The Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity for an energetic, visionary and experienced school leader to:

• Establish and lead a new international school from the ground up
• Shape the school’s ethos, culture and long-term strategy
• Embed outdoor learning and environmental stewardship at the heart of education
• Build a strong team of educators committed to excellence and innovation
• Create a school community that families trust and value

The Founding Headteacher will work closely with the School Director, Management Board and Parents Association to refine the school’s vision and ensure its successful launch and sustainable growth.

The Role

The Founding Headteacher will provide strategic, operational and educational leadership during the school’s establishment and early years of development.

Strategic Leadership

• Articulate and embed a clear vision centred on outdoor learning, environmental responsibility and community
• Establish a positive, aspirational and inclusive school culture
• Lead strategic planning and school improvement

School Establishment & Operations

• Oversee opening, including systems, staffing, policies and procedures
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, safeguarding and health and safety requirements
• Manage the school’s initial budget effectively and sustainably
• Identify and mitigate operational risks

Curriculum & Teaching

• Design and implement a high-quality curriculum aligned with the English National Curriculum and forest-based approaches
• Establish structured, coherent and age-appropriate timetables
• Lead the school’s approach to reading and early literacy
• Implement valid and age-appropriate assessment systems
• Model outstanding teaching practice through a timetabled teaching commitment

Staff Development & Recruitment

• Line manage an initial team of four staff, recruit and develop the team as it grows over time
• Establish a culture of professionalism, collaboration and high expectations, aligned to international standards
• Implement performance management systems
• Conduct regular formal observations of teaching staff and provide feedback

Safeguarding & Pupil Welfare

• Lead safeguarding across the school, ensuring robust systems and consistent implementation
• Promote a culture of care, wellbeing and positive behaviour
• Ensure fair and consistent behaviour systems aligned with school values

Community & Growth

• Build strong, positive relationships with families
• Represent and promote the school within the local and international community
• Support growth of pupil numbers and long term sustainability of the school

What We Offer

• The opportunity to shape a new learning institution
• A leadership role with genuine influence and autonomy
• Professional growth through founding leadership experience
• A collaborative and supportive school community
• A unique 25-acre natural environment that enables innovative educational practice

Person Specification

We are seeking a leader who:

• Is deeply committed to outdoor and play-based learning
• Inspires children, staff and families
• Upholds the highest standards of ethics, integrity and professionalism
• Builds respectful, trusting relationships
• Demonstrates creativity, innovation and strategic thinking
• Maintains a relentless focus on achieving the best outcomes for all learners

Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• Qualified Teacher Status
• Degree (postgraduate qualification desirable)
• Minimum 5 years’ teaching experience
• Minimum 2 years’ leadership experience (Headteacher, Head of Year, or similar)
• Demonstrable success in school improvement
• Proven experience of staff line management and professional development
• Strong understanding of high-quality teaching and curriculum design
• Good understanding of school finance and budget management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience in English Curriculum delivery and/or international education

Desirable:

• Knowledge of outdoor learning, forest school approaches and/or Montessori
• Eligibility to work in Kenya (if not currently eligible a work permit may be applied for to facilitate this)
• Full DBS check within the last 5 years

Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment

Gede Forest School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undergo enhanced safeguarding and background checks.

• Articulate and embed a clear vision centred on outdoor learning, environmental responsibility and community
• Establish a positive, aspirational and inclusive school culture
• Lead strategic planning and school improvement
• Oversee opening, including systems, staffing, policies and procedures
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, safeguarding and health and safety requirements
• Manage the school’s initial budget effectively and sustainably
• Identify and mitigate operational risks
• Design and implement a high-quality curriculum aligned with the English National Curriculum and forest-based approaches
• Establish structured, coherent and age-appropriate timetables
• Lead the school’s approach to reading and early literacy
• Implement valid and age-appropriate assessment systems
• Model outstanding teaching practice through a timetabled teaching commitment
• Line manage an initial team of four staff, recruit and develop the team as it grows over time
• Establish a culture of professionalism, collaboration and high expectations, aligned to international standards
• Implement performance management systems
• Conduct regular formal observations of teaching staff and provide feedback
• Lead safeguarding across the school, ensuring robust systems and consistent implementation
• Promote a culture of care, wellbeing and positive behaviour
• Ensure fair and consistent behaviour systems aligned with school values
• Build strong, positive relationships with families
• Represent and promote the school within the local and international community
• Support growth of pupil numbers and long term sustainability of the school

• Strong understanding of high-quality teaching and curriculum design
• Good understanding of school finance and budget management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrates creativity, innovation and strategic thinking

• Qualified Teacher Status
• Degree (postgraduate qualification desirable)
• Minimum 5 years’ teaching experience
• Minimum 2 years’ leadership experience (Headteacher, Head of Year, or similar)
• Demonstrable success in school improvement
• Proven experience of staff line management and professional development
• Experience in English Curriculum delivery and/or international education
• Knowledge of outdoor learning, forest school approaches and/or Montessori
• Eligibility to work in Kenya (if not currently eligible a work permit may be applied for to facilitate this)
• Full DBS check within the last 5 years