Primary School Head of EAL

UWCSEA East Campus is seeking a well-qualified and experienced teacher of English as an Additional Language (EAL) to lead our Primary EAL department and programme for an August 2025 start.

A relevant degree, teaching qualification and minimum 5 years teaching experience is essential. We are looking for a specialist who can lead and teach across the Primary School Grades, K1 to G5 and will work with their Middle School counterparts to ensure a smooth transition for our language learners.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead an established department and an evolving programme and impact and influence College wide work to meet the needs of our English Language Learners.

All staff actively promote the College’s Mission, Educational Goal, Values and Learning Principles through their supportive engagement with students, colleagues and parents. They actively participate in all five elements of the UWCSEA learning programme: Academics; Activities; Outdoor Education; Personal and Social Education and Service.

The successful candidate will be a highly resourceful and forward-thinking collaborator, passionate about language learning. They will bring with them a passion for interdisciplinary learning and a rich understanding of concept based teaching and learning. The successful candidate will recognise the power of learner agency in building competent, confident and independent students.

We are committed to cultivating a culture of inclusion where all members of our community treat each other with kindness and compassion and where all feel they belong. We believe that a diverse staff body reflects and supports the diversity of our students and wider society and actively welcome applications from the widest range of passionate, forward thinking educators

Main Responsibilities

Develop and maintain an effective EAL programme to support English Language Learners to achieve their potential and access the five elements of UWCSEA’s learning programme.

Support school policies and collaborate with Heads of Grade, Vice Principals and the Principal to achieve strategic goals. Work alongside teachers in supporting English Language Learners from K1 to Grade 5.

Leadership

• Lead the Primary EAL department according to the UWCSEA Leadership Standards
• Working closely with the Primary Leadership and the Student Support Services Teams, support the College’s commitment to inclusion
• Strategically ensure all programme are aligned with a tiered approach to support and learners with a range of language proficiency needs

Teaching

• Teach in line with the UWCSEA Teacher Standards
• Teaching commitments will include co-teaching, co-planning, facilitating small group and individual learning, both within and outside of the classroom and leading the professional development of teachers and teaching assistants
• Plan interventions to be implemented by teaching assistants and teachers

Assessment and tracking

• Coordinate systems for monitoring and tracking the progress of English Language Learners in English within a concept- based curriculum and and in alignment with external language proficiency criteria,the Common European Framework (CEFR)
• Conduct assessments and review applications for student applicants to UWCSEA who may have EAL needs and ensure appropriate provision is available on entry
• Contribute to class placement decisions in conjunction with the Primary School Leadership Team
• Coordinate assessments of students who have been referred by teachers, and make recommendations for provision

Advocacy

• Assist with providing differentiated programmes for individual students
• Ensure the smooth transition between grades of students on the EAL register
• Possess a range of strategies to build effective and engaging working relationships with students, colleagues and parents.

Administration and Communication

• Maintain records on the College’s online information system
• Coordinate the management of the EAL budget alongside the Head of Student Support, including ordering resources
• Attend, as appropriate, grade level, school level, student support and curriculum meetings
• Communicate proactively and regularly with class teachers and Heads of Grade
• Communicate with parents, including planning and facilitating coffee mornings and maintaining other channels of communication

Professional Learning

• Attend to own Professional Learning and keep abreast of current pedagogy in related fields
• Facilitate and plan Professional Learning sessions for teachers, teaching assistants and parents
• Provide support for differentiated practice within the classroom to support all learners in accessing the curriculum

General

• Teachers are expected to participate in the five key elements of a UWCSEA education: Academics; Activities; Outdoor Education; Personal and Social Education and Service
• Academic expectations include enthusiastic participation in Professional Learning, both that which is mandated by the College and that which is identified by the individual.
• On average the College expects a yearly contribution of two sessions per week in each season to Activities and/or Service
• The College expects that teachers will participate enthusiastically in the curricular Outdoor Education experiences which are relevant to their students and will also occasionally volunteer for holiday Outdoor Education trips
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential alongside a willingness to adapt and develop pedagogy to meet the needs of our learners

Expectations and Standards

• Follow the UWCSEA Professional Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
• Teach in line with the UWCSEA Teacher Standards

Person Specifications

• A relevant degree and a recognized teaching qualification or certification are essential
• 5 years of teaching experience as a Primary classroom and/or Primary EAL teacher required.
• Leadership experience preferable
• Experience of leading an EAL programme would be an advantage
• Recent formal training and/or experience in English Language Learning (EAL/ESL etc.) or Applied Linguistics highly desirable
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential alongside a willingness to adapt and develop pedagogy to meet the needs of our learners. We see this role as playing a key role in our DEIJ strategy as we move towards a more diverse and inclusive community

Timeline

We have multiple stages in our recruitment process; however, we reserve the right to choose which stages to include in different recruitment roles.

Estimated Timeline:

• Online one way interview (Spark Hire) in the week beginning 2 1 October 2024
• Online Conversations week beginning in the week beginning 4 November 2024
• Final Interview week in the week beginning 1 4 November 2024

We aim to communicate with all candidates regarding whether they have been moved to the next stage or not.

Applications

Apply via our job portal by Friday, 18 October 202 4 2 3:5 9hrs Singapore Time

The UWC Mission is to make education a force to unite people, nations and culture for peace and a sustainable future. We are committed to creating a community in which all members feel safe and secure, and know that their authentic selves and individual differences are accepted with respect and care. At UWCSEA, we acknowledge that diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) is an ongoing and evolving process and strive to create and sustain a sense of belonging for all members of our community, past, present and future. All qualified applicants, including those who identify as a part of marginalized group(s) and individuals with (dis)abilities are all encouraged to apply. Our school 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 and all appointments are subject to interview, satisfactory references, identity and criminal record checks.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract
Contract length: 24 months

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Application Deadline: 18/10/2024