Fresh Opportunities at SPARK Schools

Purpose of Role:

Security guards ensure that the school grounds and facilities are kept safe and secure during operational hours.
Security guards are integral to the SPARK Schools “culture” and our commitment to providing a world-class learning environment for our scholars.

Requirements

Responsibilities:

• Close the school grounds daily manually (lock and key) and rearm the alarm.
• Ensure the safety and security of all students, staff, and visitors on campus by patrolling the grounds and monitoring the gate.
• Assist all visitors who arrive to the school by welcoming them, receiving their personal details, providing a guest pass, and directing them to the relevant staff members.
• Assist visitors as they leave the school by helping them to return their guest pass and sign out.
• Assist with dismissal procedures daily to ensure the safety of students.
• Adhere to the safety and security procedures of SPARK.
• Report safety and security issues to school leadership, including the arrival of suspicious persons, the delivery of suspicious packages, the loitering of people in close proximity to school grounds, or any suspicious behaviour by members of staff or visitors.
• Assist with ad hoc operational tasks, such as moving furniture, working with maintenance and gardening suppliers, collaborating with facilities maintenance staff, or setting up for events.
• Communicate and collaborate professionally with school staff as required.
• Participate actively in staff development opportunities as a member of the SPARK Schools team.
• Conduct self in a professional manner at all SPARK Schools events and to all stakeholders.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• English language fluency
• Police clearance certificate
• Grade 12 certificate
• Grade level B or C security certificate
• PSiRA registration

Experience

• Previous security guarding experience.

Skills and Mindset

• Grit: Persistence through challenges.
• Excellence: A track record of high expectations personally and professionally.
• Mission and Vision Alignment: Understanding of and passion for the SPARK Schools mission to provide excellent education at an affordable cost.
• Self­ Reflection: Finding the capacity to bring your best self to challenges and opportunities.

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Purpose of Role:

Teachers in SPARK Schools drive student achievement by maintaining high expectations for classroom culture, behaviour, and academic growth for all students.

SPARK Schools teachers receive on-going professional development customised for their past experience and individual needs.

All teachers are integral to the SPARK Schools’ “culture” and our commitment to rigorous, engaging learning experiences for our scholars.

Responsibilities:

• Plan for and be prepared to deliver lessons in English and Personal and Social Well-being to students, depending on the grade level and timetable.
• Provide instruction in a variety of subjects and reach students with engaging lesson plans and resources.
• Collaborate with grade level and content area partners to develop rigorous, engaging learning experiences and to create individualised behaviour and learning plans for all students in class face to face and online.
• Lead weekly SEL (Social Emotional Learning) circles and implement SPARK Schools Social Emotional Learning curriculum.
• Use SPARK culture and implement behaviour management strategies.
• Administer and mark weekly and termly formative and summative assessments to track student progress and analyse the data for student growth.
• SPARK Educators should have a core focus on student achievement and should drive all scholars to meet the required proficiency ratings.
• Submit student results data when required.
• Attend pre-service professional development before the school year begins and attend weekly professional development and any other training interventions.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with colleagues, parents and other stakeholders.
• Conduct self in a professional manner at all SPARK Schools events and to all stakeholders.
• Nurture a high achieving work environment where all students feel genuinely valued and supported.
• Attend Saturday events and parent community meetings.
• Implement strategies implemented by the Crisis Management team.
• Adhere to the child protection, anti-bullying and health and safety policy.
• Promote the vision and mission of SPARK Schools to staff, scholars, families, and the greater community.

Requirements
Qualifications and Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• B.Ed. degree or PGCE. Intermediate/Senior Phase. Recently qualified teachers are encouraged to apply!
• Certification through the South African Council of Educators (SACE).
• SAQA accreditation for non-South African equivalent qualifications
• English language fluency.
• A clear criminal record

Experience:

• Recently qualified teachers or teachers with experience are encouraged to apply!

Skills and Mindset:

• Strong desire to be part of a vibrant and dynamic technology-driven work environment fostering creativity, collaboration and an atmosphere that encourages and allows top performers to thrive.
• Strong desire to be part of a collaborative, team spirited and fast growing Social ImpactDisruptor and Society Shaper who is leading change in the education space in South Africa through transformational education innovation, ensuring the accessibility of university and careers for all.
• Strong desire to be part of a learning culture with excellent career development and advancement opportunities supported by individualised professional development, support and mentorship.
• Ability, Desire and Passion to deliver high quality transformational education at affordable fees to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all.

