Deputy Head Academic

Deputy Head Academic (Senior School)
Start Date: August 2026

Role Overview

The Deputy Head Academic (DHA) is a key leadership position responsible for upholding academic excellence, ensuring a cohesive curriculum, maintaining the integrity of assessments, and achieving commendable examination results for students in Years 7–13.

The DHA is strategically tasked with overseeing academic quality, while operational responsibilities are delegated to Heads of Department and relevant Assistant Headteachers, including the Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning, who will manage essential operational aspects within this structure.

In an environment where approximately 80% of students are non-native English speakers, the DHA is dedicated to enhancing academic progress and examination performance through high-quality, strategically aligned English as an Additional Language (EAL) provisions.

The DHA also oversees the admissions testing process for the Senior School and manages examination administration, ensuring compliance, integrity, and operational efficiency.

This role is strategic and systemic, with a focus on maintaining high standards. The DHA holds ultimate accountability for academic outcomes, with operational execution facilitated by senior and middle leaders.

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Principal

Direct Reports:
• Heads of Department (Senior School subjects)
• Head of EAL
• Academic Data/Assessment Lead (if applicable)
• Timetabling Manager
• Examinations Officer (internal and external examinations)

Works closely with:
• Vice Principal (Operations)
• Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning
• Director of Upper Senior and Sixth Form
• Director of Pastoral Care and Parental Communication
• DSL/SEND

Key Responsibilities

1. Academic Standards & Outcomes (Years 7–13)

The DHA is ultimately responsible for academic results at IGCSE and A Level.

The DHA will:
• Lead analysis of results and develop strategic improvement plans.
• Ensure that predicted grades are both accurate and credible.
• Oversee departmental review processes for performance.
• Monitor value-added performance across various ability levels and departments.
• Identify areas of underperformance among staff or departments and ensure structured improvement plans are implemented.
• Uphold ambitious yet realistic standards in a mixed-ability, EAL-focused environment.

While the Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning may handle operational monitoring, the DHA remains accountable for examination standards.

2. Curriculum Strategy & Coherence (Years 7–13)

The DHA is responsible for designing and safeguarding the academic framework, with operational implementation led by Heads of Department and the Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning.

The DHA will:
• Ensure continuity and alignment across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5.
• Safeguard the integrity of the three-stream IGCSE pathway model.
• Integrate EAL considerations into pathway decisions.
• Approve curriculum modifications and subject pathway choices.
• Advise on subject viability in collaboration with the Principal.
• Align curriculum offerings with university aspirations and financial viability.
• Ensure a robust super-curricular program that supports high-achieving pathways.

3. Strategic Oversight of EAL Provision (Years 7–13)

The DHA is strategically responsible for ensuring that language development directly contributes to academic standards.

The DHA will:
• Ensure that EAL provision is strategically aligned with curriculum and examination requirements.
• Line manage the Head of EAL.
• Ensure adequate EAL staffing levels to support academic pathways.
• Align EAL curriculum planning with subject-specific vocabulary and examination language needs.
• Ensure EAL intervention models are effective for IGCSE and A Level success.
• Monitor the impact of EAL provisions on examination results.
• Ensure departments incorporate academic literacy into their teaching practices.
• Prepare students linguistically for progression into KS4 and KS5.

While operational coordination may be supported by the Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning, strategic accountability lies with the DHA.

4. Assessment & Data Systems (Years 7–13)

The DHA oversees the strategic design and integrity of academic tracking and monitoring systems.

The DHA will:
• Develop, enhance, and implement systems for academic tracking and reporting cycles.
• Ensure consistency in departmental assessment practices, including homework schedules.
• Chair meetings focused on academic standards across the school.
• Lead moderation and sign-off procedures for predicted grades.
• Oversee the quality and accuracy of academic reporting.
• Ensure appropriate use of tracking data by staff and mentors.
• Ensure data systems include indicators for EAL progress.

Operational data routines and monitoring may be managed by the Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning under the DHA's guidance.

No parallel academic systems should operate outside the oversight of the DHA.

5. Quality Assurance of Teaching & Learning (Years 7–13)

The DHA is responsible for strategic oversight of academic quality assurance, while the Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning manages day-to-day teaching and learning operations.

