Grade Dean Job at London, England, United Kingdom Full Time

Overall Purpose:

The High School Grade-level Dean is the primary steward for a grade’s experience during their time in the high school.  Through collaboration with students, families, and faculty, and with support from their advisory team, the dean facilitates and fosters students’ personal, social, and academic development through their four years of high school. The grade-level dean is part of the Office of Student Life charged with advising students from their transition into high school through post-secondary planning. This is a position that will include teaching 1 or 2 classes or other equivalent student life-related responsibilities.

Summary of Major Responsibilities:

Student Life

• Counsel and guide students and their parents/guardians, in both group and individual meetings, on all aspects of school life to encourage the development of the whole child
• Plan and conduct age-appropriate student group activities and programs to enhance academic and social-emotional growth.
• Develop, design, and lead grade-level lesson plans for advisory teams.
• During the 9th and 10th grade years, Deans will lead the Peer Leadership program to develop student-leaders who support 9th and 10th grade advisories.
• Write a weekly informational bulletin for the parents and students.
• Organize activities at the start of the school year to welcome new students and bond class members.
• Train grade-level Student Council members to run class meetings and program grade activities.
• Attend classes, games, plays and concerts to get to know each student in the class.

Student Support

• Collaborate with the Director of Student Life, Attendance Officer, and OSA Director, Dean of University Advising to monitor attendance, schedule changes, discipline, leaves, study abroad, Academic Probation and graduation requirements for the grade.
• Coordinate with faculty, SLD, school counselors and coaches as needed.

Academic Advising

• Work with the High School Admin team and university advisors on all matters pertaining to academic advising and advisory.
• Speak with new students and parents/guardians in spring and late summer to introduce ASL and schedule students: work with school counselors at prior schools as necessary
• Work with the team of university advisors to develop and present grade-level parent and student education programs and sessions, often in the evenings.
• Work with advisors and university advisors to conduct annual academic and extracurricular planning sessions with students and parents/guardians, often in the evenings.
• Write recommendations for students who transfer to other schools.

General Responsibilities:

• Participate in student support, faculty, and K-12 meetings.
• Any other duties within the scope, spirit, and purpose of the job, as requested.

Essential qualifications/skills/experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree and substantive teaching experience in a high school setting
• An appreciation for the perspectives and experiences of adolescents
• A desire to work in a team-focused, collaborative, community environment
• Knowledge of high school curriculum and understanding of adolescent development
• Professional and confidential approach to working with students and families
• A relational and collaborative approach to leadership
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• A deep and demonstrated commitment to courageous global citizenship

This position description is current at the date shown but following consultation may be changed to reflect or anticipate changes in the role that are commensurate with the job title and salary.

The American School in London is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all trustees, employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All new appointments will be subject to appropriate checks: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS enhanced), Disqualification by Association Self-Declaration, Declaration of Criminal Record, checks against the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) Prohibition List (Teacher Status Checks) including Identity, Address, Date of Birth, a Full Employment History, Right to Work in the UK, overseas checks where applicable, at least 2 references (one with current or most recent employer, where appropriate) and original documentation of Qualifications (where appropriate). For positions into Senior Management a Prohibition from Management Check (s128 Directive) will also be undertaken.

All posts involving direct contact with children are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 & 2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’. These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. You may be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process. If your application is successful, this self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure & Barring Service before your appointment is confirmed.

Diversity and equality of opportunity are cornerstone values of The American School in London. ASL is dedicated to fostering courageous global citizenship in a diverse and inclusive school environment. In our international community, we aspire for the cultures and backgrounds of our employees to mirror those of our families and student body, and we enthusiastically welcome applications from candidates who bring diverse life experiences, perspectives and skills. Educators with knowledge of global education and prospective applicants for any position who are committed to diversity and inclusion are particularly welcome to apply. The American School in London will not discriminate against an applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally recognised protected characteristic under local law. Read our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement here.