The posting
The English International Stream (EIS) Head of School is a founding senior academic and strategic leadership position at the International French School (Singapore). This role represents a major strategic investment in the continued growth of the school and its ambition to attract and retain a diverse international student population.
The primary objective is to lead the creation, progressive expansion, and long-term sustainability of the EIS. Specifically, the Head of School will spearhead the rollout from Early Years/Primary foundations into a fully integrated Middle School and High School pathway.
Working closely with the Board of Directors and wider school leadership, the successful candidate will further develop and scale the unique "IFS EIS Framework" a pioneering hybrid model blending the renowned academic rigour of the French National Curriculum with globally recognized, inquiry-based international pedagogical practices.
RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Strategic Expansion & Curriculum Design
- Define the overarching academic vision, positioning, and strategic roadmap for the entire English Stream.
- Architect and execute the progressive rollout of the EIS curriculum into Middle and High School, ensuring a seamless continuum that prepares students for top-tier global universities in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Asia-Pacific and Europe.
- Oversee the complex pedagogical mapping and integration of internationally recognized secondary curriculum frameworks, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), where aligned with the strategic direction of the EIS.
- Adapt the early-years and elementary pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning to meet secondary developmental needs, fostering advanced critical thinking, independent research, and global readiness.
- Lead and coordinate all relevant accreditation, authorisation, certification, and quality assurance processes for the English International Stream.
- Demonstrated ability to lead both the educational and operational development of an English International Stream, including budget responsibility, resource planning, enrolment growth, and long-term financial viability.
B. Academic Leadership & Student Wellbeing
- Ensure all core subjects are delivered with exceptional English-medium quality, maintaining accessibility for non-Francophone expatriate families.
- Manage the integration of an "Action-Based" second-language program (French or Mandarin) into the secondary timetable, ensuring cognitive flexibility and preserving student pathways into the French Plurilingual Stream if necessary.
- Establish robust quality assurance, assessment, and reporting frameworks to uphold academic standards.
- Oversee the assessment of incoming students’academic and language profiles, ensuring teaching is adapted through strong classroom differentiation rather than rigid entry testing.
- Champion student wellbeing and safeguarding, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and highly supportive pastoral care environment across the stream.
C. Staffing, Operations & Campus Integration
- Manage the launch, phased development, and daily operational management of the EIS programme.
- Lead the recruitment, training, and retention of highly qualified, globally experienced English-speaking subject specialists capable of promoting the premium value of the EIS.
- Ensure the expanded EIS cohort seamlessly integrates into the broader IFS community of over 70 nationalities, maximizing shared projects, extracurricular activities, and bilingual interactions to prevent an isolated "school within a school".
- Strategically leverage the school's world-class facilities—including an $90 million campus expansion, science labs, Olympic-sized pools, and performance theaters—to support holistic secondary education.
- Manage the operational budget for the EIS, ensuring effective resource allocation and financial sustainability.
D. Marketing, Admissions, and Parent Relations
- Act as the strategic spokesperson and pedagogical expert for the EIS during Open Houses, campus tours, and prospective parent meetings.
- Establish and grow the program's branding within targeted expatriate communities through active engagement with prospective families and key stakeholders.
- Clearly articulate the Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of the "French Touch" to international families, highlighting premium international education, exceptional value, and global university access without requiring prior French language skills.
- Collaborate closely with wider IFS leadership and governance bodies as an active member of the Comité de Direction.
REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION
- Education:
- Master's Degree in Education, Educational Leadership, School Administration, International Education, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Recognised teaching qualification and relevant school leadership credentials.
- Doctorate in Education (EdD/PhD) or advanced leadership qualifications would be an advantage.
- Experience:
- Minimum 10 years of progressive teaching and academic leadership experience within an international school environment, including experience with internationally recognised curricula such as the French, International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge, British, American, or equivalent educational frameworks with a proven track record of launching, developing, or scaling academic programmes.
- A minimum 5 years of senior leadership experience in a position such as Head of School, Principal, Deputy Head, Academic Director, Director of Teaching & Learning, or an equivalent leadership role within an international school setting, including substantial experience in international secondary education.
- Strong commercial and strategic acumen necessary to support the ambitious goal of growing overall enrollment to 500 students by September 2029, while strengthening and maintaining a premium brand position.
- Proven track record in successfully conceiving, establishing, and leading English International Stream, with responsibility for curriculum mapping, accreditation/inspection processes, school improvement initiatives, and stakeholder engagement within a complex international school environment.
- Experience working within diverse, multicultural, multilingual, and multifaceted educational communities, with a proven ability to build strong relationships with students, parents, staff, governing bodies, and external partners.
- Technical Skills:
- Deep knowledge of international education systems, including French National Curriculum, IB, Cambridge, British, American, or equivalent frameworks, and experience in hybrid or bilingual programme design.
- Expertise in curriculum architecture, academic mapping, and development of coherent learning pathways across primary, middle, and secondary education.
- Soft Skills:
- Possess entrepreneurial and start-up mindset paired with a strict commitment to academic rigour and regulatory compliance.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder-management skills
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Contract Type: Permanent (Full-Time)
- Work Hours: 42 hours per week
- Remuneration: Remuneration based on experience and the IFS salary scale
- Benefits: Health insurance coverage for employees, along with other benefits as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
- Leaves Entitlement: The employee will be entitled to leave benefits in accordance with the IFS Leave Policy and applicable Singapore employment regulations.
- Language Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Proficiency in French would be an advantage.
LINE MANAGER
- Direct Supervisor: Board of Directors or any other person designated by the School.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
- Internal Relationships: Works closely with the Board of Directors, Senior Leadership Team, Academic Leadership, Marketing & Communications, Admissions, Business Development Manager and other internal stakeholders involved in academic strategy, school operations, enrolment growth, and student wellbeing.
- External Relationships:
- Engages with accreditation, inspection, and quality assurance bodies relevant to international curriculum frameworks, including the International Baccalaureate Organization where applicable, as well as other relevant education authorities and regulatory agencies.
- Represents the school at senior level with key external stakeholders, including prospective and existing families, embassy representatives, relocation partners, feeder school leadership, and education consultants.
Key Performance Indicators (First 12 Months - Launch Phase)
KPI Area
Success Indicators
Strategy & Governance
English Stream strategic plan approved by Board/School leadership; governance and reporting model in place.
Curriculum
Complete Primary and Secondary English curriculum framework designed and validated against chosen standards; scope & sequence finalized.
Accreditation
Target accreditation pathway selected; pre-authorisation / candidacy process initiated.
Staffing
Oversee core team roles filled; capacity planning and approved teaching positions hired.
Launch Readiness
Academic policies, assessment framework, timetable, and resources finalized.
Enrollment
Target 200 students enrolled across cohorts for Sept 2027; 350 students for September 2028 and 500 students by September 2029 with a clear prospect pipeline established for the next academic year.
Quality Assurance
QA framework defined; teacher observation & review cycle launched.
Stakeholder Confidence
Positive feedback from parents and leadership; ≥80% satisfaction post-launch; 90%+ student re-enrollment.
Strategic Positioning
English International Stream (EIS) recognized as a credible international pathway within the Expat ecosystem.
Financial Management & Viability
Develop and manage the EIS budget in alignment with approved financial targets; ensure effective resource allocation, staffing efficiency, and cost control; achieve enrolment and revenue targets that support the long-term financial viability of the English International Stream.
