Chief Executive and Principal

Transcription

1 Chief Executive and Principal Starting school year Internationally JSD Essentials British 1

2 Chief Executive and Principal Starting school year The British School in The Netherlands (BSN) is seeking an outstanding candidate for the position of Chief Executive and Principal to lead one of the world s most dynamic and successful British international schools. The BSN is in excellent shape and many positive opportunities and challenges lie ahead for the next Chief Executive and Principal. 2,250 students Ages 3 18 The BSN group of schools is based in and around The Hague. With a roll of over 2,250 students, aged 3 18, approximately 30% of our student body is British with 70% coming from over 80 other countries. BSN students achieve outstanding results and success in all fields and at all ages, with our Sixth Formers ultimately gaining entry to top universities around the world. Internationally British 80 nationalities

3 The growth of the school over recent years, despite the economic downturn, is evidence of its flexibility to meet demand and of the esteem in which it is held. Our commitment to educating for international understanding is reflected in our rich diversity and the breadth of our student and parent body: we are truly Internationally British. The post The Board of Governors seeks an exceptional and talented individual to lead the next period of the school s success. The role of Chief Executive and Principal becomes available from September Following seven successful years at the BSN, Dr Martin Coles, the current post-holder will retire in the summer of This vacancy offers the right candidate a unique opportunity the role is not to manage a school, but to lead a group of schools providing vision, challenge, motivation and support for a strong team of school headteachers, central business units and our client community. This position provides an extraordinary opportunity for the right candidate with experience of senior leadership, high level communication skills and a good understanding of, and commitment to, modern education. Mission and governance The BSN was founded in 1931 as a not for profit Association and it s mission is to provide education in the British tradition with an international perspective. This mission makes the BSN somewhat different from many other schools; we are here to serve our clientele the international professional community in The Hague region, so we are not defined by a fixed number. Meeting this mission has required both flexibility and vision, we have successfully adapted to meet both growing students numbers and also the developing aspirations of the international community. A unique opportunity to lead a group of schools The BSN is a not for profit organisation The Association (a Vereniging under Dutch law) consists of up to 35 members, chaired ex officio by H.E. the British Ambassador. The members represent many major international organisations and areas of interest. It is from this group that a Governing Body of eight people is elected every four years and to which the Chief Executive and Principal reports.

4 Accreditation The school is a leading member of COBIS and an international member of HMC. It has IB accreditation for both the IB diploma and the IB Career related Certificate. An excellent inspection report by ISI (2009) attests to its quality. Who we are We currently educate 2,250 full-time students aged 3 18 in our schools and a further part-time students (adults and children) in our Language Centre, all located in the greater The Hague area. There are 3 Junior Schools (3 11yrs) and 1 Senior School (11 18yrs). These schools offer a curriculum based upon the English national curriculum but revised and developed to suit the specific needs of our truly international student body. Our exam results are excellent our student s grades for GCSE, AS/A2 and the IB Diploma are outstanding by any measure. Both our IB Diploma and A2 results are always ahead of the world average by some margin, resulting in students gaining places at top universities around the world including Oxbridge, Ivy League universities in the US and colleges in all continents. Last year, 91% of students obtained either their first or second choice of university. 3 Junior Schools (3 11yrs) and 1 Senior School (11 18yrs) We offer GCSEs, A Levels, IB Diploma and the IBCC The school nevertheless successfully operates a non-selective entry policy and is proud to provide education to students of all abilities. Our Additional Educational Needs department provides excellent support for a range of children s needs and we employ a number of Learning Support Assistants who provide additional tailored support to individual students of all ages. With students from over 80 countries, support for English as an Additional Language is important and well developed. At the Language Centre we provide a range of courses for both adults and children in both the international and local Dutch community. The centre welcomes some 1,600 part-time students through its doors every year and offers everything from intensive Dutch or English courses to CELTA teacher training alongside running after-school language clubs and a very successful Summer Activities School.

5 Our campuses Our facilities are excellent; 3 of our 4 schools were purpose built by us to meet the diverse needs of an international school community. Our award winning buildings all follow the highest school standards and the school buildings reflect the changes in teaching methods with additional flexible working areas and larger social spaces. We are also proud of the large sports fields, excellent outdoor learning areas, stimulating playgrounds and, at the Senior School, the recently opened environmental garden. The quality of equipment and learning materials in all our schools is of a consistently high standard. Learning and administrative technology is centrally supported, and all classrooms have first class technology facilities. Our newest Leidschenveen campus also provides a 0-4 Day Care Centre, Business Unit Offices, and the Language Centre. Our client community Over the years we have developed strong relationships with a wide range of major international corporations, with large international organisations (both UN and EU) and many national embassies. As The Hague continues to attract inward investment and further build on its remarkable success as the International City of Peace and Justice, we anticipate the recent growth of the school is set to continue. Student numbers at The BSN continue to climb as the high reputation of The BSN amongst the international community prevails. Our students are drawn from the families of internationally mobile professionals; and while we cater for all abilities, the overall motivation, aspirations, level of parental support and standards of student behaviour are high. A great deal of effort is put into making arriving families feel welcome and supported and in maintaining close contacts at a high level with representatives of client organisations. Our excellent facilities support the latest teaching methods Families feel welcome and supported

