PRINCIPAL - PRIMARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL - NORWAY
CLOSING DATE: UNTIL FILLED
STARTING DATE: ASAP
Discovery is a school for children from every land, Norwegian, or foreign.
The vision of Discovery International School is to provide the absolute best learning environment possible to maximize the learning potential of every student.
To accomplish this, we have chosen to use the world-renowned International Baccalaureate Program, coupled with a tremendous emphasis on Music, Art, and Drama.
Main duties and responsibilities:
Administration
Pedagogical
Leadership
Students
Parents/
Guardians
Staff
Resourcing and facilities
Marketing
Other duties
Job Scope:
The Principal has overall responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the school, for the management of the school site, for the education and welfare of the students and for maintaining excellent communication with all members of the school community.
He or she is a member of the senior management team (which includes owners, Chair of the Board, and Managing Director). As
the school is still a small start-up, this position is a 70% Principal position with PYP and MYP coordinator responsibilities and a 30% Teaching position.
Administration:
In relation to the designated site, be responsible for implementing the decisions of the
Board and the Managing Director and ensure that the school’s practices comply with its policies.
With the Managing Director and the HMS Advisor, ensure that the school site’s policies and procedures comply with Norwegian law and, in particular, the requirements of the
Private School Law, the Education Act, and the Working Environment Law. The Principal is the operational HMS Manager.
Identify school purchasing needs while at the same time looking for ways to be economical within the approved budget. The Principal needs to work with the Managing Director/Business Manager to make sure they are provided with all information required for them to keep full and accurate accounts.
Attend meetings of the Board as an observer and provide information to the Board as required.
Prepare documentation and oversee the processes associated with school authorizations, evaluations and accreditations.
Take a leading role in reviewing and updating policies and handbooks with input from the school community.
Keep the Managing Director informed about all aspects of the operation of the designated site.
Pedagogical Leadership:
Promote the philosophy and objectives of the school, ensuring that the school culture reflects the school’s vision and mission, and that the school’s educational philosophy is aligned with the IB.
Provide PYP and MYP Coordinator leadership to the teachers and ensure that consistently high standards are maintained in all areas of the curriculum in line with the best international and national practices;
Ensure that a well-balanced curriculum is developed and implemented in line with the philosophy and objectives of the school and within the IB program.
Ensure that procedures are in place to account for the effectiveness of the school’s educational provisions including assessment, testing and reporting.
Where appropriate, ensure that all requirements of external examining boards and assessment agencies are met.
Teach approximately 30% of the time. The subject matter is not fully determined, but a candidate with English, Music, and Math skills is a plus.
Actively participate in the continuous development of the whole school.
Students:
Have oversight of all aspects of student wellbeing, care and welfare and deal with individuals, situations, and issues of a particularly serious nature in conjunction with other staff and in accordance with the school’s code of behavior. We have a zero-tolerance for bullying. Make sure that the systems in place are utilized to monitor student attendance and to collect, maintain and store necessary information relating to students.
Ensure that the psychosocial environment of the school and the measures taken to manage student behavior and disciplinary processes are in line with the philosophy of the school and the regulations of Norwegian law.
Ensure that students applying to attend the school are welcomed, provided with the necessary information, and arrange for their admission in accordance with the admission policy.
Parents/Guardians:
Ensure that all parents/guardians are informed of current and future activities and issues at the school through meetings, publications and communication systems.
Ensure that parents/guardians are kept informed of their children’s progress and are involved in decisions affecting their welfare.
Act as the main contact person for discussing with parents/guardians any concerns they may have that are outside the normal teacher/parent scope. Deal with these concerns or refer them to the Director as appropriate.
Liaise with the school’s FAU and ensure good communication with that group.
Staff:
With the Managing Director, evaluate staffing needs and, within the staffing limits and rules set by the Board, recruit teachers of the highest possible caliber.
Draw up appropriate timetables and monitor workloads among teachers and other staff members.