The DHA will:
• Establish academic expectations for review cycles.
• Oversee departmental review frameworks.
• Ensure that subject-specific teaching promotes the development of academic language.
• Hold Heads of Department accountable for curriculum delivery and academic outcomes.
• Contribute to the academic components of performance management and appraisal processes.
• Align professional development priorities with academic standards.

The Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning will manage the operational aspects of review cycles, lesson observations, and the enhancement of classroom practices within this strategic framework.

6. Senior School Admissions Testing Programme

The DHA has strategic oversight of admissions testing integrity and alignment, which includes:
• Designing or approving academic components of entrance assessments.
• Ensuring assessments effectively measure subject readiness and English proficiency.
• Aligning admissions criteria with curriculum pathways and EAL requirements.
• Ensuring fairness, consistency, and integrity in procedures.
• Overseeing moderation and standardization processes.
• Reviewing admissions data in relation to academic strategy and staffing capacity.
• Collaborating with Admissions and the Principal to establish defensible thresholds.

Operational management of admissions testing may be delegated, but the DHA retains responsibility for standards and integrity.

7. Examinations Oversight (External and Internal)

The DHA is responsible for line managing the Examinations Officer and ensuring compliance and integrity in examinations.

A. External Examinations (IGCSE and A Level)
• Ensure compliance with examination board regulations.
• Oversee entries, access arrangements, and security measures.
• Monitor deadlines and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Lead post-series evaluations.

B. Internal Examinations
• Ensure internal processes align with whole-school assessment policies.
• Oversee mock examinations.
• Ensure consistency in examination standards across departments.
• Monitor the integrity of internal examination data.

Operational logistics are managed by the Examinations Officer, while accountability remains with the DHA.

8. Parent and External Academic Communication
• Present examination results and academic strategies.
• Clearly communicate how EAL provisions contribute to academic success.
• Lead academic discussions during IGCSE and Sixth Form information sessions.
• Contribute to the school’s academic marketing strategies.

9. Leadership Contribution
• Support the overall strategic vision of the school.
• Manage the academic budget.
• Participate in senior leadership structures.
• Ensure the financial sustainability of EAL provisions.
• Provide insights on the academic implications of recruitment profiles.
• Review and update academic policies as required.
• Model high expectations and intellectual integrity.
• Contribute to the induction of new staff.
• Prepare reports for the Board and attend meetings as necessary.
• Represent the academic vision of the school publicly.

Success Indicators (Indicative – within 2–3 years)
• Improved IGCSE and A Level results.
• Increased accuracy in predicted grades.
• Enhanced academic progress supported by EAL.
• Consistent assessment practices.
• Clear accountability frameworks.
• Improved university placements.
• Greater parental confidence in academic integrity.

Professional Profile

The DHA will be:
• A credible academic leader with experience at A Level.
• Experienced in diverse environments with mixed abilities and EAL learners.
• A disciplined implementer of systems.
• Knowledgeable in examination systems and regulatory compliance.
• Composed, politically astute, and collaborative.
• Committed to progressively and sustainably elevating academic standards.

SPGS International School Chengdu prioritizes the well-being and safety of its students. Successful applicants will:

1. Participate in regular child protection training and sign the code of conduct.
2. Report any potential child safeguarding concerns to the designated or acting safeguarding lead.
3. Rigorously adhere to the school's policies on information confidentiality and protection.
4. Actively promote and ensure the health and safety of all students within the school environment.
5. Report any student-related concerns to the designated or acting safeguarding lead.
6. Notify the designated or acting safety lead of any unsafe behaviors on campus, following the school's "whistleblowing" policy.
7. Maintain a professional relationship with students, respecting personal boundaries.

SPGS International School Chengdu is committed to safe recruitment and child protection; relevant qualifications and police clearances of applicants will be verified.

While this job description outlines the primary duties and responsibilities for the role, not every individual task may be explicitly detailed, particularly in a school environment that requires flexibility from its employees.

This job description is current as of the indicated date but may be adjusted by the Principal in consultation with the post holder to reflect or anticipate changes in responsibilities consistent with the grade and job title.