Dean of Academics, Secondary School (Ormonde)
Dean of Academics, Secondary School (Ormonde)
- Full Time
- 2026 School and Instructional Leadership (South Africa)
- Experienced
We are looking for an outstanding Dean of Academics at our Ormonde Secondary! The role of Dean of Academics is primarily an administrative one, with the key responsibility of ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the school’s academic programme.
The Dean of Academics collaborates with the school leader for Academic Affairs to manage curriculum and instruction, thereby fulfilling the Nova Pioneer’s educational objectives. The Dean of Academics is the primary point of contact for all educational staff, students, and parents about their specific program. The Dean of Academics establishes a professional tone for the program and serves as a positive role model for both faculty and students.
ABOUT NOVA PIONEER
Imagine a world in which every young person across Africa attends a school that truly sets them up for success in the 21st century. A school that cares about individual students and allows them to explore the world around them. A school that focuses more on developing skills than on memorising content. At Nova Pioneer, we have done more than just imagine this future we are bringing it to life. Nova Pioneer is a pan-African, independent network of schools offering high quality, accessible education from pre-primary through secondary school. Nova Pioneer uses a unique, enquiry-based learning approach that encourages students to ask “why” instead of telling them the “what”. It allows them to form their own thinking through exploration, investigation and collaboration. Nova Pioneer currently has 16 schools in South Africa and Kenya with a vision to launch 100 schools and reach tens of thousands of students across the African continent in the next decade. To learn more visit .
ABOUT THE ROLE
The key functions of the Dean of Academics can be categorised as follows :
Year planningDay-to-day administrative functionsSupporting the Deans of Instruction and StudentsCambridge examinations officerStudent academic supportRecruitmentTeaching / staff supportTHE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN EACH FUNCTION ARE GENERALLY AS FOLLOWS :
Year planning
Formulating the year´s academic calendarSetting up the google assessment calendarAssisting with building the timetableAssist with staff allocation in the timetableAssisting with building and running the PD programme for the start of the year and termsCreate academic support programme with input of teachers / HODsDay-to-day administration
Ensuring smooth running of the timetableSetting and ensuring adherence to important academic deadlinesManaging Ed-admin markbooks and reporting in conjunction with the Dean of OperationsLeading staff on report compilation and ensuring quality controlin conjunction with the Dean of Instruction, supporting HODs and lead teachers in running their teams, ensuring quality control in all aspects of teaching and learning, and hosting bi-monthly HOD meetingsCreating internal exam and invigilation timetables, and monitoring of all internal exam processes and proceduresAdministering the subject-choice process for Grade 8s and AS / A level students in conjunction with the school leader and the post-school success managerAddress staffing issues around classroom instruction / professionalism etc.Putting accountability measures in place to support staff in delivering on teaching and learningCreating and updating academic policies for the senior schoolSupporting the Deans of Instruction and Students
Manage a team of teachers, looking after their welfare, conducting observations and feedback sessionsParticipate in whole school observational walkthroughsConduct results analysis sessions with staffRun PD sessions when requiredHelp the Dean of Students with managing discipline and conducting disciplinary enquiries e.g. drug-testingCambridge examinations officer (All year round as we do 2 sitings per year)
Ensure implementation of the Cambridge curriculum across all subjectsEnsure exam entries are completed on timeBuilding the exam and invigilation timetablePreparing exam venues and candidate cardsCommunicating all necessary exam information to candidates and parentsLiaising with the science team to ensure practical exams run smoothlyTraining invigilators according to Cambridge standardsRunning Cambridge exams strictly according to Cambridge regulationsLiaising with any Cambridge inspectors that may arrive to conduct observationsProcessing any concession candidates by the required deadlineChief invigilatorSetting up a student results portal and communicating results logins to candidatesEnsure smooth receiving, storing and distributing Cambridge results certificates to studentsReceiving, analysing and distributing results to teachersRegistering staff for Cambridge training and following up on completion thereofPrivate candidates (All year round as we do 2 sittings per year)
