HEAD OF UPPER SECONDARY – START JULY 2024

About Nguyen Sieu – A Proud Vietnamese School

Nguyen Sieu School (NSS), located at Mac Thai To Street in Cau Giay District - Hanoi, is a selective entry school. The school’s vision is to become a premier bilingual school that offers world-class education while upholding traditional Vietnamese values.

NSS offers two main international education pathways: one leading to Cambridge International qualifications (CI Pathway) and another incorporating Academic English with IELTS/SAT Preparation & Advanced Placement (AP) courses (AE Pathway). Both pathways are offered in conjunction with the Vietnamese High School Diploma. NSS is also a Study Center of NCUK, delivering the NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) as an alternative pathway to universities. Our flexible and dynamic pathways are designed to empower Vietnamese students with a holistic education that transcends traditional boundaries.

Since joining the Cambridge international school network in 2013, our IGCSE and A-Level results consistently place higher than the global average, and for eight years consecutively, Nguyen Sieu students are amongst the high achievers and top performers in IGCSE, AS, and A-Level exams.

In 2023, Nguyen Sieu School is proud to be the first school in Vietnam joining a global community of world-class schools adopted the ‘High Performance Learning’ (HPL) philosophy. The HPL philosophy is that all students can be high performers, and we teach with this expectation at the forefront of our minds. We believe that all students can achieve greatness, with practice and perseverance, and students are regularly reminded of this message. Using the HPL framework, which is based on the latest research in neuroscience and psychology, we systematically build the skills and behaviours that are proven to lead a young person to thrive in school and beyond.

Why choose Nguyen Sieu School

At NSS, we pride ourselves on being more than just a school. We're a community that values our staff, upholds our principles, and provides an exceptional educational experience. Our commitment to delivering an international education of the highest quality is reflected in our esteemed accreditations. These accreditations are not just symbols on our profile; they reinforce our commitment to fostering academic excellence and providing exceptional opportunities for educational advancement in the country.

• NSS is accredited by Cambridge International to offer Cambridge International Curriculum from Primary to Lower Secondary, International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), and AS-A Level.
• NSS is a College Board registered school approved to deliver the AP curriculum (school code 225002 ) and an accredited SAT testing centre in Vietnam (Test Centre No: 65599).
• NSS is a Study Center of NCUK, delivering the NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY).
• NSS is an High Performance Learning Pathway School, officially in a two-year journey to achieving HPL accreditation.

NSS has also set out to prioritise the support of aspiring teachers to secure qualifications and competencies for school teaching through our network of current qualified teachers and trained in-school mentors. In 2023, Nguyen Sieu becomes a Teacher Development Hub School of TES Institute (Times Educational Supplement), serving as an authorised placement site for practice teaching as part of the iPGCE and MA programmes offered by the University of East London (UEL).

About the structure

The Cambridge Division is divided into three sections: Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary, and University Preparation. Each of these is managed by an overall Head of Section, supported by a team of Lead Teachers and Student Welfare Coordinators. Lead Teachers assist the Head of Section in upholding high academic standards, focusing on curriculum alignment, effective instruction, and assessment practices within their subject area. Student Welfare Coordinators have overall pastoral responsibility for the students in their section. Heads of Section are line-managed directly by Head of Cambridge and meet weekly to discuss all academic and pastoral issues relating to their section.

About the role

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the Head of Upper Secondary will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing our Cambridge IGCSE curriculum. This involves overseeing academic management, providing support and development for teachers, and enabling both high attainment and high-quality teaching and learning. The Head of Upper Secondary not only promotes academic progress and attainment, but also works to encourage positive emotional wellbeing of students by working with colleagues and parents. Having overall pastoral responsibility for the students in their section, Head of Upper Secondary are expected to support the school rules on behavior, and to liaise closely with parents and other staff, including Student Welfare Coordinators, Lead Teachers, Head of Support, and Head of Student Welfare Office.

No particular academic discipline is sought, but candidates must be able to teach at least one subject to IGCSE, which is part of the NSS Curriculum, with a maximum of 12 contact hours per week.

We are seeking an ideal candidate with extensive experience in international education, a commitment to excellence, and a collaborative leadership approach.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar leadership role.
• Strong understanding of the relevant Cambridge International curriculum.
• Proven track record of successful curriculum development and implementation.
• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Leadership capacity to guide the school community in achieving the HPL school award and world-class school accreditation
• Experience in teacher training and accreditation is advantageous.
• Outstanding teaching with a proven track record.

Working conditions

• Work hours: 40 hours per week (plus 1 hour per day for lunch), normally to be worked between 7.30 am and 4.30 pm, Monday through Friday. Occasionally, the Teacher will be required to work during weekends.
• Standard contact hours: A maximum of 12 contact hours per week. Contact hours include teaching, learning support provision, and coaching/mentoring students, as assigned by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

Benefits

• Attractive competency-based pay (after tax), ranging from VND 55,000,000 to VND 70,000,000
• Sick leave and annual paid leave, including a 2-week holiday during Christmas and New Year
• Premium Medical Insurance with Bao Viet
• Tuition discount for dependent children
• End of Service Allowance
• Work permit and visa/residence card support
• CPD programs and initiatives
• Great students and an inclusive working environment.

Safeguarding and Student Welfare

Nguyen Sieu is committed to high safeguarding standards and promoting the welfare of all the students in our care and those who work in the school. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, identity check, qualification verification and criminal record checks.

Equal employment opportunities

Nguyen Sieu is committed equal opportunities and welcomes applicants from all nationalities and as such we ask that all applicants have the right to work in Vietnam.

Selection process

Applicants are required to submit the current resume (including contact details of 3 referees), a scanned copy of relevant degree certificates, and a statement of suitability against the essential criteria as outlined above. Successful applicants will be short-listed for an interview.