Package including Competitive Salary, End of Contract Bonus & Flight Allowance, Medical Insurance, Accommodation and Education for staff children.

Full Time, Permanent

August 2025

15 November 2024

School Details –
At Head Start we aim to stimulate students’ minds, as well as to encourage them to push beyond perceived traditional academic boundaries. It is our intention that through employing dedicated, enthusiastic and inspiring teachers, we will enthuse all our students to reach their potential and exceed expectations. We deliver a well-rounded personalised educational experience. We pride ourselves in being a community school, emphasising individual learning.
Head Start is based in the centre of Phuket Island and gained ‘International School’ status in 2010 and is a fully accredited International School with The Education Development Trust. In our most recent inspection, we were awarded the International Schools Quality Mark (ISQM) with accreditors recognising the school to be a ‘Good School with Outstanding Features’.
Our curriculum is based on the national curriculum of England and we offer Cambridge & Pearson qualifications in Secondary including IGCSEs, A Levels and BTECs. The school's main campus at Chaofah has 960 students on roll and is oversubscribed in most year groups.
In August 2023 we opened a new campus in the north of the island in Cherngtalay. This is a single form entry Foundation and Primary school for up to 200 students. In August 2024 the school expanded to become a two form entry school from Preschool to Year 9.
Secondary Principal (Cross-Campus) –
After seven years of service, the existing post-holder has decided to return to the UK with his family at the end of this academic year. As a result, we are looking to appoint an experienced and inspirational educational leader to the position of Secondary Principal to join the school in August 2025 and be part of our leadership team working across both campuses.
The Secondary Principal is responsible for the strategic development of all programs throughout the Secondary school, overseeing a Head of Secondary at the Cherngtalay campus and Heads of Lower Secondary (Y7-10) and Upper Secondary (Y11-13) at the Chaofah Campus.
The Secondary Principal will work closely with the Headmaster and CEO in developing the school in the coming years, including the expansion of the Secondary programs in Cherngtalay and the opening of a new college facility at the Chaofah Campus by August 2027.
The successful candidate will have the personal qualities for leadership and will lead by example, commanding the respect of students, colleagues and parents.
The Secondary Principal will work in partnership with the Heads, Deputy and Assistant Heads and the wider Senior Management Team to lead the pastoral and academic vision for the school.
The Secondary Principal will play a major role in developing school academic and pastoral policies and practices. They will have a proven track record of outstanding leadership where they will have be a key part of the development of Secondary programs and leading change. They will be an empathetic leader committed to excellence in academic provision and with an understanding of the pastoral issues that are commonplace within an international educational setting such as Head Start International School.
The successful candidate will draw upon their teaching and leadership experience to serve as an expert resource, mentor or counsellor for new and existing senior & middle leaders within the secondary school.
We are looking for a highly committed team player with drive, energy and passion who will inspire a love of learning within their students. A good sense of humour and an excellent work ethic are essential.
Requirements / Application Details –
Essential Requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of the National Curriculum for England Y7-13.
• Ability to motivate and inspire staff and drive school improvement.
• A proven track record of whole-school improvement.
• At least five years experience in a leadership and management role.
• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
• A recognised teaching qualification: BEd.; PGCE; or equivalent.
• Must be a fluent English speaker.
• Previous experience in an International School environment
• Experience of teaching to English as an Additional Language learners

Desirable Requirements:

• A recognised leadership qualification, e.g. NPQH

Remuneration Package:
(Full details of salary package and terms and conditions will be sent to short-listed candidates)

• Private medical insurance
• 4 year renewable contract
• Significant end of contract bonuses
• School places for dependents
• Company car

Application Process:
The closing date for applications is Friday 15th November 2024. Screening interviews with the Headmaster will take place between now and the 22nd of November 2024. Follow-up formal interviews with members of the School Board (including the CEO, School Licensee and Headmaster) will take place in the week commencing Monday 25th November. Prior to appointment, candidates may be flown to Phuket to take part in a final stage of the recruitment process.
PLEASE NOTE: Head Start International School is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post-holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS (in the UK) or Criminal Records (Police Check) disclosure from their most recent country of residence.
Shortlisted candidates will be sent full salary details and be invited for the first stage interview (via Google Meet).
CANDIDATES WITHOUT A DEGREE AND A RECOGNISED TEACHING QUALIFICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
We do not accept applications from candidates with only a TEFL or equivalent qualification.

Headstart International School Phuket is a mixed, mainstream, all-through with sixth-form, international school in Phuket, Thailand. It caters to students aged 2 to 18 and has approximately 1150 pupils enrolled across two campuses on the island.
Headstart International School Phuket was founded in 2005 and, over the years, it has become one of Phuket’s leading international school. It’s the only school in Phuket that offers Cambridge IGCSEs, A levels and BTECs. In 2014, the school passed the Cf BT Educational Trust accreditation process for its International School Quality Mark. In 2021 the latest inspection rated the school as Good and commented on a number of outstanding features.
Director
Sontana Baci
Headmaster
Adam Drew
Visions and value
The school’s main mission is to inspire a love of learning for every student. They work hard to hire a dedicated team of teachers to help them provide a high quality education for its pupils at a school that boasts stellar facilities. They strive to create a safe and caring atmosphere so that everyone feels valued in a multicultural environment.
The curriculum used is a blend of the English National Curriculum and the Cambridge International curriculum for Primary and Secondary, offering IGCSEs, A Levels and BTEC qualifications at KS4 and KS5. It emphasises the importance of maths, English and science but also offers subjects such as Thai, Mandarin, computing, design technology and P.E.
The dedicated and committed teachers working at this school all have British, Australian, US or similar internationally recognised qualifications of Bachelor and Master degrees or doctorates. Head Start International School Phuket only accepts applicants who hold a full teaching qualification such as a PGCE or a BEd. and have previous experience working in the UK or an accredited international school.