Assistant Director of School (Boarding) – Dulwich International High School Suzhou

About Role

Our popular boarding programme is already well-established and highly successful – we are looking to further elevate all aspects of the provision to make it truly ‘best in class’.

We are looking for an experienced, caring senior leader to actively guide all elements of residential life for our 400 boarders across three boarding houses so that we provide a safe, caring, compassionate, happy, homely, and organised environment for these young people, aged 14-19, while living on campus.  In addition to providing a comfortable and safe living environment, the postholder will ensure that the boarding programme supports the social and emotional development of students, equipping them with essential skills so that they ‘Grow in Dulwich, Thrive in Life’.

Leading and developing a team of full-time and part time houseparents, assistant houseparents, and boarding tutors, and supported by facilities and operations staff, a nurse and a social emotional counsellor, the postholder will be culturally responsive, dynamic, and forward-thinking.  Naturally, this position involves weekend and evening work, and the postholder will arrange their own working schedule, and that of their team, to ensure appropriate balance of on duty / on call / off duty.  Spacious duplex accommodation is provided on campus.

The post-holder will be part of the extended School Leadership Team, involved in whole-school strategic planning and general school operations and management.

Our School

Dulwich International High School, Suzhou is the school of choice in Suzhou for Chinese parents who wish their children to gain the skills and education necessary for them to be successful in non-Chinese universities.  The major destinations for all of our students is the USA and the UK.  Our school is home to almost 700 students who study IGCSE and A levels. Our students ask for excellence in teaching and they work hard to achieve offers from their universities of choice.

Our offering is largely academic concentrating on STEAM subjects with an outstanding visual arts component which is becoming more popular as it gains in recognition.  Because we believe in developing the whole child, we also have a thriving co-curricular programme in which all students and all teachers participate.

Suzhou is known as the “Venice of the East”.  It has a long and colourful history based around the waterways in the province. Much of Suzhou is designed around the lakes and canal system and it makes for wonderful walking, cycling and exercising opportunities.  Suzhou is a vibrant city that with an enriching arts and performing culture that also offers many scenic areas of peace and tranquillity.  Public transport is cheap and easy to use.  The city is also one of the most multi-cultural in China and offers food and drink from all around the world.

Our Teaching Profile (International High School)

TEACH WORLDWISE

At Dulwich International High School, students come first.  And because teachers play an extraordinary role in nurturing our students to become confident, curious and knowledgeable global citizens, we look to recruit the very best practitioners in international education who are passionate about unlocking the potential of our students.

Our teachers nurture and inspire their students today to make a positive difference in the world – living fully, living responsibly, and living sustainably. We empower our Teachers to Live Worldwise.

Our Vision For Teachers

Worldwise Teachers:

•    Put students first in all they do
•    Display a positive attitude, adaptability and open-mindedness
•    Show professional initiative and perseverance
•    Are truly collaborative and display highly developed communication skills
•    Are committed to internationalism and equity
•    Are committed to sustainability and global citizenship

Worldwise teachers believe in:

•    The right of every student to be safe, supported and nurtured
•    Evidence-based and innovative pedagogy
•    Personalised and differentiated student learning
•    Setting high expectations for every student
•    Empowering students to reach their own goals
•    High levels of student motivation and engagement

Worldwise teacher’s practice:

•    Maximises every student’s opportunity learn
•    Promotes student agency, reflection and a love of learning
•    Delivers academic rigour and holistic learning
•    Reveals the complex and inter-disciplinary nature of learning content
•    Creates a supportive and dynamic learning environment
•    Develops students’ higher-order thinking

Post-holder Qualifications, Experience

How to Apply

To apply for this position you will need to include:
•    an application letter
•    your CV
•    a statement of educational philosophy
•    details of three referees from your current and previous employer
Applications should be submitted through our on-line application system at: https://www.dulwich.org/careers/find-your-career?code=dihsz
For further information please see our website at https://suzhou-high-school.dulwich.org/
The closing date for applications is 30th November 2022.
Interviews will take place as soon as applications are received, therefore early application is encouraged.

Safeguarding Statement

Dulwich College International is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the students in our care and expects all applicants to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices, which are aligned to the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection. We hold ourselves to a high standard of effective recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection.

All appointments are subject to an interview, identity checks, criminal record checks, successful references, as well as due visa and work permit process as required by Chinese law.

Competencies