Director of Preschool
German European School Singapore (Singapore)

School Details

As one of the leading international schools in Singapore, GESS is home to students from over 68 nations worldwide. We are for many families the home away from home and we are very happy that they are part of our school community which is based on mutual support and solidarity. With our language programme we support our students to nurture this part of their identity and want to preserve the opportunity that they can grow up with multiple languages to be best prepared for an international environment. With the German International Abitur or the IB Programme they are perfectly prepared for their career after school. It is important to me that our students enjoy lifelong learning and we take pride in our GESS values of respect, openness and diversity which our students will nurture in their life after school.

We were awarded with the “Deutsche Schulpreis” (German school prize) 2022, which was given to us for our extraordinary concept according to their motto “Make teaching better”. We stand out as the only German school abroad nominated for this award.

Facilities

GESS was founded in 1971 by German parents, a not-for-profit school that reinvests all its financial resources into teaching and learning. Our campus offers world class infrastructure and facilities for students aged from 24 months to 18 years of age, with close to 450 academic and administrative employees.

Our Preschool

We are both a German School Abroad and an International School. In our Preschool, we live and learn by our school values of Respect, Openness and Diversity. 

Our Preschool approach is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy of education, and built on the International Baccalaureate, Primary Years Programme, which provides a framework of core skills, knowledge, concepts and opportunities for children to take action based on their learning. 

We believe that all children are curious and have an innate desire to know about their world. They are powerful, unique and capable learners who develop their own understanding in many different ways. Our children join us from as young as 2 years old, and leave us at 6 years old, and we acknowledge and understand the research that supports play and inquiry as powerful learning tools for children. 

Our learning environments are intentionally prepared, and rich with opportunities for children to play, discover, experiment and explore. We very much believe in the classroom as the third teacher - and this extends to our pods, playground, corridors, and multidisciplinary rooms.

We are guided by a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) approach to student support, and endeavour to ensure that all children have access to the support that they need to grow and thrive here at GESS Preschool. Our approach is proactive, incorporating universal strategies, targeted support, and individualised interventions as needed.

Child protection and safeguarding is an underpinning principle of the work we do here at GESS Preschool and we have a strong commitment to safeguarding the children in our care.

We are a diverse community, with many nationalities, cultures and languages represented among our staff. This diversity is one of our strengths. No matter where you come from or what you believe, we are stronger together when we, as a community, put children first and live out our values and beliefs.

Position Qualifications

Director of Preschool
Start Date: 1st January 2025

The purpose of the Director of Preschool is to provide leadership through a clearly articulated vision for continuous improvement of teaching and learning. They are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Preschool and achieving and maintaining high-quality education and standards of learning for all students is the central goal. The Director of Preschool safeguards community involvement, engagement and well-being of students, parents, and teachers.

Strategic development and vision

• Contribute to and implement the strategic development of the school in accordance with GESS’ accrediting bodies and decisions made by SLT and SMT.
• Ensure all aspects of school performance are monitored and evaluated in a robust, cyclical manner.
• Develop and implement school policies and procedures.
• Contribute to innovation and change to improve teaching and learning practices across the school.

Student pastoral care and well-being

• Ensure that agreed standards of behaviour, such as the Code of Conduct, are communicated and implemented.
• Always ensure the maintenance of good order and discipline during the school day and whenever students are engaged in authorized school activities, whether on the school premises or elsewhere.
• Directly lead consequences or other outcomes for tier 3 behavioural issues.
• Ensure tier 1 and 2 behavioural issues are effectively managed by staff.
• Support and lead initiatives that prevent poor behaviour and support student well-being.

• Build structures, systems and develop learning environments to ensure students are supported throughout their educational journey.

Curriculum and pedagogy

General

• Communicate and implement a clear vision for high-quality educational standards in accordance with school policies and procedures.
• Plan, lead, and document purposeful and efficient faculty meetings.
• Ensure subject and grade level team meetings occur regularly and are run effectively.
• Support the development of excellent academics, athletics, arts, and activities (clubs, CCAs, community service, trips, etc.) for students at GESS.
• Ensure excellent curriculum and pedagogical practices are implemented in every classroom.
  

