Deputy Head of School (With Primary School Focus)

PBISS International School – Thailand (Koh Samui)
Permanent | Immediate Start

We are seeking an experienced, reflective, and highly effective Deputy Head of School to support the Head of School in the strategic leadership and day-to-day management of a growing international school of around 650 students. This role carries whole-school leadership responsibility, with an initial clear operational and pedagogical focus on the Primary School.

The successful candidate will play a central role in school improvement, staff development, and operational effectiveness, while ensuring excellent teaching, learning, and wellbeing outcomes for Primary students.

The Role

The Deputy Head of School will work closely with the Head of School and Senior Leadership Team to provide strong professional leadership across the school, while holding direct responsibility for Primary School standards, systems, and staff.

A key focus of the role is to ensure high-quality teaching and learning in the Primary phase, including curriculum development, assessment, inclusion, and the continued embedding of STEM and innovative learning approaches. The role also involves contributing to whole-school strategy, policy development, and operational leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Primary School Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight of the day-to-day operation of the Primary School, ensuring high standards of teaching, learning, assessment, behaviour, and pupil wellbeing.
  

• Lead the ongoing development, review, and evaluation of the Primary curriculum, with a strong emphasis on coherence, progression, and inclusion.
  

• Champion high-quality STEM integration within the Primary curriculum, supporting inquiry-based, cross-curricular, and technology-enhanced learning.
  

• Promote innovative, student-centred teaching approaches aligned with best practice in international Primary education.
  

• Oversee assessment practices, tracking, and reporting systems to ensure student progress is effectively monitored and supported.
  
  

Staff Leadership and Development

• Line-manage Primary teachers and support staff, providing mentoring, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
  

• Support recruitment, induction, performance management, and retention of Primary staff.
  

• Foster a collaborative, reflective, and high-expectations professional culture within the Primary School.
  
  

Whole-School Leadership (Deputy Head Role)

• Serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to whole-school strategic planning, development priorities, and policy implementation.
  

• Support the Head of School in operational leadership, including timetabling, staffing structures, systems development, and daily school management.
  

• Contribute to budget planning, resource allocation, and the effective use of learning technologies and digital systems across the school.
  

• Support safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, and regulatory compliance across all phases of the school.
  

• Act on behalf of the Head of School when required, including leadership of meetings and representation of the school.
  
  

Community and Inclusion

• Build strong, positive relationships with parents, ensuring effective communication and engagement.
  

• Contribute to a positive whole-school culture that reflects the school’s values and international ethos.

• Promote inclusive practice and oversee provision for students with additional learning needs and/or English as an Additional Language within the Primary phase.
  
  

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven leadership experience within an international school.
  

• Experience in senior or middle leadership with responsibility beyond the classroom.
  

• Strong understanding of Primary curriculum design, assessment, and inclusion.
  

• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop staff effectively.
  

• Excellent organisational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
  

• Ability to contribute confidently to whole-school leadership and decision-making.
  
  

Desirable

• Experience or strong professional interest in STEM education.
  

• Experience embedding cross-curricular or inquiry-based learning approaches.
  

• Previous international school experience, ideally in Southeast Asia or a comparable context.
  

• Experience supporting school improvement initiatives, digital systems, or strategic development projects.
  
  

We Offer

• A senior leadership role with significant influence on Primary and whole-school development with opportunities for professional growth.
  

• A supportive and collaborative leadership team.
  

• Medical insurance.
  

• Performance-related bonus.
  

• The opportunity to live and work in Thailand, enjoying tropical island life within an international school community.