Head of Grade 11, Senior School

Head of Grade 11, Senior School

October 2026 - December 2027

1.0 FTE Fixed-term Role

Collectively, there are five individuals identified as 'Head of Grade' (HoG). In collaboration with the Assistant Directors, each Head of Grade develops and refines the scope and sequence of the Ivy Compass program (north quadrant) for all grades. Within a grade, the Head of Grade supports and provides direction to grade-specific advisors to ensure a relatively consistent learning experience in advisory while monitoring the general tone and well-being of the students in the grade as a whole. The Head of Grade is seen as a 'go-to' person for the interests and needs of the grade and someone who will support students and families within low-level interventions. They are also best placed to direct students to the more specific support networks within the school. These individuals will be seen as leaders in the Senior School and, in that capacity, demonstrate a willingness to 'step up' when leadership is required.

Heads of Grade are the knowledge center for the needs and interests of a specific grade and remain at the same grade level as the grade cohort moves ahead in order to evaluate and continue to develop a grade-specific program. In this manner, Heads of Grade are able to provide guidance through their experience and knowledge to Advisors as they move into a new grade each year.

Heads of Grade timetables include the equivalent of 2 teaching sections = 0.4FTE for this role. They are also supported with professional development opportunities specific to developing their knowledge and skills in this area. During this time, Heads of Grade are available to the group to plan and coordinate learning, meet with students, and to support each other in being successful in this role. HoG's will be responsible for carrying out co-curricular responsibilities in addition to this role.

This is a short-term opportunity to cover a maternity leave. The remaining 0.6FTE will be determined based on the teachables of the successful candidate and the operational needs of the School.

The Individual

As Head of Grade, you are an experienced, knowledgeable and qualified teacher who has a passion for a specific age and stage of female development. You understand girls and the personal challenges they face as they navigate their curricular, co-curricular and personal life. You seek professional development related to pastoral care, student support, and leadership. Working collaboratively with other teachers who are in the Head of Grade role, you contribute to the development of a robust and thoughtful Advisory program. You are a mentor to the Advisors in a specific grade, building their capacity to be effective and consistent in delivering the Advisory program. Teachers and students will find you to be approachable, available, knowledgeable, genuine and supportive. You are energized by what you do. You demonstrate an understanding of the importance of parents as partners in their daughter's education and are proactive in either contacting parents or supporting the Advisors in your grade to maintain timely and effective communication with parents.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities:

Pastoral Leadership:

• Work in partnership with colleagues, counsellors, administration, and parents in fulfilling the school's strategic plan
• Work collaboratively with all Heads of Grade and administration to continually build and enhance the Senior School advisory program
• Leading the team of advisors in their grade, meeting with them regularly and supporting and mentoring them in their role
• Overseeing the pastoral care of students in their grade. This includes analysing trends through the online information system and contributing as required to the annual report on welfare and wellbeing
• Overseeing grade attendance and punctuality, academic progress and low-level discipline matters, working closely with advisors to address any emerging concerns through appropriate interventions
• Being accessible to all students and providing support to individual students with academics and with behavioural, family, or social challenges as appropriate
• Being accessible to parents by telephone, email or appointments as appropriate
• Gathering information on students where relevant, subject to confidentiality, to ensure that information pertinent to their welfare and necessary to the school's relationship with families is known to the members of staff who need to know
• Leading individual meetings with both parents and students as needed and in partnership with the advisor or other appropriate member of the pastoral team
• Contributing to the team-based approach to pastoral care by working closely and meeting regularly with Advisors, Pastoral Care Coordinator, Assistant Director, Learning Strategist and Personal Counsellors to support the needs of students in their grade
• Work in collaboration with the Director and Assistant Directors on grade-wide issues such as discipline, attendance, engagement and attend regular meetings
• Keeping appropriate records of all meetings with parents, students and staff through actively utilising and supporting the use of CPOMS
• Developing support strategies for individuals upon 'return' from disciplinary infractions.
• Practising and modeling the Restorative Justice philosophy in pastoral care and programming
• Supporting students who join 'out-of-year' admissions or who need late entry support, working closely with Admissions (in collaboration with New Teacher Student Liaison).
• Monitoring, reviewing and editing reports (Jan & June), including Advisor's Comments and Student's Self Reflections for their grade
• Providing course selection support to ensure all students have appropriate courses for the upcoming year
• Lead and facilitate the HoG Presentation at Curriculum Night, Parent Course Selection & Planning Evening and an additional presentation for parents given the trends and patterns within the grade (approximately 3)
• Leading in the relevant section of the TPGP process for their respective advisors through mentorship and coaching
• Modelling, fostering and facilitating professional development within the team of Advisors
• Leading grade-wide assemblies
• Coordinating student value recognition/awards as relevant for their grade

Advisory Programme:

• Leading the development and evaluation of the grade specific advisory programme scope and sequence in collaboration with the Coordinators (Pastoral Care, Ivy and Learning Strategies)
• Working with the Coordinator, Student Well-being & SEL to develop and lead grade specific parent information sessions on a regular basis
• Participating and supporting the IVY programming in Outdoor Education Excursions for their grade
• Organize, prepare, chair and document meetings of your grade advisor team
• Provide mentorship, training, and support to your grade level advisors
• Seeking student feedback on advisory programming and developing opportunities for student leadership within advisory planning and delivery
• Overseeing and ensuring consistent quality in the delivery of the advisory program
• Be responsible for the day to day oversight of your respective grade level including responsibilities such as start of year retreat/grade wide bonding event, grade assemblies, social events, the grade OE trip, service, leadership, and other program opportunities
• Ensuring that advisory team members are supported and informed while ensuring any team feedback is gathered and communicated to the Asst Director
• 'Hold the file' on the advisory program for your grade and provide the grade-specific advisors with the materials and direction they need to deliver an grade-specific advisory programing that is consistent, effective, timely and age-appropriate
• Demonstrate a commitment for this work through constant reflection and improvement
• Have a working knowledge of IT software which, depending on grade, includes Naviance, and CPOMS, Google Suite for Education (training can be provided as required)
• Other duties assigned as required

Qualifications:

• Teaching experience with the relevant grade
• Current understanding of female adolescent development
• Knowledge of executive function / self-regulation skills, an asset
• Experience developing curricular 'scope and sequence', an asset
• Experience leading a school-based initiative or co-curricular program
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational communication, problem-solving, negotiation and mediation skills
• Experience with CPOM (training will be provided)
• Experience with restorative practices (training will be provided)
• An understanding of the need for confidentiality when supporting students / families with personal challenges
• A demonstrated commitment toward continued professional development and growth
• Energy, commitment and a readiness to participate in the diverse life of the school community

Employment and Application Details:

This role is scheduled to start ASAP.

Annual Compensation: $69,541 - $123,242 + stipend (pro-rated based on contract dates and FTE).

Please note that applicants must be able to legally work in Canada and hold a valid BC Teaching Certificate.

Please include the following with your application:

• A cover letter and current resume that outlines exact dates of employment, the organization, job title and responsibilities. If you have gaps in your employment history, please advise as to why.
• Please clearly identify your educational background and history of professional development related to this position.

Apply online at www.croftonhouse.ca/careers.

We thank all candidates in advance. We will, however, contact only those selected for an interview. No phone calls, please.