Role Overview

Felixstowe International Academy is seeking a visionary and dynamic Principal / Head of Pre & Primary School with a strong background in the Cambridge International Curriculum. The successful candidate will provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight across the daycare, preschool, and primary school divisions while maintaining rigorous academic standards and nurturing a child-centered learning environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Curriculum & Instructional Leadership

• Oversee the implementation, quality assurance, and ongoing evaluation of the Cambridge Early Years and Cambridge Primary frameworks.
• Ensure teaching and learning standards strictly align with international best practices and Cambridge accreditation expectations.

2. Academic & Operational Management

• Direct day-to-day school operations, including academic timetabling, facility resource allocation, and extracurricular programming.
• Monitor student academic performance, oversee assessment frameworks, and enforce robust student welfare and safeguarding policies.

3. Staff Supervision & Professional Development

• Lead the recruitment, mentorship, classroom observation, and evaluation of academic and administrative support staff.
• Foster an institutional culture grounded in continuous professional development and instructional excellence.

4. Stakeholder Engagement & Governance

• Maintain active and transparent communication with parents through workshops, progress reviews, and community events.
• Ensure complete compliance with national educational regulations, local child protection laws, and safety guidelines.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on budget management, resource allocation, and facility expansion projects.

Qualifications & Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree: Bachelor of Education, Educational Leadership, Primary Education, or a related field.

Advanced Qualifications: A Master’s degree in Educational Leadership/Administration or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is highly preferred.

Work Experience Requirements

Leadership Experience: Minimum of 5 to 7 years in an educational leadership capacity (e.g., Headteacher, Principal, or Head of Department) within an international school environment.

Curriculum Expertise: Direct, proven track record in managing and delivering the Cambridge International Curriculum at pre-primary and primary levels.

Core Competencies & Skills

Deep technical knowledge of Cambridge Primary assessment tools, curriculum mapping, and school Management Information Systems (MIS).

Outstanding strategic planning, public speaking, crisis management, and emotional intelligence.

Demonstrated ability to build strong school-community partnerships in a multicultural setting.

• Oversee the implementation, quality assurance, and ongoing evaluation of the Cambridge Early Years and Cambridge Primary frameworks.
• Ensure teaching and learning standards strictly align with international best practices and Cambridge accreditation expectations.
• Direct day-to-day school operations, including academic timetabling, facility resource allocation, and extracurricular programming.
• Monitor student academic performance, oversee assessment frameworks, and enforce robust student welfare and safeguarding policies.
• Lead the recruitment, mentorship, classroom observation, and evaluation of academic and administrative support staff.
• Foster an institutional culture grounded in continuous professional development and instructional excellence.
• Maintain active and transparent communication with parents through workshops, progress reviews, and community events.
• Ensure complete compliance with national educational regulations, local child protection laws, and safety guidelines.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on budget management, resource allocation, and facility expansion projects.

• Deep technical knowledge of Cambridge Primary assessment tools, curriculum mapping, and school Management Information Systems (MIS).
• Outstanding strategic planning, public speaking, crisis management, and emotional intelligence.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong school-community partnerships in a multicultural setting.

• Bachelor of Education, Educational Leadership, Primary Education, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree in Educational Leadership/Administration or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is highly preferred.
• Minimum of 5 to 7 years in an educational leadership capacity (e.g., Headteacher, Principal, or Head of Department) within an international school environment.
• Direct, proven track record in managing and delivering the Cambridge International Curriculum at pre-primary and primary levels.