Pedagogy

• In consensus with PLT, plan effective professional learning opportunities for every staff member to improve their teaching practice.
• In consensus with PLT, plan and implement key pedagogy developments (e.g., differentiation, learning objectives, formative assessment) to ensure the improvement and standardisation of effective, research based, teaching and learning practices.
• Implement a multi-tier support structure, to differentiate planning and instruction for the range of student abilities (support and extension).

Curriculum

• Ensure curriculum is developed and followed by teachers through the phases of planning, teaching, and assessment.
• Ensure appropriate student assessment and relevant data is tracked, recorded, analysed, communicated, and acted upon to enhance student learning.

Operational

General

• Ensure the effective day to day operations.
• Ensure all teachers are fulfilling their roles and responsibilities effectively.
• Deploy and manage all teaching staff and allocate duties according to their conditions of employment.
• Work closely with the Director of Marketing & Admissions to review and assess applications within agreed timeframes and in line with the admissions policy.

Staff

• Manage the appraisal, recruitment and retention of staff in accordance with school policy.
• Ensure that teachers receive the information they need to carry out their professional duties effectively.
• Support leadership of the school to build capacity, recognize existing talents and encourage delegation.
• Ensure all Junior Level and Middle Level leadership positions are fulfilling their roles and responsibilities effectively.
• Challenge underperformance at all levels and put in place effective procedures to deal with underperforming staff in accordance with the school’s appraisal system.

Budget

• Submit any request as per GESS process and policy and according to academic operational budgets.
• With the Vice Principal and the Director of HR ensure staffing plans and recruitment remains on budget.
• With the Vice Principal ensure Professional Development plans are implemented and remain on budget.

Communication

• Ensure effective and timely communication with all members of the GESS community in accordance with policies, procedures and the Principal’s expectations.

Additional responsibilities

• All other responsibilities and tasks as deemed appropriate by SLT and the Line Manager.

Knowledge and Experience

An experienced leader with the following key areas of knowledge and expertise:

• A high degree of fluency in English/German.
• International/German school teaching and leadership experience.
• Educated to Degree Level, Masters (or equivalent) preferred.
• Qualified Teacher status with a minimum of 10 years of teaching experience.
• Proven leadership experience in a senior educational leadership role of minimum 5 years.
• Proven ability to develop opportunities for parental involvement.
• Good understanding of educational quality management and its role in relevance for the quality of performance in international schools.
• Proven understanding of effective teaching and learning theory and practice.
• A good understanding of the curriculum.
• An excellent understanding of contemporary international educational policies and best practices.

Child safeguarding statement

At GESS we adhere to fair employment practices that consist of hiring practices that are fair, merit-based and non-discriminatory.

We are committed to providing a world class, safe, happy environment in which children and young people are able to thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and child protection as we promote the welfare of all our pupils irrespective of race, ability, religion, gender or culture.

All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures including satisfactory reference and background checks and the offer of employment will be subject to the completion of these. In addition, the visa entry requirements for Singapore are subject to certain requirements being met. This includes but is not limited to, mandatory diphtheria and measles vaccination requirements for children attending school in Singapore will need to be in place prior to arriving in Singapore in order for the criteria for a child Dependent Pass to be met and the visa granted.

Application process

Interested candidates should apply as soon as possible; as screening will begin after receiving applications.  Interested candidates should submit the following:

• A letter of application explaining your strengths as a candidate and why you are interested in the German European School Singapore (GESS).
• A current resume.
• A statement of educational philosophy.

Candidates should submit their application via the GESS careers page GESS - Director of Preschool (lever.co) or via recruit@gess.edu.sg by September 20, 2024.

Candidates wishing to learn more about GESS can visit the school website at International School Singapore | GESS International School