Ensure that teaching staff and classroom assistants carry out their duties effectively and that they provide and maintain the required curriculum, assessment and administrative documentation.
Ensure that members of staff are carrying out their duties, in accordance with their job descriptions, in a professional and effective way.
Provide support and ensure that resources required for implementation of the curriculum are available to the staff as the budget allows.
Facilitate appropriate professional development opportunities for staff and administer the appraisal program for teachers.
Organize regular meetings and seminars for professional staff to support of the smooth operation of the campus.
Be responsible for the orientation of new staff members and provide some guidance to facilitate a smooth transition into life in Norway for staff members arriving from abroad.
In consultation with the Managing Director, employ part-time or substitute teachers when required.
Oversee welfare, disciplinary and competence issues involving staff and take necessary corrective action.
Ensure staff members are kept informed of the main issues from Board meetings and other matters that may be of interest.
Ensure that problems with employees are brought to the attention of the Managing Director.
Be aware of Norwegian employment law and utilize the proper procedures to document employee behavior.
Resourcing and Facilities:
Work with the Managing Director and Business Manager and to ensure that the school’s buildings and grounds are safe, well-maintained and conducive to a healthy learning environment.
Ensure that protocols and routines associated with safety and security are in place, widely understood and regularly reviewed.
Work with other members of the Senior Management Team to ensure that a suitable budget proposal is presented to the Board which meets the needs of the school.
Authorize expenditure in conjunction with the Managing Director, within the approved budget.
Ensure that buildings, grounds and equipment are safe and in good operational order and communicate maintenance needs to the Board.
Marketing:
Together with the Managing Director, annually develop a marketing plan for the School in order to meet the enrollment goals of the school.
Together with the Senior Management Team and other available resources at the school, implement the marketing plan.
Jointly, with the Managing Director, be responsible for the recruiting of new students and annually review the effectiveness of the recruiting program.
Other Duties:
Deputize for the Managing Director when called upon to do so.
Represent Discovery International School in other forums as may be required and agreed.
Carry out such other duties and responsibilities as the Managing Director may from time to time assign.
Key relationships:
Internal Students: Teachers, Managing Director, Business Manager, Board
External Parents: Ringerike Municipality, Viken County, UDIR, Abelia/Forum for Friskoler
Position requirements:
Education Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with relevant experience
Must Have Skills:
• Fluent in English (Native preferred)
• High proficiency in Norwegian
• PYP/MYP Coordinator Experience
• Teaching Experience with a specialty (English, Music, Math, etc.)
Experience:
• Prior Principal experience or significant leadership experience in a Norwegian-based school
• Teaching experience
• IB PYP/MYP Coordinator experience or equivalent
• Previous international experience is highly valued
• Curriculum development experience
Competencies:
• Demonstrate professionalism, commitment, integrity, strength of character and perseverance
• Inter-culturally aware with well-developed interpersonal skills
• Inspires trust and confidence in students and colleagues
• Outgoing and enthusiastic
• Shows a strong work ethic
• Articulate communicator
• Committed to ensuring high standards of teaching
• Willing to contribute where needed
• Able to deal with conflict and make wise, judicious decisions
Additional requirements:
• This is an "independent position" as defined by Norwegian law. Candidates must understand that their work day includes evenings and weekends and during school breaks when necessary.
• Candidates must be self-managed, self-motivated, resourceful, and think "out of the box."
Salary & Benefits:
The salary and benefits package will reflect the fact that the school is committed to excellence and is in line with Norwegian Labor Law.
Contract:
Contract Minimum 1-year contract
Of special note:
In line with international standards, Discovery International School maintains strong child protection policies and procedures. All applicants are screened to ensure that they meet the legal and ethical requirements for employment in Norway. Our school strives to provide a safe, secure environment for all students.
All appointments must provide the school with an up-to-date DBS/Police Clearance/Certificate of Good Character as required by Norwegian Law.
Please send your application to: heidi.hannisdal@discoveryschool.no and include REF: www.ibschooljobs.com - Application for Position as Principal - in the subject line of your mail.