Job description

Job Description

Leadership & Strategic Contribution

The Assistant Head of Primary – Student Life shares with all colleagues responsibility for:

• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students in Primary, in line with school safeguarding policies and professional codes of conduct.
• Work in partnership with the Head of Primary and fellow Assistant Heads to contribute to strategic planning, policy development, and the delivery of agreed school priorities, ensuring a coherent and aligned approach across the Primary School. The Assistant Heads maintain shared awareness of key priorities and developments across Teaching & Learning and Student Life to enable effective leadership continuity and mutual cover in the absence of the Head of Primary or a fellow Assistant Head.
• Contributing to a consistent, positive, and inclusive school culture.
• Supporting high standards of student behavior through clear expectations and consistent practice.
• Maintain shared awareness of key priorities and developments across Teaching & Learning and Student Life to support leadership continuity and mutual cover when required.
• Work collaboratively with academic leaders, safeguarding leads, and support staff to enhance student wellbeing, engagement, and personalized pathways.
• Contribute to school improvement planning with a focus on student wellbeing, engagement, and culture.

Teaching Commitment

• The Assistant Head of Primary – Student Life maintains an active teaching commitment of up to 50%, ensuring close connection to classroom practice while fulfilling leadership responsibilities. Teaching allocations are reviewed annually in line with school priorities and operational needs.

Student Wellbeing & Behavior

• Lead and oversee school-wide student wellbeing and positive behavior management systems across Primary.
• Implement proactive, preventative, and restorative approaches that promote social, emotional, and behavioral development.
• Ensure consistent application of behavior expectations and pastoral systems across all grade levels.
• Monitor student attendance and punctuality, leading interventions and follow-up as required.
• Coordinate student transitions within Primary and between divisions.
• Coordinate student support services with relevant staff and departments, including: Counseling, Inclusion / Learning Support, EAL

Student Wellbeing, Behavior & Inclusion

• Lead and oversee school-wide student wellbeing and positive behavior management systems across Primary.
• Implement proactive, preventative, and restorative approaches that promote social, emotional, and behavioral development.
• Ensure consistent application of behavior expectations and pastoral systems across all grade levels.
• Monitor student attendance and punctuality, leading interventions and follow-up as required.
• Coordinate student transitions within Primary and between divisions.
• Coordinate student support services with relevant staff and departments, including: Counseling, Inclusion / Learning Support, EAL

Safeguarding & Student Protection

• Serve as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Deputy DSL).
• Support safeguarding referrals, documentation, and follow-up in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Ensure safeguarding procedures are understood, implemented, and reviewed across Primary.
• Manage student-related legal, ethical, and organizational requirements, including confidentiality, documentation standards, and accommodation processes.

Leadership of Staff & Teams

• Provide formal pastoral line management to Grade Level Leaders.
• Support Grade Level Leaders in managing cohort wellbeing, culture, and parent communication.
• Provide line management for Learning Assistants, including deployment, guidance, and professional expectations.
• Model professionalism, reflective practice, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Student Life, Culture & Community

• Lead and coordinate key aspects of student life, including:
  • Assemblies, trips, and student-life initiatives
  • Community events and celebrations
  • School traditions and student leadership opportunities
• Promote student voice, belonging, and positive relationships across the Primary School.
• Serve as the lead for parent engagement and escalation related to student wellbeing, behavior, and attendance.
• Organize and lead meetings with parents and external professionals where appropriate to ensure positive outcomes for students.

Collaboration, Development & Systems

• Support collaborative approaches to student wellbeing across Primary and the wider school.
• Contribute to staff induction and professional learning related to pastoral care, safeguarding, and student support.
• Participate, as required, in the recruitment and appointment of Primary support staff.
• Lead regular reviews of student-life systems to ensure effectiveness, consistency, and alignment with school expectations.

Operational & Professional Expectations

• Support the effective day-to-day operation of the Primary School through visible leadership and presence.
• Participate in health and safety committees and relevant leadership forums.
• Undertake professional duties reasonably delegated by the Head of Primary, including activities outside the normal school day when required.

Position Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of three years of leadership experience in a Primary or comparable school setting.
• Demonstrated experience leading student wellbeing, behavior management, attendance, or pastoral systems.
• Experience coordinating student support services and working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience engaging effectively with parents in sensitive or escalated situations.
• Experience working within an American or American-international curriculum framework is strongly preferred.

Language: English is mandatory

Professional Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong understanding of student wellbeing frameworks, behavior management, and safeguarding practices.
• Knowledge of restorative and preventative approaches to student support.
• Ability to lead and support staff responsible for student wellbeing and pastoral care.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think strategically while remaining responsive to day-to-day student needs.
• High-level IT competency for educational leadership and administration.

Personal Attributes:

• Passionate about delivering quality education.
• Able to command the respect of students, colleagues, and parents.
• Highly organized, with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Driven by a desire to improve educational quality and advance school development.
• Reliable, detail-oriented, and committed to excellence.
• Innovative, with a willingness to embrace change and continuous improvement.

Additional Expectations:

• Uphold the school’s Vision, Mission, and professional standards.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries at all times.
• Fulfill duties in line with agreed expectations and contractual obligations.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding

and Health & Safety issues and 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 well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and 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.