Head of Academic Services
Status
Actively Hiring
Date Listed2 March 2026
ContractPermanent
PlatformW5_SYNC
About This Role
Summary
The Head of Academic Services is tasked with providing strategic leadership and oversight for the academic support offerings at the school, which encompass Guidance, University & Career Guidance, Special Education Needs (SEN), and the English as a Second Language / English Immersion Programme (ESL/EIP). This position holds the responsibility for ensuring adherence to local regulatory standards and requirements.
This role guarantees that all academic support initiatives are in line with the school’s educational philosophy, compliance mandates, and objectives for student achievement. Collaboration with academic leaders, educators, parents, and external partners is essential to effectively address the academic, social-emotional, and language development needs of students.
1. Strategic Leadership & Programme Oversight
•
Provide comprehensive leadership and guidance for the services related to Guidance, Special Education Needs (SEN), and the English as a Second Language / English Immersion Programme (ESL/EIP).
•
Create and execute policies, procedures, and frameworks that facilitate effective academic support.
•
Ensure the alignment of academic services with school improvement strategies and accreditation requirements.
•
Evaluate programme effectiveness through data analysis, reporting, and ongoing improvement efforts.
2. Guidance & Counselling
•
Direct the school’s Guidance and Counselling programme, ensuring it aligns with the school’s vision, safeguarding policies, and compliance mandates.
•
Oversee the creation and execution of counselling frameworks that promote students’ academic, social-emotional, and behavioral growth.
•
Supervise and mentor Guidance Counsellors to uphold professional standards, ethical practices, and high-quality service delivery.
•
Establish systems for the early identification and intervention of students needing academic or emotional support.
•
Ensure precise documentation, confidential record-keeping, and adherence to data protection and safeguarding protocols.
•
Assess counselling caseloads, programme effectiveness, and student outcomes through data-informed evaluations.
3. Special Education (SEN)
•
Manage the processes for identifying, assessing, and supporting students with learning needs.
•
Ensure the effective development, implementation, and review of Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
•
Work collaboratively with teachers to promote inclusive classroom environments.
•
Coordinate with external specialists and relevant authorities as necessary.
•
Guarantee compliance with educational regulations and safeguarding standards.
4. ESL / EIP (English as a Second Language / English Immersion Programme)
•
Supervise the placement, assessment, and advancement of students within the ESL/EIP framework.
•
Evaluate curriculum alignment and the effectiveness of language acquisition strategies.
•
Ensure seamless transition pathways for students moving from ESL/EIP to mainstream programmes.
•
Assist teachers with differentiation strategies tailored for multilingual learners.
5. Team Leadership & Management
•
Lead, supervise, and mentor the staff within Academic Services.
•
Conduct performance evaluations and provide professional development opportunities.
•
Cultivate a collaborative, student-centered team environment.
•
Oversee budgeting and resource distribution for academic support services.
6. Compliance & Quality Assurance
•
Ensure adherence to Cambridge/Canadian/IBDP, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Ontario inspection and accreditation standards.
•
Maintain accurate records and documentation for audits and inspections.
•
Draft and review policies to align with regulatory expectations.
•
Lead preparations for external inspections concerning academic services.
7. Stakeholder Engagement
•
Act as the primary liaison between Academic Services and the school’s leadership.
•
Engage in effective communication with parents about student support plans.
•
Collaborate with educators and Heads of Department to ensure cohesive support delivery.
•
Represent the school in discussions with external agencies when necessary.
•
Bachelor's Degree in Education or a Master’s degree in Education, Counselling, Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a related discipline.
•
A minimum of 5–8 years of relevant educational experience, with a preference for leadership exposure.
•
Experience in Guidance, Special Education Needs (SEN), and/or the English as a Second Language / English Immersion Programme (ESL/EIP).
•
Thorough understanding of international school curriculum frameworks (e.g., Cambridge, Canadian, and IBDP).
