Head of Spanish

Taylor’s International School, Kuala Lumpur (TISKL) is looking for a suitably qualified Head of Spanish for our Secondary School.

TISKL provides quality education through the English national curriculum using the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), and IGCSE courses near the centre of the city. With a current enrolment of about 1400 students encompassing over 40 different nationalities, we have a well-established, dedicated local staff and approximately 10% expat teachers. Our school brings together the very best of East and West! The TIS brand has a clear ethos, and structure, by which all schools will deliver holistic education.

About the role
We plan to launch Spanish (Foreign Language) as a subject option in KS3 in the new school year, starting in January 2026. Beginning with years 7, 8 and 9, this will become an IGCSE subject option the following year, in January 2027.

In order to ensure the successful launch of the subject, we are looking for an experienced Head of Spanish to set the department up. Initially, there will be just one Spanish teacher, responsible for all Spanish classes in Years 7, 8 and 9. As the year progresses, they will work with the Senior Leadership Team to recruit a second Spanish teacher, ready to start in January 2027, when it is offered as an IGCSE option.

In Year 1, the Head of Spanish will

• Set up a new department and launch the subject.
• Set up a new department, developing departmental policies, schemes of work and assessment systems in line with school policies.
• Select the most appropriate resources and manage them to ensure the best quality learning experience for students.
• Promote Spanish as a subject option.
• Deliver a stimulating and challenging learning environment for all students in Spanish.
• Work with the school’s leadership team to advertise and recruit a second Spanish teacher to join the team in the second year.

Teaching and learning

• Understand and demonstrate excellence in teaching and learning
• Utilise strategies for raising students’ achievement
• Seek and make effective use of national/international data, school data, self-evaluation procedures, and the findings of external quality surveys to develop the department.
• Ensure seamless integration of e-learning to enhance teaching and learning

Assessment and evaluation

• Check student’s written work and teacher feedback
• Ensure the highest standard and quality of assessments and feedback
• Establish and implement clear policies and practices for assessing, recording and reporting on student achievement.
• Establish clear targets for students’ achievement, and evaluate progress and achievement by all students, including those with curriculum support needs
• Use data effectively to identify students who are underachieving and, where necessary, create and implement effective plans of action to support those students.

Relations with parents and community

• Establish a partnership with parents.
• Develop effective links with the local, national and international community, including business and industry.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with parents, external agencies and the wider community.

In Year 2, the Head of Spanish, in leading a team of teachers, will:

1. Facilitate and oversee a cohesive and dynamic department, with a shared purpose to achieve at the highest levels.
2. Develop and implement policies and practices to ensure that the Head of Secondary is well informed about department provision, about the department’s success in meeting objectives and targets, and about department-related professional development plans.
3. Create a climate which enables other teachers to develop and maintain positive attitudes and confidence in their teaching.

The head of faculty will, in addition to being a subject teacher, demonstrate high levels of competence in the following areas:

Organise teams

• Planning and setting expectations
• Plan comprehensive and challenging SoWs
• Set expectations and targets
• Plan for development of the department
• Ensure successful provision for SEN and EAL pupils
• Make full use of additional opportunities for curriculum enrichment: field trips, guests etc.

Managing performance

• Prioritise and manage own time effectively,
• Achieve challenging professional goals.
• Help staff achieve constructive working relationships with students.
• Establish clear expectations and constructive working relationships among staff, devolving responsibilities, delegating tasks and evaluating practice.
• Appraise staff as required by the school policy.
• Ensure that new teachers are appropriately monitored, supported and assessed.
• Lead professional development through example and support, and co-ordinate the provision of high quality professional development

Managing resources

• Establish staff and resource needs and advise the HOS
• Efficiently deploy staff working with students with curriculum support or EAL needs.
• Organise and co-ordinate the deployment of learning resources.
• Maintain existing resources and explore opportunities to develop or incorporate new resources.