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Purpose of Role:

The Principal drives student achievement by leading a team of excellent staff to prepare SPARK scholars for university and beyond. The Principal sets a rigorous vision for student achievement and implements strategic steps to lead staff, families, students, and the greater community to fulfill that vision. The Principal collaborates with the Assistant Principal(s) and Operations and Blended Learning Manager to uphold high expectations for school culture, student achievement, and professional development.

The Principal drives decision ­making within the SPARK Schools model in terms of the instructional program and school operations to ensure that every SPARK scholar is academically successful and an excellent representative of the SPARK core values. The Principal is integral to the SPARK Schools “culture” and our commitment to rigorous, engaging learning experiences for our scholars.

Reports To: High School Product Manager

Requirements

Responsibilities:

• Create and maintain a school culture that values high achievement, strong character, and a love for learning.
• Implement a highly rigorous and engaging instructional program that promotes content mastery, creative problem solving, and character development, which is consistent with SPARK Schools’ mission and vision.
• Use quantitative (assessment) and qualitative (anecdotal) data to drive decision-­making and instruction at the school.
• Set ambitious goals, academically and otherwise, and holds staff and students accountable for achieving those results.
• Manage behaviour policy, student behaviour and oversee the implementation of individualised plans for students who repeatedly do not meet SPARK Schools’ behavioural expectations.
• Promote a culture of self-reflection and continual improvement of effectiveness in staff:
• Facilitate the professional development of SPARK staff by keeping a consistent weekly observation and coaching cycle and collaborating with SPARK Support staff to provide relevant weekly professional development sessions.
• Conduct termly evaluations of SPARK staff to nurture their professional growth and leadership capacities.
• Facilitate a high-­achieving work environment where staff feel genuinely valued and supported.
• Build relationships with all relevant stakeholders, including parents, families, greater community, and Department of Basic Education, and leverage these relationships to increase student achievement:
• Lead termly and monthly school­-wide community events, leveraging the capacity of the school leadership team, teachers, and active parents for support.
• Lead the process for achieving accreditation with Umalusi for the delivery of National Senior Certificate examinations.
• Lead the process for administering National Senior Certificate examinations and relevant district and provincial standardised examinations.
• Manage the Instructional Assistant Principal(s) including an Operational Assistant Principal and facilitate their leadership development in the context of SPARK’s network­-wide leadership development program.
• Participate in the selection of new school based personnel.
• Responsible for the onboarding of all new staff members.
• Define and share information about policies and procedures to parents, students, staff and community.
• Participate actively in staff development opportunities as a member of the SPARK Schools team.
• Conduct self in a professional manner at all SPARK Schools events and to all stakeholders.
• Manage the school financial budget.

Qualifications and Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:

Experience

• At least 3-4 years of excellent classroom instruction including Grade 12 teaching experience
• At least two years in high school leadership
• Experience and practice with labour laws
• Experience and practice with Umalusi accreditation and National Senior Certificate examination administration

Preferred qualifications and criteria

• English language fluency
• Grade 12 Certificate
• Completed B.Ed or PGCE degree (SP & FET)
• Honours or a Masters qualification advantageous
• SACE registration
• Clear criminal record

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Purpose of Role:

The Assistant Principal drives student achievement as an instructional leader by providing excellent instructional coaching and professional development to benefit classroom instruction and the Learning Lab. The Assistant Principal supports the Principal in providing teachers, blended learning facilitators, and PE coaches the training and support necessary to be highly effective, professional educators.

The Assistant Principal is integral to the SPARK Schools “culture” and our commitment to rigorous, engaging learning experiences for our scholars

Responsibilities:

• Ensure the continual professional development of our educators by coaching members of the instructional staff to the successful completion of the goals set in their individualised professional growth plans. This includes designing and facilitating weekly professional development sessions for the whole faculty, as well as arranging for individual professional growth opportunities.
• Support student achievement by setting clear and high expectations for excellent teaching in all content areas. Maintain a regular schedule of observations in all learning spaces and observation review meetings with educators to ensure that they can successfully plan instruction, execute instruction, and implement SPARK Schools’ culture and behaviour management techniques.
• Implement the network’s rigorous curriculum, which aligns to and extends the South African national curriculum.
• Implement online curriculum and small ­group tutoring in the Learning Lab that aligns to and extends what is taught by classroom teachers.
• Facilitate an assessment and data analysis cycle that allows instructional staff to analyse student performance and identify areas for targeted instruction.
• Collaborate with school leadership team to manage instructional staff, including facilitating termly and final evaluations.
• Participate in the selection of new school-based personnel.
• Responsible for the onboarding of instructional staff members.
• Define and share information about network-wide policies and procedures to parents, students, staff and community.
• Implement disciplinary policies and procedures.
• Participate actively in staff development opportunities as a member of the SPARK Schools team.
• Conduct self in a professional manner at all SPARK Schools events and to all stakeholders.

