Head of School (Principal)

GREENWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL, LAGOS, NIGERIA

Search for new HEAD OF SCHOOL (PRINCIPAL)
 – from August 2015

Greenwood House School is seeking a new Head for the school, to start in August 2015, and has asked Search Associates to help in the search.

A. THE SCHOOL

Greenwood House School is an independent Nursery and Primary School located in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.      It runs classes from playgroup to primary six and accepts children between the ages of two to 10 years irrespective of their cultural and religious backgrounds.    The curriculum combines the best of the UK curriculum and the Nigerian curriculum.    There are currently 650 children in the school.

It is one of the top primary schools in Nigeria with an impressive record of academic success.  Greenwood House School students are consistently top performers in entrance examinations gaining admissions and yearly scholarships without fail into competitive secondary schools within and outside Nigeria.

The school was founded in 1995 by Mrs M. Iyabo Durand, the current Principal, and Mrs T. Ekuah Abudu, the current Administrator of the school.     Since that time numbers have grown steadily, and since September 2001 the school has been housed in a purpose-built building on an attractive site in Parkview Estate.     The facilities include spacious air-conditioned classrooms with interactive whiteboards, a modern and well-equipped science laboratory, a modern computer suite, 2 music rooms, an art room, a library, a sickbay (with ambulance service for emergencies), a swimming pool and large playing fields.      There is also a separate Administrative section, and a school shop.

The school prides itself on creating a close, secure and happy environment, with a strong sense of community, stability and tradition.   One indication of this is the large number of old students who return for various school events long after they have graduated.     Another is very low staff turnover.

Greenwood prides itself on its motivational teaching style, which combines traditional methods with the use of new technologies.    All pupils are given homework and parents are encouraged to take an active part in their child’s learning.     The school runs regular open days for parents, at which they can meet staff and discuss their children’s progress and other school matters.    The school is known for nurturing positive attitudes, a strong work ethic and the discipline required to achieve and sustain excellence in all activities.    As a result of this approach, GHS students have not only excelled academically but have gone on to become great ambassadors of the school and upwardly mobile members of the societies they find themselves in.

Greenwood is also proud of its diverse extra-curricular programme, including creative writing, chess, ballet, contemporary dance, tennis, swimming, football, art and crafts, taekwondo, gymnastics, mad science, drama, etiquette, robotics, Red Cross, Boys Scouts, Brownie, 3 Nigerian languages and music.     Pupils participate successfully in music and sports competitions with other schools.    Most notably, Greenwood has won music competitions organized by the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) in several consecutive years, and its football team is one of the strongest among primary schools in Lagos.        The GHS community is also very aware of the plight of those less privileged in the local community and is engaged in a number of charitable causes.

For further information about GHS please see the school website www.greenwoodhouseschool.com.

B. THE HEAD – ROLE AND SPECIFICATIONS

Though some international experience (especially in Africa) may be an asset, the school is looking for a Head who has spent most of his or her teaching career in the UK or Ireland, including a track record of successful leadership (for at least five years) in a primary or primary/secondary school.    

The successful candidate will have good academic and professional qualifications and, since GHS is a Christian school, will be firmly and genuinely in sympathy with Christian values.      He or she will also need to be in sympathy with the school’s combination of traditional values and discipline with a forward-looking and innovative approach to education, and have the qualities and experience to be able to be an effective and inspiring mentor for the staff.   

Other qualities required are adaptability, intercultural awareness and tolerance, and a strong work ethic.

A married couple would be a great asset if the spouse is qualified to teach English at the school.

C. REMUNERATION

The successful candidate will be offered an attractive employment package commensurate with his/her experience and skills.

Benefits will include a competitive salary (paid mostly in pounds sterling), good-quality fully furnished accommodation in a modern, secure facility, vehicle and driver, full international BUPA medical cover, economy class flights to and from home country twice a year, and free membership of a social club or gym.

D. APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Suitably qualified candidates should send to David Cope of Search Associates – all items together in one pdf as an email attachment (to arrive as soon as possible, and absolutely no later than 10 April 2015)

• a letter of application (no more than one page), briefly outlining why the candidate wishes to apply for this position and what specific skills, qualities and experience he/she can offer the school
• a CV (no more than two pages)
• a statement of educational and leadership philosophy (no more than one page)
• the names and full contact details (including current email addresses) of four (or more) professional referees
• a good recent head-and-shoulders photo

E-mail: dcope@searchassociates.com  

First-round interviews are likely to take place in mid-April 2015, with the final round in Lagos later in the month.     However, the school reserves the option to invite selected candidates to interviews in advance of this schedule.