School Support Officer

Role aim
A one year secondment for 1 days/week for the 2025/6 academic year. The post will be for someone with considerable leadership experience in an IB (International Baccalaureate) World School in the UK, with a remit to support all IBSCA member schools:

1. Embed and grow IB cohorts in IBSCA member schools
2. Advise on aspects of IB programme development
3. Work alongside senior leaders and IB coordinators in IBSCA member schools through sharing school experiences, and school-to-school support.

The aim of the role is based on the premise of school-to-school support and sharing good practice between IBSCA member schools. This is not an IB role, and the post-holder does not speak on behalf of the IB as an organisation. The post is anticipated to be equivalent to an Assistant Headteacher role, to be offered as a part-time, fixed-term secondment. It is recognised that someone seconded from school will be able to offer ‘live’ and current and practical school experience.

Job role
• Support and advise the IBSCA CEO and Steering Group on all matters impacting IB schools in the UK
• Support all UK-based IB World Schools (including those in the state and independent sector and sixth form colleges) through the sharing of good practice and effective IB programme delivery.
• To support and advise IB schools in growing the size of their cohorts and ensuring that cohort sizes are sustainable
• Play a leading part in the development of IBSCA marketing materials to promote expansion of IB programmes in existing schools.
• To support IBSCA member schools at open evenings and events, or to facilitate schools in identifying appropriate speakers for marketing and promotional events through the IBSCA membership network.
• Speaking at IBSCA conferences, workshops and events to share good practice and provide support to schools and delegates.
• Support the IBSCA CEO in building a network of IB alumni in the UK.
• Represent IBSCA member schools at appropriate meetings, conference and committees.
• Represent IBSCA schools on the national education stage.

Knowledge and experience
• Experience of a leadership role in an IB World School, an outstanding subject teacher and, ideally, IB coordinator.
• Reasonable working knowledge of all 4 IB programmes, their Standards and Practices, and associated authorisation and evaluation processes (or a willingness to gain this), whilst recognising that this is an IBSCA school-support role, and not an IBEN role.
• An interest in IB pedagogy and IB programme developments
• Up-to-date knowledge of education policy in the UK as this affects schools and colleges.
• Understanding of the challenges facing state and independent schools in England.