Opportunities at Spark Schools

Purpose of Role:

The Chief Operating Officer takes direct responsibility for the SPARK Schools operations portfolio while contributing to the development of SPARK’s operating model. The position requires a COO who has a proven track record of successfully running business operations in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) macro-environment.

Responsibilities:

• Oversight of the day to day operational and corresponding administrative functions of the business
• Operationalising SPARK’s business strategy
• Driving cost efficiencies that ensure that tuition remains affordable for SPARK Families
• Business process analysis, design and improvement to facilitate operational excellence
• Standardising, documenting and implementing robust procedures to underpin service delivery
• Driving the effective implementation of SPARK’s academic model in all SPARK primary schools
• Achieving performance outcomes through the implementation of effective talent management and performance management practices
• Embedding and nurturing a values and performance-driven employee culture
• Mitigating key business risks through environmental scanning and the design and implementation of operational controls
• Identifying and negotiating key strategic partnerships to drive efficiency and economies of scale
• Maintaining a consistently high standard of “look & feel” of all SPARK Schools
• Developing marketing and sales capabilities to ensure the sustainable growth of the SPARK Schools network
• Using business analytics to make key tactical decisions that drive results in a rapidly-scaling organisation
• Reporting to board and shareholders on operational metrics and business performance

Qualifications and Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:

• Post-graduate qualification - business, commerce, marketing, operations or other relevant fields
• 5 to 10 years of experience in executive leadership positions
• Significant experience leading operations in a multi-site organisation
• Understanding of advanced business planning and regulatory issues
• A solid grasp of data analysis and performance metrics
• Direct skill or background in areas reporting to this post or in the education industry will be a distinct advantage

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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

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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.

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

Qualities:

• 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.