Head of Senior School

General 

The Head of Senior School reports directly to the Headmaster and is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the Senior School. 

The Head of Senior is also expected to contribute to the strategic leadership of the school, including the school self-evaluation process, and to be aware of the requirements for the periodic inspections (as part of the UK Government’s British Schools Overseas scheme). (S)he is a member of whole school leadership groups that include the Headmaster, General Manager, Head of Junior School, Director of Educational technology, Head of safeguarding & Wellbeing, Director of Marketing and Admissions and the Director of HR. The St. Paul's Leadership Group are the strategic leadership of the school and work closely with the Board of Governors. 

Leadership 

The Head of Senior is a key role in the school and should support the Headmaster in providing excellent leadership. The Head of Senior should set the highest standards for collaboration, innovation and excellence in the school, by embracing the school´s mission and values and by working as a champion for change and further school improvement. The Head of Senior will be an excellent teacher, leading by example, an insightful and dedicated leader and someone who embodies the values of our school. (S)he will work in close collaboration with the Head of Junior School to ensure the continuity of academic and pastoral excellence throughout the school. 

Main Responsibilities  

This list is not exhaustive; it is indictive of the scope of the role. As this is a new post with the management structure of the school, aspects of the role will evolve over time. 

Senior School Pupil Development 

• Provide a secure, stimulating and orderly Senior School environment in which pupils’ happiness, welfare, academic excellence and all-round development can be nurtured and are central to teaching and learning 

• Leading the SLT (Senior Leadership Team) to provide continuous and consistent development and improvement of Senior pupils’ moral, spiritual, physical and social development 

• Working with the Headmaster and the Assistant Head Pastoral in promoting positive pupil behaviour and effective systems and rewards 

• Working with the Headmaster and Assistant Head Teaching and Learning and Assistant Head Curriculum to promote a challenging, broad, balanced and innovative Senior School curriculum to cater for pupils’ strengths, and needs 

• Help to ensure a smooth transition for pupils as they move from the Junior School and into the Sixth Form and onto life beyond St Paul’s 

• Working with the Enrichment lead to ensure a wide range of activities for pupils and to give them confidence in their ability to take on new challenges 

• Working with the Head of Junior School to prepare the whole school for inspections 

• Working with the Head of Outdoor Learning and Sustainability to develop the best environment for our community 

Pupil safety and parental relations 

• Responsible for the safety and general welfare of Senior School pupils 

• Promote and support safeguarding procedures and very best practice in the Senior School, undertake appropriate and regular child protection and safer recruitment training 

• Work with the school’s Registrar and the Brazilian official Director to ensure that pupil records are maintained in accordance with Brazilian legislation 

• Provide regular and appropriate reports to parents on academic and social development 

• Ensure that positive communication is maintained with parents through managing their direct concerns and overseeing reports, parent-teacher meetings, workshops, letters, parent portal and other less formal opportunities 

• Support the entry process for all new families who have applied for entry into the school and following the admissions policies laid down by the Board of Governors 

Management and leadership of staff and resources 

• Attending and contributing to the weekly meetings of the school leadership groups, representing the considerations that pertain to the Senior School and focusing on the strategic direction of the entire school. 

• Lead the SLT (Senior Leadership Team) and facilitate the leadership group dynamics, making the most of each member's experience and capabilities and nurturing a collaborative way of working. 

• Chairing the weekly SLT meetings – ensuing that agendas are focused and appropriate to the strategic priorities of the Senior School; checking minutes of these meetings and ensuring that the action log is kept up to date. 

• Ensure the efficient management of available resources and budget 

• Be responsible for the organisation and delivery of Senior School specific events such as shows, concerts, workshops, sports galas, etc. and oversee the school calendar 

• Support the recruitment of new staff in the Senior School and oversee their induction and mentoring. 

• Manage and ensure the implementation of staff performance review and development. 

Any other tasks that may, from time to time, be required by the Head. 

The Head of Senior School will teach a reduced timetable. 

Start date is expected to be in August 2026.

About St. Paul’s School:

St. Paul’s was founded in 1926 and was the first school in South America to receive accreditation from the UK government as a British School Overseas. Fully coeducational, with about 1,100 pupils, aged from 3 to 18, it is a school with history and tradition, but which embraces innovation, contemporary values and the latest in digital learning. We are a world-class school, and an international member of HMC and IAPS, and a member of COBIS and the LAHC. We are proud of our local, national and international reputation and we constantly strive to improve the opportunities for our pupils and staff. Our recent BSO inspection judged us as a leading British School overseas, and you can download the report from our website. Our exceptional facilities place teaching and learning at the heart of the school.

Click below to watch a video of the school:

More details about the school can be found at www.stpauls.br.

Our Benefits

For expatriate staff the package is a two-year (renewable) contract that includes: housing allowance; furnishing allowance; grocery allowance; return flights (at the start and end of each contract); luggage allowances (outbound and return); visa expenses covered; opt-in private pension scheme; high-interest savings scheme, healthcare and dental plan, on-site lunches, and a UK-sterling salary allowance.

For local staff the package includes: healthcare and dental plans, opt-in private pension scheme, on-site lunches, food card, transportation tickets.

Living in Brazil and in São Paulo city

“It only took a matter of months for me to fall in love with Brazil: the warmth of its people; their optimism and zest for life; their willingness to help strangers and their ever-readiness for a party! This, against a backdrop of stunning natural beauty, incredible wildlife and some of the best beaches I have ever seen make Brazil an unrivalled country to call home away from home. More locally, São Paulo is an elating metropolis to live in: I love how diverse it is demographically; how green and leafy it is; the excellent arts and culture options; the food offering is second-to-none and the nightlife is awesome. In all, São Paulo (and Brazil) are the best places to live if you value good people, fun, quality of life and heady adventure.” - Mr Jonathan Tarrant, Second in the English Department in Senior School.

Safeguarding

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The offer of the role would be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification checks and other safeguarding checks (including Internet and Social Media profiles and exposure), an overseas check if appropriate and a pre-placement medical assessment. Proof of entitlement to work in Brazil is also required where necessary.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

St Paul’s is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We recognise the value of diverse environments and strive to promote a culture in which all pupils, staff and members of the school community are welcomed and supported to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background or personal characteristics. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair treatment, embarrassment, discrimination, bullying and harassment.

• Articulate and creative with excellent communication and interpersonal skills; 

• Flexible in attitude and approach, able to work at a strategic level and in a hands-on capacity; 

• Educated to graduate level and professional in outlook and conduct; 

• Ambitious and innovative with a strategic outlook and the ability to manage and prioritise workstreams; 

• Able to keep calm and retain a sense of humour, especially in a tight spot; 

• Approachable to both parents and pupils; 

• Resilient, cheerful and well-organised; 

• Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines; 

• Possesses an excellent level of attention to detail and precision; 

• Competent with technology as a management, teaching and learning tool; 

• An understanding of budgeting principles and restraints; 

• Experience of appropriate inspection frameworks including regulatory standards (e.g. BSO, ISI, Ofsted); 

• Ability to work effectively with others in small teams, liaising effectively with staff, parents, pupils, governors and others; 

• A bilingual English/Portuguese speaker would be preferred but is not essential.