•
Experience in preparing for Ministry of Education and Ministry of Ontario inspections or accreditation processes is advantageous.
•
Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin is preferred.
The Head of Academic Services is tasked with providing strategic leadership and oversight for the academic support offerings at the school, which encompass Guidance, University & Career Guidance, Special Education Needs (SEN), and the English as a Second Language / English Immersion Programme (ESL/EIP). This position holds the responsibility for ensuring adherence to local regulatory standards and requirements.
This role guarantees that all academic support initiatives are in line with the school’s educational philosophy, compliance mandates, and objectives for student achievement. Collaboration with academic leaders, educators, parents, and external partners is essential to effectively address the academic, social-emotional, and language development needs of students.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Programme Oversight
•
Provide comprehensive leadership and guidance for the services related to Guidance, Special Education Needs (SEN), and the English as a Second Language / English Immersion Programme (ESL/EIP).
•
Create and execute policies, procedures, and frameworks that facilitate effective academic support.
•
Ensure the alignment of academic services with school improvement strategies and accreditation requirements.
•
Evaluate programme effectiveness through data analysis, reporting, and ongoing improvement efforts.
2. Guidance & Counselling
•
Direct the school’s Guidance and Counselling programme, ensuring it aligns with the school’s vision, safeguarding policies, and compliance mandates.
•
Oversee the creation and execution of counselling frameworks that promote students’ academic, social-emotional, and behavioral growth.
•
Supervise and mentor Guidance Counsellors to uphold professional standards, ethical practices, and high-quality service delivery.
•
Establish systems for the early identification and intervention of students needing academic or emotional support.
•
Ensure precise documentation, confidential record-keeping, and adherence to data protection and safeguarding protocols.
•
Assess counselling caseloads, programme effectiveness, and student outcomes through data-informed evaluations.
3. Special Education (SEN)
•
Manage the processes for identifying, assessing, and supporting students with learning needs.
•
Ensure the effective development, implementation, and review of Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
•
Work collaboratively with teachers to promote inclusive classroom environments.
•
Coordinate with external specialists and relevant authorities as necessary.
•
Guarantee compliance with educational regulations and safeguarding standards.
4. ESL / EIP (English as a Second Language / English Immersion Programme)
•
Supervise the placement, assessment, and advancement of students within the ESL/EIP framework.
•
Evaluate curriculum alignment and the effectiveness of language acquisition strategies.
•
Ensure seamless transition pathways for students moving from ESL/EIP to mainstream programmes.
•
Assist teachers with differentiation strategies tailored for multilingual learners.
5. Team Leadership & Management
•
Lead, supervise, and mentor the staff within Academic Services.
•
Conduct performance evaluations and provide professional development opportunities.
•
Cultivate a collaborative, student-centered team environment.
•
Oversee budgeting and resource distribution for academic support services.
6. Compliance & Quality Assurance
•
Ensure adherence to Cambridge/Canadian/IBDP, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Ontario inspection and accreditation standards.
•
Maintain accurate records and documentation for audits and inspections.
•
Draft and review policies to align with regulatory expectations.
•
Lead preparations for external inspections concerning academic services.
7. Stakeholder Engagement
•
Act as the primary liaison between Academic Services and the school’s leadership.
•
Engage in effective communication with parents about student support plans.
•
Collaborate with educators and Heads of Department to ensure cohesive support delivery.
•
Represent the school in discussions with external agencies when necessary.
Qualifications
•
Bachelor's Degree in Education or a Master’s degree in Education, Counselling, Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a related discipline.
•
A minimum of 5–8 years of relevant educational experience, with a preference for leadership exposure.
•
Experience in Guidance, Special Education Needs (SEN), and/or the English as a Second Language / English Immersion Programme (ESL/EIP).
•
Thorough understanding of international school curriculum frameworks (e.g., Cambridge, Canadian, and IBDP).
•
Experience in preparing for Ministry of Education and Ministry of Ontario inspections or accreditation processes is advantageous.
•
Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin is preferred.