Full Time, Fixed Term

August 2025

14 November 2024

Discovery College is searching for exceptional leaders to fill three positions for Primary Middle Leader -Teams. These new positions are being established as part of an innovative restructure, replacing various TLR roles in the Primary sector. They are part of an approach that will support the College’s aspiration for a coherent, guaranteed, viable and future-focussed curriculum for all students in Year 1 - 13. Appointees will lead team development across two Primary year groups, in addition to holding class teacher responsibilities. Candidates should specify, in their letter of application, where they see their strengths in managing teams within a Primary sector context.


Job Summary
The role of the Middle Leader is vital in leading teams of people to secure the best possible education for students. Middle Leaders exemplify excellent professional practice, leading to high standards of teaching and learning within the curriculum. They lead the implementation of the College’s strategic objectives at the team level and collaborate with each other to ensure consistent and aligned practices across the College. They are transparent in decision-making and delegate authority to ensure all staff members contribute to leading the College, utilising the key skills and abilities of each individual. The work of the Middle Leader is vital to the implementation of the College’s 5 intended outcomes for every student: to be agentic, to be internationally minded, to flourish, to take principled action, and to achieve highly.


Key Responsibilities:

• Use your own professional role to ensure that the College is able to deliver on the 5 DC Outcomes for every student
• Take responsibility for ensuring excellent standards of professional practice and student outcomes in the area of responsibility
• Utilise Quality Assurance to ensure individual, team and Whole College understanding of the impact of professional practice on student outcomes.
• In the area of responsibility, research, identify/provide PD advice and support, implement, model, test, review and evaluate all programmes to ensure the best teaching and learning practices are developed and maintained.
• Support the academic, pastoral and co-curricular work of the school.
• Lead teams to provide learning opportunities for every student commensurate to her/his needs, abilities and stage of development.
• Establish effective and positive relationships with students based on mutual respect, recognising the individuality of each student and affirming their cultural identity.
• Provide a safe, effective, challenging learning environment and learning spaces in accordance with the mission and values of the College.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and implement (and where relevant contribute to the development of) ESF and College policies.
• Ensure alignment around agreed strategic objectives.
• Establish priorities and goals that support College-wide Strategic Planning and Objectives, the TLR Renewal Process, and the Professional Reflection and Development Process.
• Report to senior leaders and relevant other stakeholders on agreed goals.
• Collaborate with other middle leaders to create coherence across the College.
• Analyse and use relevant sets of data to track and improve student progress.
• Manage resources as appropriate to the area of responsibility.
• Coordinate the publication of team communications.
• Represent the College in key areas at ESF, local and international level.
• Develop and improve teaching and learning consistent with school and IB philosophy and practice.
• Develop, monitor and evaluate teaching and learning and assessment practices.
• Ensure collaborative curriculum planning and classroom practice in consultation with programme coordinators / other curriculum leaders and other key colleagues.
• Represent the team at meetings.
• Ensure effective communication between team members and senior leaders.
• Chair team meetings and provide feedback.
• Facilitate effective Professional Reflection and Development for staff members supervised.
• Manage day to day staffing for the team.
• Ensure the academic development and welfare of students is paramount.
• Coordinate student reports within area of responsibility.
• Line-manage support staff assigned to area of responsibility (if any).
• Perform other duties which may reasonably be assigned from time to time by the Principal or his/her delegate.

Core Capabilities/ Competencies Required:

• Adaptability
• Analysis/problem-solving
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Teamwork

Minimum Typical Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, or Bachelor's Degree in any subjects with PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate of Education), or equivalent

Minimum Typical Experience:

• An understanding of the IB and the key underpinnings of the curriculum frameworks is essential.

All teachers are expected to:

• Contribute to the school's extra-curricular programme throughout the year
• Participate in key school and PTA events on identified evenings and weekends
• Contribute to the Education Outside the Classroom Programme, including by leading residential excursions in urban or rural locations, in Hong Kong or overseas, as required

Teaching in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a premier destination for expatriate and local teachers. ESF Teachers enjoy a lucrative salary package and a high standard of living overall, in an exciting and vibrant world city. The teaching profession is highly respected, student motivation and outcomes are excellent, and all teachers receive considerable support from ESF with settling into Hong Kong, as well as with their professional development. Please feel free to contact us in advance about life in Hong Kong if you feel a conversation on this topic would be helpful.


Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and offers may be extended prior to the job closing date.
By applying for this position, your application may be considered for other opportunities (senior-level roles, head of department, etc.) within ESF.
ESF is an Equal Opportunities Employer
The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is fully committed to providing equal employment opportunity. ESF will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, colour, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, religion, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, creed, citizenship or any other status protected by local laws or regulations.
Personal data provided by job applicants will be used strictly in accordance with the ESF's Personal Data Policy, a copy of which will be provided upon request.
Aligned with the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection, we hold ourselves to a high standard of effective recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection.

Grow. Discover. Dream. This vision statement, created by the College community when the school was founded in 2007, recognizes Discovery College’s belief that students should be independent, critical and creative thinkers equipped with the skills, attitudes and values to contribute positively in this complex world in which we live.
The College strongly supports all subject areas with a robust academic curriculum, including the performing and creative arts, design and ICT. Technology is embedded across the curriculum, supported by a number of digital literacy staff and a 1:1 laptop programme from Year 6 onwards.
The College’s facilities are second to none, with an award-winning design that incorporates an exceptional performing arts centre, gymnasium spaces, 25m rooftop heated swimming pool, library, science labs and design technology rooms.