Director of Teaching and Learning

Are you a fully qualified, highly motivated and dynamic school leader, with prior experience leading teaching and learning across a whole school setting? Are you seeking a new opportunity at a successful international school? If so, you will be interested in this exciting opportunity to support our established and growing school in Slovenia through the next stage of development.

About the School

The British International School of Ljubljana (BISL) (http://www.britishschool.si/) is a growing school serving students aged from 2 to 18 from over 50 nationalities in the capital of beautiful Slovenia, Europe’s “hidden jewel”; it is compact and easy to get around, with a dreamy central European character in winter, yet relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere in summer.

Classes are small and the students are eager to learn. BISL is an accredited member of COBIS and was most recently inspected by BSO in 2021 where it was graded as OUTSTANDING in ALL categories. We are accredited by the Cambridge, Edexcel and AQA Examination Boards for iGCSE and A-Levels, and many of our students achieve outstanding results to go on to study in the world’s top universities.

The school forms part of the Orbital Education group (Orbital Education), an expanding group of International schools, providing high-quality education to a diverse student population in a number of culturally attractive and historically important locations across the world.

About the Opportunity

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated and dynamic school leader as Director of Teaching & Learning, with effect from August 2023.

The Director of Teaching and Learning will be responsible for teaching and learning across the whole school, and wider management of the secondary setting. They will support the Principal in a deputy capacity, with additional responsibilities for Secondary supported by wider members of SLT. As such, the successful candidate should be an exemplary and visible role model for staff, students and parents.

The role will report directly to the Principal, and will play a key role in the development and implementation of the school’s strategic plan and leading teaching and learning across the whole school in line with the Vision, Mission and Values of the School.

Applicants should be committed and outstanding teaching practitioners, able to lead by example, possessing excellent teaching, organisational and communication skills. We are seeking individuals who can monitor, evaluate and develop the curriculum and teaching and learning across the school, to achieve outstanding results and happy children.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an intelligent, ambitious, and energetic leader, to impact and shape the delivery of international education at a high-quality education establishment.

The Person

Applicants must have a relevant Batchelor’s degree from a reputable UK University (or equivalent), Qualified Teacher Status, with either a PGCE or BEd from the UK, and a minimum of three years previous leadership experience in a maintained, independent or international British-style school. You should have iGCSE and A-Level experience. Experience of successfully working with EAL learners from a variety of cultures will be an advantage.

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with drive and passion, who believes in creating a unique, inspiring and outstanding place for learning, and is able to excite and challenge students to make great progress. Applicants should also be prepared to contribute to the wider community aspect of school life, which is expected of every member of the teaching staff.

As a British school specialising in delivering the National Curriculum of England to a diverse international student population, strong English language is an essential requirement and applications from native-level speakers of English will be preferred.

Because of difficulties in obtaining a visa and residency, it may not be possible to consider applicants from nationalities outside of the UK and Europe.

For more information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification attached.  

Benefits of working at an Orbital Education School

The school also forms part of the Orbital Education group, an expanding group of acclaimed international schools, which currently educates almost 5,000 students from 114 nationalities providing them with skills and qualifications to access high quality universities. We are a group of Internationally acclaimed schools, focused upon delivering outstanding education to a large and diverse student population. Our schools are spread globally from Latin America, through Europe and the Middle East to Asia, with exciting plans to develop new schools across the world.

Key reasons to work at an Orbital Education School include:

1. Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and students on an international scale.

2. Enhanced professional development opportunities, through partnerships with specialist learning providers to offer recognised and accredited professional development programmes.

3. Enhanced opportunities for future career development and movement within the group, providing opportunity to see the world whilst progressing an attractive and rewarding career.

Living and working in Slovenia

Slovenia is a beautiful, diverse and culturally rich environment with opportunities to get involved in a wide range of outdoor adventures, all close within the proximity of Ljubljana. The historic city centre is located just 8 kilometres away from the school. Slovenia is seen by many as an incredibly safe, peaceful and environmentally friendly place. Performing and the Creative Arts are showcased widely through the city including a range of stunning galleries, museums and exhibitions.

It is undoubtedly one of the prettiest locations to live and work in Central Europe, with easy connections to places such as Venice, Vienna and Salzburg. Nearby airports of Ljubljana, Trieste, Venice and Zagreb offer excellent connections with the rest of Europe and further afield.

Applications

If this opportunity excites you, and you would be enthused by the opportunity to join our leadership team at an exciting stage of development, we would welcome an application from you.

Applications should be submitted by e-mail and include your CV along with a covering letter detailing how you feel your skills and experience meet those contained within the role profile. Your application should also include an up-to-date photograph and details of three referees, one of whom should be the current or most recent employer.

Applications should be addressed to the Principal Designate, Mel Hitchcocks, by e-mail with ‘BISL T&L 2023’ in the subject field to mel.hitchcocks@britishschool.si

Closing date for applications is 31 March 2023

Early applications are encouraged to avoid disappointment, as interviews will take place on a rolling basis from the date of advertising, and the vacancy may close before this deadline when the right candidate is found.

Due to anticipated levels of interest, we regret that we will not be able to feedback to all candidates. Therefore, if you have not heard from us prior to 28 April 2023, please assume that on this occasion your application has not been successful.

British International School of Ljubljana is committed to safeguarding children and young people. As part of the school’s commitment to safeguarding, all post-holders are subject to background checks and an International Child Protection Certificate administered by ACRO (if ever worked or lived in the UK), Prohibition Checks where appropriate and/or Criminal Records (Police Check) disclosure from their most recent country of residence.