Requirements

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• English language fluency.
• Clear criminal record.
• Grade 12 Certificate.
• Completed B.Ed or PGCE degree.
• SACE registration.

Experience:

• Previous experience managing or working with primary school-aged children.
• At least 2 years of excellent classroom instruction.
• Previous experience leading a team.
• Experience and practice with labour laws.

Skills and Mindset:

• Strong desire to be part of a vibrant and dynamic technology-driven work environment fostering creativity, collaboration and an atmosphere that encourages and allows top performers to thrive.
• Strong desire to be part of a collaborative, team spirited and fast growing Social Impact Disruptor and Society Shaper who is leading change in the education space in South Africa through transformational education innovation, ensuring the accessibility of university and careers for all.
• Strong desire to be part of a learning culture with excellent career development and advancement opportunities supported by individualised professional development, support and mentorship.
• Ability, Desire and Passion to deliver high quality transformational education at affordable fees to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all.

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Purpose of Role:

The purpose of the Facilities Coordinator role is to service SPARK School sites building-related activities and operations. This service includes preserving the good condition of infrastructure, while ensuring that all facilities and surrounding environments are safe, well-functioning, up-to-date, and enable employees and scholars to work productively. In addition, the Facilities Coordinator is also responsible for leading and growing a team of skilled and competent staff, whilst championing the SPARK culture and brand in all stakeholder interactions. The Facilities Coordinator serves as the central point of contact for the management and administration of service delivery to schools. This role works closely with the Health & Safety Officers, Project Managers and school leaders. 

This is a position for a person who has a mature, realistic, understanding of their capabilities and who has the confidence in their ability to deliver against demanding expectations.

Reports To: Operations Manager

Responsibilities:

• Inspect school buildings and determine the need for renovations / repairs. 
• Ensure building and workspaces comply with Occupational Health & Safety Act.
• Ensure that workspaces accommodate employee needs according to SANS standards. 
• Ensure maintenance of buildings by requesting repairs or contracting maintenance services as needed in a cost-effective manner.
• Ensure vehicle(s) is serviced and maintained as required. 
• Liaise with internal team members and landscaping suppliers to ensure that buildings, facilities and surrounding areas are neat, tidy and maintained to the agreed upon standard.  
• Conduct reactive, proactive, and preventative maintenance to sites and equipment. 
• Liaise with school leadership teams should any work requiring closures or adjustment to schedules need to take place. 
• When required, put in place contingency plans for any work requiring a change in schedule / routine.
• Come up with innovative solutions and/or ideas for facilities improvement and beautification.  
• Create and maintain an asset register for portfolio.
• Ensure maintenance of small portable equipment is done to appropriate standards.
• Conduct vehicle checks on a regular basis, and flag any identified problems, services due, etc, in a timely manner.
• Be the first respondent to any building-related emergencies. 
• Investigate utilities consumption reported by Property Manager/Operations Manager and strive to minimize costs. 
• Draft and submit monthly maintenance reports. 
• Set up and improve processes which facilitate everyday operations.
• Manage SPARK’s service desk system for the facilities portfolio. 
• Administer and allocate tickets, tasks and requests to the appropriate personnel
• Ensure all logged tickets are resolved and attended to within agreed SLAs. 
• Update tickets timeously and follow up on any outstanding tickets to understand any issues or delays that may be experienced. 
• Manage external service providers and contractors, including their adherence to agreed SLAs. 
• Ensure that all outsourced services are administered according to the service level agreements and service catalogue.
• Maintain ongoing communication with contractors, clients, and team. This includes conducting supplier meetings termly, or according to the needs and relationship with the supplier. 
• Regularly communicate and liaise with each site’s School Operations Manager (SOM) to keep abreast of the facilities portfolio and day-to-day operations. 
• Create and maintain excellent relations with all stakeholders including Municipal Officials and other officials from regulatory authorities. 
• Build and nurture existing and new client relationships to ensure ongoing satisfaction and effectiveness (incl. landlords and schools)..
• Ensure that an appropriate number of quotations (approx. 2 - 3) are obtained prior to approving costing/quotations. Work to negotiate the best possible costing. 
• Review quotations carefully to ensure the correct costings are received on all quotations. 
• Payment management: Ensure monthly supplier invoices and credit card costs are uploaded on time. 

Requirements

Qualifications and Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:

• Relevant Facilities/building environment qualification.
• N3 - N6 in Engineering would be advantageous
• SAFMA Registered Professional Preferred.

