Key Relationships (Internal and External): Principal, Senior Leadership Team, ADvTECH Central Academics Team, IBAEM Regional Office, Grade Heads, Subject Head, Heads, Primary Teachers and Learning Assistants
Qualifications:
Degree in Education BEd (Foundation Phase/ Intersern Phase/ Senior Phase)
Have held a school /-wide curriculum-based position
Experience:
More the 5 years’ experience within teaching and learning
Previous leadership experience being part of the school’s Senior Leadership Team
Previous IB and / or PYP experience
Curriculum development and implementation
- Communication
- Ensure 100% alignment of the school’s curriculum with the IEB PYP standards
- Conduct regular curriculum reviews and updates, document alignment status in collaboration within the Crawford community.
- ensure all IB communication is shared continuously with all staff and leadership.
- enable collaboration among all staff involved in implementing the programme.
- conduct ongoing parent information sessions around the PYP programme.
- publish regular articles pertaining to the programme in the school’s newsletter / online platforms
- prepare and submit any documentation required for evaluation
- successfully maintain IB authorisation status with no major recommendations during evaluation visits
- track IB evaluation reports and document compliance with IB standards
- conduct two formal programme evaluations each year and implement action plans for identified areas of improvement within three moths
- document evaluation findings and track progress on action plan implementation.
- ensure all requirements and procedures set by the IB concerning the programme are adhered to.
- provide continual liaison / updates for Brand Academics, ADvTECH CAT, the school leadership team and the IB.
- Ensure the seamless integration of CAT/ Brand Academic initiatives and assist staff with effective time management strategies to ensure the academic rigour of PYP is maintained.
- continually communicate PYP information to the wider community through a variety of media,
- inform Brand Academics/ ADvTECH CAT about progress being made in terms of implementation and development.
- continually promote and create opportunities for International Mindedness to be addressed and celebrated throughout the school.
Professional Development and teacher support
- ensure all staff members are made aware of professional development opportunities available (within and beyond the school) and encourage participation.
- keep an updated record of staff development and staff attendance
- organise induction of new staff to the PYP and provide ongoing support for them.
- make recommendations regarding training specifically relevant to the implementation of the PYP teaching methods and inquiry-based learning.
- keep a record of workshops conducted and school visits to achieve equality of opportunity and identify ongoing needs by means of gathering feedback on workshop effectiveness
- assist teams or individuals in developing units of inquiry (Transdisciplinary and Stand Alone)
- arrange for own professional development needs, in negotiation with the Principal.
- in negotiation with the Principal, arrange to attend PYP workshops and keep up to date with new developments within the PYP.
Resource Management
- manage the schools resource budget for the PYP programme communicating with the Principal, Brand Academic Manager and ADvTECH Central Academics Team as required
- facilitate the purchase of suitable resources to support the implementation of the programme in consultation with the Resource Centre Manager
- have an oversight of the continual integration of digital technologies into the learning and teaching programme and in line with the prescribed EdTech framework
- encourage staff, parents and students to identify people in the community and resources that can be used to support the programme.
- 4.Documentation
- publish / update/ communicate the School’s Programme of Inquiry on Toddle and other required platforms.
- coordinate year level outcomes to ensure both vertical and horizontal articulation in all subject areas.
- maintain a record of completed planners, electronically on Toddle, so all staff can access this at all times.
- lead the process of developing or reviewing the school’s scope and sequence documents in collaboration within the Crawford community.
- ensure that reporting formats reflect the PYP and DBE CAPS requirements
- continually manage and update the PYP Action Plan.
- participate in the formation of the school’s strategic development plan to meet the standards and practices of the IB programmes.
- Implementation
- organise teacher support with planning, modelling and strategies in learning environments.
- work with teachers to ensure that the inquiry approach is being used in all learning environments.
- facilitate and coordinate all weekly teacher planning meetings and staff meetings.
- establish and coordinate appropriate curriculum teams that meet the needs of the school.
- facilitate monthly collaborative planning meetings with grade-level teams to enhance interdisciplinary teaching and learning
- maintain records of meetings agendas, attendance and outcomes
- monitor and document the horizontal and vertical coverage of all curriculum areas.
- have oversight of the integration of EdTech into the teaching and learning programme.
- host at least three PYP informational sessions for parents and community members.
- record the attendance and feedback from the sessions; evaluate the impact on community and their understanding of the PYP
Review and Accountability
The Principal:
- ensure regular communication with the PYP Coordinator on a formal and informal basis.
- is encouraged to attend the PYPC meetings.
- through an appraisal process reflect and review the work of the PYP Coordinator according to the KPI.
- receive formal and informal feedback from staff and relay that to the PYP Coordinator.
- provide regular informed feedback about any ongoing issues.
The PYP coordinator is supported in terms of fulfilling the responsibilities in the following ways:
- developmental opportunities both on and off site with the view to having a fully informed Coordinator.
- a minimum of 25% teaching load, as negotiated, to pursue the requirements of the IB.
- regular communication with the Principal/Deputy Principal, particularly in matters relating to resourcing of the PYP.
- regular time for reflection and review.
- the establishment of appropriate curriculum teams to assist with the implementation and continuing development of the programme.
- access to some administrative support
Skill Requirements
- Strong communication skills (both written and verbal)
- Excellent networking skills.
- Advanced Planning, strong organising and time management skills are critical – must adhere to deadlines, multi-task and be able to prioritise.
- Ability to work both independently, with minimal supervision, and in a team environment.
- Ability to learn quickly and manage workload in a cooperative and demanding environment.
- Good Microsoft Office skills, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Excellent Interpersonal and Relationship Management
- Analytical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Customer service
- Project Management
- Research skills
- Negotiation skill
Behavioral Attribute
- Exceptional work ethic, with strong values and principles – takes all opportunities to go above and beyond the basic expectations.
- Detail-oriented: and attention to detail for tasks with zero tolerance for errors.
- A self-motivated individual who can work under stress and meet deadlines.
- A positive attitude and open mind that approaches problems from all angles to find the optimal solution