Head of School (WTF 0,6 - 0,8)

The organization

Amersfoort International School (AIS) is founded by AnnoNu, a leading group of 24 Dutch national schools in the Amersfoort region. With a shared vision, each and every school is encouraged to focus on its core mission: to provide the best education for students, delivered by outstanding professionals.

AIS started in 2023 and offers English-language international primary education to children aged 4-12 years old, from the international community in the Amersfoort region, located in the centre of the Netherlands. The school is in development and preparing for authorization for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP).

AIS is committed to providing a rigorous and relevant curriculum that promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills among our students. We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential elements of quality education, and we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.

Key responsibilities:

The Head of School is the chair of the leadership team, which is mandated by the board to lead the AIS. The team consists of the Head of School and the Programme Coordinator.

The team is responsible for the establishment and development of the school philosophy, purpose, culture, environment, resources, systems and structures to ensure that effective learning takes place across the school community.

The Head of School is responsible for the school as a whole, whereas the Programme Coordinator is responsible for the educational leadership.

The Head is, together with the board and other AnnoNu school leaders, responsible for creating and sustaining a high-quality learning environment and for contributing to the AnnoNu strategy.

Responsibilities for promoting the purpose of the school:

• Together with the Programme Coordinator, the Head of School articulates a purpose for learning that aligns with the philosophy and mission of both the IB as well as AnnoNu.

• Together with the Programme Coordinator, the Head of School embraces educational approaches that encourage students to become active, compassionate lifelong learners.

Responsibilities for the school environment:

• Leading, together with the full leadership team, regular reviews to ensure the school follows all IB rules, regulations and guidelines to support programme implementation and ongoing development. 

• Ensuring that the school includes on its pedagogical leadership team an IB-trained Programme Coordinator who is empowered to lead and facilitate successful programme implementation.

• Ensuring time for learning and teaching that provides a broad, balanced and connected curriculum and serves the changing needs of its community.

• Leading the school in implementing and reviewing systems and processes to improve the operation and sustainability of its IB programme.

• Ensuring funding and allocation of resources that sustain and further develop its IB programme.

• Facilitates all relevant staff to participate in appropriate and timely professional learning to inform their practice.

The profile

In order to do the above, the Head of School must be decisive and pro-active and have qualifications, knowledge and experience in the following:

• demonstrating overall leadership, including international mindedness,

• operational and financial management,

• promoting collaboration, connecting and inspiring, being an effective team player as well as being a visible figure in the school,

• continuously developing and innovating the school’s educational profile and expanding the relationship with the community,

• actively representing the school within the AnnoNu network of 24 schools and contributing to its wider development,

• strategically manoeuvring between multiple players (AnnoNu, legislators and regulators, parents, community leaders, Dutch International Schools and other relevant stakeholders),

• seeking opportunities for collaboration with the Dutch partner school,

• being knowledgeable and experienced with the local, national, and international educational environments, in particular the Dutch national context,

• being an effective communicator in both Dutch and a second language -English preferred- and in both formal and informal contexts,

• having a relevant academic and DUO recognized background, and

• being a role model for the school’s healthy lifestyle policy.