Experience:

• 2 - 3 years facilities/operations management experience with a portfolio of commercial property assets
• Project management experience ( multiple simultaneous projects ) with knowledge of built environment, design, construction (preferred)
• Systems management and administration experience
• Strong knowledge of building infrastructure and maintenance
• Knowledge of building compliance (SANS) as well as Occupational Health & Safety legislation
• Knowledge of electrical systems will be beneficial 

Competencies:

• Examining information
• Developing expertise
• Providing insights
• Adopting practical approach
• Managing tasks
• Producing output
• Meeting timeframes
• Following procedures
• Upholding standards
• Taking action
• Checking details
• Making decisions
• Interacting with people
• Directing and empowering people
• Showing composure
• Inviting feedback
• Team working

Qualities: 

• Strong leadership, organization, communication and relationship management skills.
• Attention to detail approach. 
• Must have the ability to maintain existing client relationships and build new client relationships.
• Willing to work after hours if and when required.
• Ability to work under pressure, multitask and prioritise.
• An organised and methodical approach.
• The ability to work on strict deadlines and targets.
• Good negotiation skills.
• The ability to explain financial matters firmly and clearly.
• Basic accounting knowledge - figure orientated.
• Administrative and computer skills.
• Excellent work standard and ethics.
• Ability to participate as a team member and achieve agreed objectives.
• Self-motivated with a strong drive to deliver.
• Able to problem solve.
• Ability to handle difficult situations with tact, grace and style.
• Must be results-oriented and able to work both independently and within a team environment.
• Displays grit, high level of excellence, is mission & vision aligned and displays a high level of self-reflection (GEMS).  

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Purpose of Role:

SPARK Schools maths teachers drive student achievement by maintaining high expectations for classroom culture, behaviour, and academic growth for all students. SPARK Schools maths teachers are content specialists, who receive on­going professional development customised for their past experience and individual needs.

Maths teachers are integral to the SPARK School’ “culture” and our commitment to rigorous, engaging learning experiences for our scholars. SPARK Schools teaches the PR1ME Maths curriculum which is a world class program based on effective teaching and learning practices of Singapore, Republic of Korea and Hong Kong.

Responsibilities:

• Plan for and be prepared to deliver lessons to students.
• Collaborate with grade level and content area partners to develop rigorous, engaging learning experiences and to create individualised behaviour and learning plans for all students.
• Administer weekly and termly assessments to track student progress and analyse the data for student growth.
• SPARK Educators should have a core focus on student achievement and should drive all scholars to meet the required proficiency ratings.
• Lead weekly SEL (Social Emotional Learning) circles and implement SPARK Schools Social Emotional Learning curriculum.
• Use SPARK culture and implement behaviour management strategies.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with colleagues, parents and other stakeholders.
• Participate actively in staff development opportunities as a member of the SPARK Schools team.
• Attend Saturday events and parent community meetings.
• Conduct self in a professional manner at all SPARK Schools events and to all stakeholders.
• Nurture a high ­achieving work environment where all students feel genuinely valued and supported.
• Promote the vision and mission of SPARK Schools to staff, scholars, families, and the greater community.
• Implement strategies implemented by the Crisis Management team.
• Adhere to the child protection, anti-bullying and health and safety policy.
• Submit student results data when required.

Requirements

Qualifications and Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• B.Ed. degree or PGCE.(Intermediate or senior phase) Mathematics focus and competency. Recently qualified teachers are encouraged to apply!
• Certification through the South African Council of Educators (SACE).
• SAQA accreditation for non-South African equivalent qualifications
• English language fluency.
• A clear criminal record

Experience:
Recently qualified teachers or teachers with experience are encouraged to apply!

Skills and Mindset:

• Strong desire to be part of a vibrant and dynamic technology-driven work environment fostering creativity, collaboration and an atmosphere that encourages and allows top performers to thrive.
• Strong desire to be part of a collaborative, team spirited and fast growing Social Impact Disruptor and Society Shaper who is leading change in the education space in South Africa through transformational education innovation, ensuring the accessibility of university and careers for all.
• Strong desire to be part of a learning culture with excellent career development and advancement opportunities supported by individualised professional development, support and mentorship.
• Ability, Desire and Passion to deliver high quality transformational education at affordable fees to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all.

We are looking for ‘’GEMS’’ with the following attributes:

• Grit: Persistence through challenges.
• Excellence: A track record of high expectations personally and professionally.
• Mission and Vision Alignment: Understanding of and passion for the SPARK Schools mission to provide excellent education at an affordable cost.
• Self Reflection: Finding the capacity to bring your best self to challenges and opportunities