Full Time, Fixed Term

1/8/2025

28 February 2025

To lead and develop a collaborative shared vision for student learning to sustain an internationally minded community of learners and address the overarching mission of the school. Facilitate the continued development and effective delivery of the IB Primary Years Programme from K to Year 6 in close collaboration with the Section Heads. To take responsibility for ensuring high quality teaching, effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all students. To carry out other such associated duties as assigned by the Head of School or Head of Section.


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities and Tasks
Ensure ongoing development and review of the curriculum according to the standards and practices.
Ensure the standards and practices of the PYP are communicated to all staff and are implemented within the school.
Ensure all curriculum documentation is up to date on Manage Bac, including planning, reflections and resources.
Provide information about current PYP principles and practices to the school community including updates to the programme.
Provide parents with all relevant school documentation related to the curriculum.
Ensure staff are familiar with and implement assessment strategies and tools outlined in the school assessment policy, keeping up to date records of student’s progress.
Monitor student progress regularly in collaboration with staff, and ensure clear feedback is given to students.
Facilitate professional development of all staff, with regard to PYP principles and practices in the form of regular informative workshops (staff meeting time), in-service days, appraisal and PGPs and a dedicated induction programme for new staff.
Support teachers in collaborative planning, teaching and learning and assessment strategies.
Facilitate collaborative planning time for all year levels every week and whole staff collaborative planning meetings per unit of inquiry.
Collaborate closely with all middle leaders e.g. Pedagogical Leaders and Primary English Language Coordinator in carrying out their responsibilities.
Facilitate the sharing of good practice throughout the school e.g. offer and request peer observation, team teaching.


Communication
Maintain communication with IBO, responding to requests for information e.g. IB questionnaires.
Maintain links with other PYP schools sharing good practice through school visits and attending meetings during the year.
Ensure that teaching staff have access to all PYP publications and are kept informed of relevant correspondence received from the IBO.
Ensure that all staff have password access to the My IB section of the IB website and encourage regular use.
Monitor the communication of learning and assessment by teachers to relevant stakeholders e.g. through Seesaw and learning celebrations.
Inform parents about the programme through information sessions, new parent induction and curriculum newsletters in conjunction with the Section Heads.
Promote and facilitate effective communication throughout the school through meetings, agendas, emails, detailed calendar and face to face communication.
Represent and communicate the PYP at other meetings and forums in collaboration with the Section Heads.
Ensure all staff are informed of professional development opportunities and are aware of where to look e.g. IB website.
Make recommendations regarding professional development on and off school grounds for all staff.
Keep a record of in-school workshop attendance.
Welcome and support new staff and students joining the programme.
Take responsibility for coordinating and managing assessment and reporting including Manage Bac Reports.


Teamwork
Work in close collaboration with all members of the Primary Leadership Team (PLT) and Primary Pedagogical Team (PPT).
Promote and facilitate effective collaboration in PYP and collaborative planning and year level planning meetings through regular meetings with all members of the teaching teams.
Ensure teachers are working to the programmes designed for PYP implementation in line with UISG Action Plan.
Ensure that the curriculum documentation is maintained, up to date and is accessible to all;
Ensure the standardisation of assessment tools and teaching and learning strategies being used by teachers in each year level.
Facilitate effective peer support through release time for lesson observations/team teaching in collaboration with the Section Heads.
Promote liaison across the EY and Primary sections to ensure continuity and coherence in the curriculum.


School Planning and Organization
Oversee the creation and implementation of an action plan for the on-going development of the PYP within the school, involving the whole School Team.
Plan and deliver an induction programme for staff and parents new to the PYP.
Oversee implementation of an effective programme of professional development through a combination of in-school induction and workshops, IB regional workshops and other IB approved or relevant training opportunities.
Ensure the adequate provision of resources to enable effective teaching and learning of the PYP within the assigned budget for PYP including the Library/Media provision.
Plan and deliver a balanced staff meeting schedule during the year, addressing administrative issues, planning time and professional development opportunities.
Coordinate the planning, realisation and evaluation of the Year 6 Exhibition in conjunction with the Year 6 teachers.
Prepare and submit documentation relating to the Authorisation and Evaluation Visit reports e.g. action plan.
Support teachers in the planning of field trips to ensure that they are well organised and linked appropriately to the curriculum.
Liaising with the MYP and DP Coordinators to ensure articulation between the three programmes.

Our Mission...
Utahloy International School Guangzhou is committed to excellence in education. It strives to fulfill the unique potential of students by addressing their social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs in a supportive learning environment that prepares them for life in a multi cultural world as a global citizen.
Academic
We provide a school known for excellence with high academic achievement. We develop knowledgeable and effective communicators, thinkers and inquirers with a lifelong love of learning. The aims are achieved through the following objectives:

• maintaining a challenging and balanced, international curriculum;
• providing students with clear criteria for all assignments and assessments;
• ensuring monitoring, recording and analysis of assessment tasks;
• teaching to encourage active learning, open enquiry, critical and creative thinking, expression, reflection, independence of thought and decision making;
• ensuring a continuum is maintained through IB PYP, MYP and DP;
• offering a rich extra curricular programme;
• providing for gifted and talented students and students with special learning needs to be supported in concrete and effective ways;
• recruiting, retaining and developing excellent international teachers;
• providing opportunities for students to develop skills and perform to a high level in sport and performing arts;
• providing resources to meet the needs of all students, and teachers;
• integrating technology to enhance learning experiences.

Social & Emotional
We actively promote the development of each student's knowledge, understanding and skills in key social and emotional aspects of learning. We create a supportive environment to help students be reflective and caring in their actions, healthy and happy in life, principled and open-minded in spirit. Resilience, motivation and self-worth are promoted.
The aims are achieved through the following objectives:

• living and modelling the IB Learner Profile within our school learning community;
• providing a safe and healthy environment, offering pastoral care and services to support the well-being of all;
• providing opportunities for students to reflect on themselves as individuals, particularly their strengths as learners and how they learn most effectively;
• providing opportunities for students to be successful and be recognised for both effort and achievement in all they do;
• maintaining a school spirit characterised by open, positive and respectful relationships and a sense of belonging.

Learning Environment
We continuously upgrade our facilities and resources to provide an effective learning environment. We are authorised and accredited by respected international agencies. Clearly articulated administration and management systems support the learning environment.
The aims are achieved through the following objectives:

• maintaining efficient and effective organisational structures and systems, including admissions, SEN, staff and student welfare;
• incorporating a continuous cycle of self-review and strategic planning;
• ensuring information is updated frequently and all communication is open and effective;
• supporting an active UPTA that helps to welcome new families, organise social events and support school initiatives;
• developing and maintaining facilities for students, staff and families to enjoy.

Global Citizenship
We foster a sense of global interdependence and responsibility. We offer an international curriculum that is global in scope and outcomes. We prepare students and staff to become active members of their communities in the future.
The aims are achieved through the following objectives:

• advancing a curriculum with content that is overtly global across all areas of learning;
• providing opportunities for the development and sustenance of strong relationships with the host country and international communities;
• developing and maintaining Mother Tongue languages;
• providing opportunities for every student to learn the host country language;
• promoting multilingualism and multi cultural literacy;
• giving opportunities for students, staff and families to make a positive difference in the lives of others through the concepts of active empathy and service;
• promoting an attitude of responsibility for the guardianship of the planet;
• promoting an understanding of what it means to be a global citizen and a positive agent of change;
• developing and maintaining an alumni association to keep past parents, students and staff in contact.