Uppingham International Schools (UIS) is seeking an exceptional educational leader to become its first Director of Education. This is a unique opportunity to shape the educational vision and quality assurance framework of a growing international family of schools, extending Uppingham’s distinctive educational ethos across established schools in Cairo and Vietnam and future international developments., Uppingham School is one of the United Kingdom’s leading independent schools, renowned for educational excellence, character development, strong pastoral care and holistic education. As UIS expands internationally, the Director of Education will play a pivotal role in upholding these values and ensuring consistently high educational standards while responding to different local contexts. Reporting to the International Executive Board (IEB), you will act as its principal educational adviser, providing strategic leadership, independent assurance and constructive challenge on educational standards, safeguarding, curriculum and school leadership. Working closely with the Executive Director, overseas Heads, governors and partners, you will help ensure that every school delivers an ambitious, high-quality education grounded in Uppingham’s ethos. A key priority will be to develop and lead the UIS Standards Framework and Quality Assurance Visit programme, establishing a consistent approach to evaluating educational performance, identifying improvement priorities and sharing effective practice. You will also advise on senior leadership appointments and development, curriculum standards, accreditation, and the educational readiness of prospective and new schools. The role is based at Uppingham School in Rutland and involves significant international travel.
The annual holiday entitlement is 30 working days, and public holidays that fall out of term time. Up to 5 days must be taken over the Christmas period. Public holidays in term time are normal working days; a day off in lieu is given at another time. Ad hoc days off are permitted during term time but the majority of holiday is to be taken during the School holidays.
Whether you are an established Deputy Head, Head Principal, Executive Head, Director of Education or hold an equivalent senior leadership position, you will bring a proven track record of raising standards, leading school improvement and shaping educational strategy.
You will have significant experience in an international or comparably complex educational environment, with a strong background in quality assurance, inspection, accreditation or school review. You will understand what exceptional education looks like in practice and have the expertise to evaluate performance, strengthen safeguarding, develop curriculum standards and support the growth of senior leaders. Confident engaging with Heads, governors and trustees, you will combine the credibility to influence at the highest level with the independence of judgement to ask challenging questions and offer constructive, evidence-based advice. You will be comfortable balancing the need for consistent group-wide standards with the flexibility to recognise the cultural, educational and regulatory contexts in which individual schools operate. Above all, you will be a principled, collaborative and forward-thinking leader who combines strategic vision with practical follow-through. You will be motivated by the opportunity to shape a growing international family of schools, build lasting relationships across countries and help ensure that Uppingham’s distinctive educational ethos continues to thrive. An unwavering commitment to pupil welfare and safeguarding will be central to your approach. Experience of international school accreditation, new-school development, educational partnerships or bilingual and multilingual settings would be advantageous, as would a relevant postgraduate qualification in education or leadership.
Uppingham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful candidates must be willing to undergo full screening in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE), including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils will be explored at interview.
When you join us, you become part of a community that appreciates and supports its team members. You will enjoy a range of benefits that reflect our appreciation:
- Contributory pension scheme and associated benefits.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Business-class travel for agreed scheduled annual long-haul international journeys.
- Stipend covering travel costs.
- Access to professional development and leadership opportunities.
- Death in service cover with a lump sum of three times annual salary
- Free membership of dual-use Sports Centre (£25 annual admin fee)
- Free staff lunches in term-time
- School fee day place discount for children of staff
- Discount at a local nursery in Uppingham
- 25% discount on holiday club fees for children of Uppingham staff
- Westfield health care package
- Westfield Rewards which gives discounts at various retailers, gyms, cinemas, and restaurants
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free annual influenza jabs
- Complimentary staff ticket for select School performances
- In house Occupational Health Service
Working arrangements
Normal working hours are Monday-Friday 37.5 hours per week in term-time, 35 hours per week in school holidays. However, out of hours and weekend work will be required during term time, commensurate with the level of the position held.
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