are very strong

The personThis is a demanding, but immensely interesting job – a wonderful opportunity for an approachable and inclusive leader, who has a passion and vision for education and likes working in an international context. The ideal candidate will be a true ‘people person’ with the ability to lead and inspire.

…an approachable and inclusive

leader, who has a passion and vision for education…We are looking for a candidate who is:

● An experienced teaching professional/primary leader, with an open and inclusive style

● A ‘people person’ who is able to maintain and develop the strong sense of community within the school

● Enthusiastic to further drive the Junior School developments together with the Headteachers of the other BSN schools

We are looking for a candidate who has:

● A commitment to and passion for the education, well-being and development of young people from 3 to 11 years

● An international outlook and an appreciation of the richness that a diversity of cultures brings to a British school context

● Outstanding communication skills and style, demonstrating enthusiasm and energy

● Experience in managing change or periods of transition

● A range of professional experience within primary education, ideally across sectors

Proud to operate a non-selective entry policy

Our excellent facilities support the latest teaching methods

Our offerThe Netherlands is one of the most welcoming of all EU member countries to professionals working abroad, and is a very easy and pleasant country in which to live and work. The working language of the BSN is English. The Dutch are excellent linguists and English is widely spoken by around 70% of the population.

Transport services and connections are excellent – our schools are located in The Hague, just 30 or so minutes from Amsterdam Schiphol airport, or in the other direction, from the Hoek of Holland ferry terminal. Public transport is fast, reliable and generally good value for money, but many choose the truly Dutch option of cycling – in a flat country with the most highly developed network of cycle paths in the world it is almost hard not to!

There is much more you can find out about the school and living in Holland from our website – www.britishschool.nl. The videos and photographs there, plus our most recent inspection report (#InternationallyExcellent), will help give you a clearer idea of who we are and, we hope, the excitement and potential of this post.

The salary for this position will reflect the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate, and will compete with those leaders of the best similar schools. Further details of this, along with pension contributions, health Insurance, housing, relocation package and other benefits, can be discussed with candidates invited for interview.

Application and interview datesCandidates wishing to apply should share their experience and enthusiasm in a letter of application and full curriculum vitae. Please go to the Current Vacancies page of our website where you can fill in our online application form, upload your documents and give the details of two referees: www.britishschool.nl/vacancies

Applications should reach us by 17 January 2016

Initial Interviews Dates | Thursday 28 and Friday 29 January 2016 Location | London, England

Final Interviews Date | To be confirmed Location | The Hague, The Netherlands

For those invited for initial interview, there will be ample opportunity to see if this is a good ‘fit’. For those who reach the final round of selection, there will be a full programme across the two days to ensure a thorough introduction to both Holland and the BSN.

www.britishschool.nl