Common Good creates opportunities for those marginalised by poverty and injustice to realise their full, God-given potential, and mobilizes the church to engage and act justly. Common Good was founded by Common Ground Church in 2005 as an independent and registered non-profit. What began as a staff of one and a half, has grown into multiple teams of development practitioners and specialists. On any given day, we impact thousands of lives in Cape Town and beyond through our Early Life, Education and Employment initiatives. We believe that investing in these three areas, while mobilising the church to live a lifestyle of social justice, has the greatest potential for positive change in our society.
Based in Cape Town, Common Good is seeking to appoint a pioneering leader to fulfil the position of: Head of Education
As the Head of Education, the incumbent will ensure that each Principal and School Leadership Team receives the appropriate balance of challenge, support and professional development that facilitates school improvement and crucially, achieves outstanding outcomes for learners. He/She will provide senior school leaders with the high-level direction and expertise required to enable him/her to provide purposeful leadership on a daily basis and to deliver an outstanding education for all learners through consistent and sustained improvement.
The Head of Education will be responsible for:
Leading and working closely with the Head of Academics and Instructional Development in ensuring clear alignment of key school improvement priorities and rigorously monitor progress against the actions required to meet them
Direct management, coaching and mentoring of each Principal to ensure both in-school and systematic improvement
Establishing a shared culture between schools that enables everyone to work collaboratively, share best practice, celebrate success and accept responsibility for outcomes
Ensuring that the schools (under the day-to-day leadership of the Principals) make rapid and sustained improvement, with minimal disruption to progress ensuring that aspirations and standards continue to rise over the long term
Ensuring that each Principal and School Leadership Team receives the appropriate balance of challenge, support and professional development that facilitates school improvement and crucially, achieves outstanding outcomes for learners. You will provide senior school leaders with the high level direction and expertise required to enable him/her to provide purposeful leadership on a daily basis and to deliver an outstanding education for all learners through consistent and sustained improvement.
Leading the design, direction and management of professional development of a group of Principals and School Management Team (SMTs) members, enabling us continually to raise the aspirations of learners and teachers alike. Evaluation of the success of initiatives and a readiness to change plans based on the success or failure of initiatives is essential.
Working to unite all schools in an unwavering commitment to the highest achievement for all, regardless of background or ability.
Playing a key role in the transition of schools into the Common Good Collaboration Schools network, embedding the Common Good vision and standards, ensuring proper induction for principals and their teams, and identifying specific areas for targeted intervention, as well as leading the design of school improvement plans.
Working closely with Common Good’s senior leaders to develop a range of communication strategies that strengthen the profile of Common Good and each of our schools with parents, stakeholders and the entire community we serve.
The Head of Education must meet the following criteria:
Recognised REQV14 teacher qualification / Recognised 3 to 4-year teaching qualification
At least 7 years actual teaching experience or direct experience working with individual schools to improve results
Minimum of 5 years in school management
Experience of having worked successfully in at least one school in an urban, multi-cultural setting, teaching students from backgrounds of socio-economic disadvantage
Successful team leadership and strong track record of results
Managed budget and financial processes
Skillful and engaging leadership and political nous for maintaining effective working relationships with parents and other stakeholders
Passion for Social Justice demonstrated through background/experience
Legislation and current international thinking on education achievement and improvement
Experience leading a network of schools highly advantageous
View the full job description and application instructions on the Vacancies page at www.actionappointments.co.za/vacancies and email your application by Friday 28th February 2020 to [email protected]