6 Our staff The BSN employs over 600 full and part time staff. They come from all over the world, though the largest numbers are from the UK bringing considerable experience of the British educational tradition. A significant number especially support staff are recruited locally. The recent growth of the school has resulted in a good balance between local experience and new ideas, and the age distribution is a perfect bell curve. Remuneration compares competitively with the UK and other international and local schools. Arrangements for staff training and professional development are very strong with good links to UK and international school networks. Over 600 full and part time staff Staff training and professional development are very strong Each school is led by an experienced Head Teacher Management structure The Chief Executive and Principal leads the management of the BSN. Each school is led by an experienced Head Teacher, and together with the Director of Finance, this Board of Management develops policy and manages operations. A number of specialist business departments provide strong central support for school operations and development. These professionally staffed business units are made up of Human Resources, Marketing & Communications - including Admissions; Information Systems; Finance; and Operations (who oversee our premises, the bus service and the school uniform shop). The Board of Governors has 8 members and meets 8 times a year to discuss strategic issues. The Principal and Financial Director attend exofficio. Each school has a link Governor. The Board of Governors and the Board of Management meet together at least once a year to plan the school s future developments.

7 Finance The BSN is financially strong and well managed by the Director of Finance, who reports to the Principal. Annual accounts, current budget information and long-term financial strategy will be shared with candidates selected for final interview. Annual operating turnover is approximately 33m. We receive no subsidies from any government, so planned development is funded from fee income and, where needed, through structured bank loans. Any successful candidate will need to be adept at working with large budgets in the context of strategic planning. Future opportunities and challenges The outlook for the BSN is both exciting and challenging. Increased competition in the market place and sensitivity over price and added value, is contrasted by an increasing appetite for British International education in both the international and local community. The BSN is an ambitious school we strive to respond to educational change and to adjust and adapt to meet our clients needs. Like all good organisations we plan our developments with care making use, for example, of a rolling 3-year Development Plan. Together, the Board of Management and Board of Governors also engage in longer term strategic planning. Such planning led to the build of a new Junior School campus six years ago and, this year, to the creation of more social spaces for students in an extended Senior School building. Our strategic planning, however, is concerned with more than just the school s estate. All members of the school community want to ensure that the nature of teaching and learning at the school is fit for the future. The new CEO will have ample opportunity to lead futures thinking - such as the way technology will impact on the shape of the school - and to initiate curriculum and other developments to ensure that BSN students are fully prepared for our fast changing world. Annual operating turnover is approximately 33m

8 The person This is a very demanding but immensely interesting job a wonderful opportunity for someone with energy, who enjoys leadership, has a passion and vision for education, can manage a large organisation, and likes working in an international context. The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills a people person able to motivate and inspire. A people person able to motivate and inspire It is a job for someone who likes working in a dynamic, modern and developing organisation, where there is a real opportunity to make a contribution and to positively influence the lives of a wonderful set of students many of whom will take up leadership positions in international organisations and companies in the future. We are looking for a candidate who is: an experienced and inspirational leader with an open and inclusive style a progressive and modernising thinker who can build a vision for the continuing development of the school We are looking for a candidate who has: an overriding commitment to and passion for the education, well-being and development of young people from 3 to 18 years outstanding communication skills and style, demonstrating enthusiasm and energy an appreciation of, and interest in, the role and potential of advancing technology and its impact on developments in learning in education an international outlook and an appreciation of the richness that a diversity of cultures brings to a British school context the ability to deal with all the financial, business and strategic aspects of operating a group of schools Outstanding communication skills, enthusiasm and energy

9 Our offer The Netherlands is one of the most welcoming of all EU member countries to professionals working abroad, and is a very easy and pleasant country in which to live and work. The working language of the BSN is English. The Dutch are excellent linguists and English is widely spoken by around 70% of the population. Transport services and connections are excellent our schools are located in The Hague, just 30 or so minutes from Amsterdam Schiphol airport, or in the other direction, to the Hoek of Holland ferry terminal. Public transport is fast, reliable and generally good value for money, but many choose the truly Dutch option of cycling in a flat country with the most highly developed network of cycle paths in the world it is almost hard not to! There is much more you can find out about the school and living in Holland from our website The videos and photographs there, as well as the text, will help give you a clearer idea of who we are and, we hope, the excitement and potential of this post. A generous relocation package is available to all new staff. We understand that moving can be an important family decision, so partners are therefore welcome to join candidates who are invited to final interview in The Netherlands. The salary will compete with that of leaders of the best educational organisations around the world The salary for this position will compete with that of leaders of the best educational organisations around the world reflecting the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate and the seniority of the post itself. Further details of this, along with pension contributions, housing and other benefits can be provided to, or discussed with, candidates invited for interview. The major reward however comes simply from the satisfaction of leading a great school.

10 Application and interview dates Potential candidates seeking further information are welcome to contact the following, in confidence, prior to application if they feel it would be helpful: Peter Bayliff Chairman of the Board of Governors Martin Coles Chief Executive and Principal of the BSN or The first step is for you to share your experience and enthusiasm in a letter of application (preferably not more than 500 words) and a full curriculum vitae. Please go to our website in the Working for Us section, where you ll find the application form in the current vacancies section. Here you can upload your letter and CV, and details of 3 references. Applications should reach us by Monday 3 October 2014 Initial interviews Dates: Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 November Location: London, England Final interviews Dates: Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 November Location: The Hague, The Netherlands For those invited for initial interview, there will be ample opportunity to see if this is a good fit. For those who reach the final round of selection, there will be a full programme across the three days to ensure a thorough introduction to both Holland and the BSN.