Updating website at beginning of the year- send requests to marketingFielding information requests on private candidate exams (Customer service!)Monitoring entry form sheet in order to track and register private candidatesLiaising with candidates in the system to provide provisional entry statements, and following up on and making corrections.Collecting and storing candidate agreement formsLiaising on payment, tracking and following up on payment before stipulated deadlinesCommunicating finalised statements of entry, exam TT and procedures to candidates once full payment is received.Arranging pre-exam campus visits for candidates, and conducting campus visitsSetting up student results portal and communicating results logins to candidatesStudent academic support
Provide subject-choice counsellingSupport students in arranging academic support with teachersAddress concerns raised by students around classroom instructionHelp students analyse results and their implications for graduation pathwaysSupport the student academic portfolio leader in formulating and implementing student support plansLiaise with the school counsellor on support measures for students with specific academic challengesProvide transcripts and letters of reference for students applying to tertiary institutionsAcademic data analysis in conjunction with School Leader and Dean of Instruction to formulate and implement interventions to improve academic performanceRecruitment
Assisting the Head of School and Talent to draft job advertisementsScreening and shortlisting CVsConducting phone screeningConducting in person interviews and assessments of candidatesLiaising with Talent if a suitable candidate has been foundProviding high school specific onboarding to new teachersDrafting and sending out school-wide communications to parents on important academic issuesFacilitating parent meetings with teachersMeetings parents to discuss deep academic concerns with specific studentsScheduling and conducting results analysis meetings with parents after the release of Cambridge results, and providing advice on graduation pathways and subject-choicesAddressing parent concerns around instructional issuesPresenting talks at parent evenings and open days on the schools academic programmeConducting campus toursABOUT YOU
Experience supervising othersKnowledge of curriculum, instructional methods / strategies, and curriculum differentiationKnowledge of child development, learning, and behaviourKnowledge of effective assessment methods, data management and interpretationYou have a minimum Bachelor’s Degree in education and are SACEcertifiedYou have at least 4years of experience in a rigorous, high-expectations school setting, including at least one instructional leadership role (e.g., department head, grade lead, teacher coach, deputy positionetc.)You are widely recognised as a highly effective teacher and can model what great, inquiry-based teaching looks likeYou have a track record of improving other people’s performance through coaching and building uncommonly strong relationshipsYou have an exceptional ability to think strategically, and yet you sweat the small stuff—people see you as unusually detail-oriented and conscientiousYou are driven by data and know how to use data from student assessments to strengthen and differentiate student learningYou are excited about our organisational culture—and in particular, you are fired up to challenge yourself by embracing mutual vulnerability and a firehose of feedbackYou have a desire to further develop your learning design skills and apply them to transform the lives of African youthNova Pioneer is a place where our people experience tremendous growth, fast! We invest heavily in the growth of our people because it leads to greater mastery in both us and our students. “Novaneers” work harder and work longer hours than at most schools but as a result, the growth they experience is extraordinary. Nova Pioneer has a highly energetic, entrepreneurial environment where our people get to bring their creative and innovative ideas to life. We look for people who are flexible and who are able to adapt and respond quickly to adversity with a positive, can-do attitude (there are no problems, only solutions!). We welcome challenges and roll with the punches because it makes us, and our students, better. There is no problem too big for us! We work hard but we also have a lot of fun together. We bring infectious energy and enthusiasm to everything we do because joy fuels the hardest work and learning. Read more about our culture principleshere .
Nova Pioneer, in line with thePOPIA(Protection of Personal Information Act) will attempt to ensure the confidentiality of all applicants for this role. All reasonable measurements will be in place to protect personal information but it will be used for recruitment and employment purposes. By submitting your application with Nova Pioneer, you are recognising and accepting this disclaimer.
Closing Date
31 / 12 / 2025
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