Deputy Headteacher Early Years and Primary
About the School - The British School of Barcelona (Sitges)
The British School of Barcelona (BSB) is a great school in a wonderful location. We are an HMC school and were judged by a recent BSO (British Schools Overseas) Inspection to be outstanding in every area, including quality of education, safeguarding, pupil welfare and academic outcomes.
Over 2000 pupils from more than 74 nationalities attend the school and over 315 staff work at BSB. We are based in three locations, one in the heart of central Barcelona and two just outside the city – in Castelldefels, where we have a Primary, Secondary and Pre-University campus, and in the cosmopolitan town of Sitges, where we have a Primary campus. BSB City is in the heart of the city of Barcelona itself with a Foundation campus (built September 2021), and a brand-new main campus which opened in September 2023.
The school delivers the UK National Curriculum, beginning with the Early Years Foundation Stage and moving through to iGCSEs. Post 16, the school offers both the A-Level and International Baccalaureate programmes of study.
Barcelona is a wonderful place to live, combining an amazing city with beach and mountains nearby. The quality of life is excellent with a mild climate and year-round sunshine.
The school now has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Deputy Headteacher Early Years and Primary to join our fantastic team.
About Cognita
Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.
At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. And each and every one of our schools is unique too.
We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger. We open their classrooms to the collective wisdom of over 100 schools in 16 countries, ensuring every child gets an education that’s, quite literally, world class.
It’s an individual approach that empowers every school, teacher and student to focus on what they do best and thrive.
About the role
We are looking for a full-time, permanent Deputy Headteacher for our BSB Sitges campus, to start in September 2025.
Sitges is a vibrant and diverse town, where we have a beautiful campus with superb views of the coastline. The school offers an education to children from 2 to 11 years old, with the majority of pupils moving on to BSB Castelldefels Secondary. The school has a happy, stable and experienced team of staff who are eager and keen to continue strengthening outcomes and opportunities for children at the school. The school is truly international and serves a diverse community of engaged and enthusiastic pupils. The campus is a very happy and positive place to be.
This position follows the internal movement of the current Deputy Headteacher and the successful candidate will have an exciting opportunity to build on the strong foundations created, whilst innovating and bringing fresh ideas to support a passionate and committed team of staff looking to further the school.
All positions are offered with attractive packages including competitive salaries, places for children in BSB, and other local benefits.
Responsibilities
Shaping the Future
• Support the headteacher and Principal in establishing a vision for the future of the school, demonstrating inspirational leadership and creativity.
• Lead the development and implementation of identified strands within the School Improvement Plan (SIP), taking account of the agreed priorities of the school.
• Contribute to the wider leadership of BSB and collaborate closely with Primary Deputy Headteachers across the campuses to support alignment.
• Work to a high standard in implementing agreed policies, priorities and expectations, so as to set a good example to other colleagues.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, in which views of all members of the school community are valued and taken into account.
• Contribute to the self-evaluation of the school.
Leading Learning and Teaching
• Share responsibility for the analysis of key school performance data, to ensure priorities are appropriate and improvement in standards is promoted.
• Lead on the development of Teaching and Learning.
• Model excellence as a leading professional, actively promoting effective teaching and learning practices across the school.
• Oversee and develop the pedagogy underpinning our Inquiry Based Curriculum, ensuring it meets the needs of the range of pupils in the school.
• Provide training for staff on effective teaching and learning.
• Promote the active involvement of pupils in their own learning.
• Contribute to target setting for individuals and groups throughout the school.
• Support strategies to promote high standards of behaviour.
• Contribute to the development of a broad and rich curriculum which meets the needs of the range of pupils in the school.
• Promote the use of technology to enhance and extend pupils’ learning, where it adds value and has real impact.
• Monitor and evaluate classroom practice.
• Provide support for colleagues in improving their classroom practice.
Developing self and managing others
• Promote and safeguard the safety and welfare of children and young people, assuming the role of Child Protection Coordinator for the campus.
• Contribute to the creation of a positive school ethos, in which every individual is treated with dignity and respect and the safety and welfare of children and young people is paramount.
• Engage in relevant professional development activity as necessary.
• Set high expectations for your own performance and that of others.
Managing the organisation
• Contribute proactively to the smooth operational running of the school on a daily basis.
• Undertake any reasonable responsibilities required by the Headteacher and Principal.
• Deputise in the absence of the headteacher.
• Work effectively with all stakeholders, including outside agencies, parents and staff.
• Provide support during key student transitions, ensuring both emotional and academic needs are met.
• Use data (behaviour, attendance, well-being surveys) to evaluate and improve action planning, alongside middle leaders.
• Lead on the induction of new staff.
Securing Accountability
• Work alongside the Headteacher to secure improvement through performance management; take responsibility for the performance management of identified staff.
• Support staff in understanding their own accountability; and develop approaches to its review and evaluation.
• Use a range of data sources to set realistic yet challenging targets for pupils, analysing outcomes for individuals and groups; use this information to implement appropriate curriculum pathways and intervention programmes.
• Contribute to the reporting of the performance of the school to parents, governance and other key partners as necessary.
• Line Manage a team of primary staff.
• Support Quality Assurance and Monitoring practices across the school.
Minimum Requirements
A university degree with QTS or international equivalent is essential, as is relevant experience in primary school across all three key stages. Leadership experience is desirable. This position is not suitable for newly qualified teachers.
Benefits at Cognita
• A fantastic team of staff who are committed, supportive and collaborative.
• The wider support of BSB, including access to high level CPD and future career opportunities.
• The support of the Cognita network, including cross-school learning partnerships.
How to Apply
Complete this application before the closing date. Deadline for applications: 9am Monday 24th March (Spanish time). Initial interviews will be held online starting from Thursday 27th March. Final stage interviews, in person, during the week beginning 7th April.
Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.
Cognita is committed to preserving and promoting equality of opportunity in all aspects of the conduct of its business.
No member of staff or any applicant for employment with Cognita will be discriminated against, harassed or victimised because of their personal characteristics. Cognita expects all staff to comply with the letter and the spirit of its policy.
EARLY APPLICATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO INTERVIEW AND APPOINT PRIOR TO CLOSING DATE FOR THE RIGHT APPLICANT.
#J-18808-Ljbffr