National Head of Secondary, Academic

Date: 13 Nov 2025Location:CNJob ID: 7668SchoolCompany: Nord Anglia EducationAcademic Leadership and Strategic DirectionLead the academic vision and strategy for the Secondary School in line with the whole-school improvement planEnsure the design and delivery of a balanced and challenging curriculum that meets the needs of bilingual learners and prepares students for IGCSE, IB, A-Level, and Chinese examinations.Oversee academic quality assurance processes including departmental reviews, lesson observations, and performance data analysis.Lead curriculum development, ensuring vertical and horizontal coherence and effective transitions between grade levels.Embed Nord Anglia's global programmes and collaborations into the Secondary curriculum to enrich learning opportunitiesTeaching, Learning, and Assessment ExcellenceFoster a high-performing culture where effective teaching, learning, and assessment practices are consistently implemented.Establish and monitor the Secondary assessment system to ensure accuracy, consistency, and meaningful data use.Lead professional learning to enhance pedagogy and assessment literacy across departments.Ensure students receive timely feedback, academic support, and learning interventions based on data insights.Staff Professional DevelopmentLead, inspire, and support the Secondary Leadership Team and Heads of Department to achieve excellence.Recruit and retain high-quality teachers following Nord Anglia's "Outstanding Teachers for Outstanding Schools" framework.Conduct performance management, mentoring, and coaching to ensure continual professional growth.Create a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation among teaching staff.Student Achievement, Wellbeing, and BehaviourMonitor student progress, attendance, behaviour, and wellbeing to support academic success.Work closely with tutors, Heads of Year, and counsellors to ensure holistic student development.Develop initiatives to enhance student motivation, study habits, and academic independence.Parent and Community EngagementBuild strong relationships with parents through transparent communication and academic reporting.Support parent workshops, academic forums, and conferences to enhance home-school collaboration.Represent the school at key events, fostering advocacy and positive reputation.Government and Compliance LiaisonMaintain active communication with local Education Commission and Education College.Ensure all Secondary academic operations comply with Chinese government policies and Nord Anglia guidelines.Attend relevant government meetings and audits as school representative.PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONSQualifications/TrainingUniversity educated with an Honours DegreeHold a recognised teaching qualificationEvidence of ongoing professional developmentFurther degree of educational or leadership qualificationSkills and KnowledgeStrategic leadership ability to design and execute academic strategies aligned with school visionDeep understanding of international curricula (IB & A-level) and their integration with the Chinese National Curriculum.Strong data literacy and ability to interpret student performance data to inform teaching improvement and intervention planning.Sound understanding of effective teaching methodologies, differentiation, bilingual education, and blended learning approaches.Comprehensive knowledge of school self-evaluation frameworks, lesson observation protocols, and academic audit processes.Proven capability in leading, coaching, and developing high-performing academic teams with a culture of accountability and collaboration.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for engaging with parents, students, staff, and government authorities.Solid operational understanding of managing budgets, staffing, and timetable planning within academic departments.Cultural awareness and agility in navigating both Chinese and international education contexts.Strong innovation and change management skills, with the ability to promote continuous improvement and educational excellence.Fluency in English is essential, Mandarin proficiency preferred.