Head of Primary

Head of Primary

August 2027 Start | Kinabalu International School, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Kinabalu International School (KIS) is seeking an exceptional, ambitious and values-driven Head of Primary to lead our Primary School from August 2027.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and inspirational educational leader to join a successful, forward-thinking international school at an important stage in its development.

We are looking for more than an effective administrator or an experienced classroom practitioner. We want an outstanding educational leader who is passionate about primary education, ambitious for every child, deeply committed to the development of teachers and excited by the opportunity to shape the next chapter of our school's journey.

At KIS, we believe that excellent schools are built on excellent relationships, inspirational teaching, high expectations and a genuine understanding of every child as an individual.

Our next Head of Primary will be someone who leads by example, inspires confidence, brings people together and creates an environment in which students and staff alike feel supported, challenged and empowered to succeed.

We are seeking a leader who combines a clear educational vision with the warmth, integrity, humility and determination needed to turn that vision into reality .

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) , the Head of Primary will play an important role in shaping the strategic direction and continued development of Kinabalu International School.

Working closely with the Principal, Head of Secondary, Head of Operations and Board of Governors , the successful candidate will contribute to whole-school strategic planning, educational improvement and the continued development of a positive, ambitious and collaborative school culture.

The Head of Primary will have overall responsibility for the educational leadership, management and development of the Primary School, ensuring consistently high standards of teaching, learning, student wellbeing and pastoral care.

Central to this responsibility will be the leadership and development of the Primary Leadership Team (PLT) , comprising:

• Assistant Head of Primary – Teaching & Learning

• Assistant Head of Primary – Wellbeing

• Head of Early Years

Through this team, the Head of Primary will provide clear strategic direction, develop leadership capacity, ensure accountability and foster a culture of professional trust, collaboration and continuous improvement.

We are seeking a leader who understands that successful leadership is not simply about setting direction, but about empowering others, building effective teams and creating the conditions in which both students and staff can flourish .

The leader we are looking for

The successful candidate will be an accomplished primary educator with a strong track record of successful leadership, excellent knowledge of teaching and learning, and a genuine passion for the education and wellbeing of children.

We are particularly interested in leaders who:

• Are exceptional educational practitioners , with a deep understanding of what constitutes excellent teaching and learning across the primary age range.

• Have successful experience in primary school leadership, ideally within an international school or a school following the English National Curriculum.

• Demonstrate a clear and ambitious vision for primary education, underpinned by research-informed practice and a commitment to continuous improvement.

• Have a strong understanding of curriculum design, implementation and evaluation , including the development of coherent, engaging and appropriately challenging learning experiences.

• Understand the importance of strong foundations in the Early Years and the progression of learning throughout Key Stages 1 and 2.

• Can lead the development of consistently excellent teaching through coaching, mentoring, professional dialogue and meaningful staff development .

• Have experience leading and developing successful teams, empowering middle leaders and building leadership capacity across a school.

• Set and sustain high expectations for academic achievement, student progress, behaviour and personal development.

• Use assessment and school performance information intelligently to identify priorities, support students and drive improvement.

• Are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background or ability, receives the support, challenge and opportunities needed to thrive.

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of safeguarding, student wellbeing, inclusion and pastoral care , recognising these as fundamental responsibilities of school leadership.

• Are confident, compassionate and effective in managing staff, supporting professional growth and addressing challenges constructively.

• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusting, positive and productive relationships with students, staff and parents.

• Understand the importance of working collaboratively across a whole-school leadership team, contributing to shared priorities beyond their own section.

• Are reflective, open-minded and willing to challenge established practices thoughtfully in pursuit of better outcomes for students.

• Have the organisational skills, attention to detail and strategic thinking needed to balance the operational demands of school leadership with longer-term educational development.

• Are enthusiastic about contributing to the wider life of the school, including enrichment, student leadership, community engagement and co-curricular opportunities.

• Bring energy, optimism, professionalism, resilience and a genuine sense of purpose to their leadership.

Above all, we want someone who genuinely enjoys working with children and teachers.

Our Head of Primary should be a visible, approachable and inspirational presence throughout the school: someone who knows students by name, celebrates their successes, understands their challenges and never loses sight of the fact that the most important work in any school takes place in its classrooms.

We are looking for a leader who can maintain and strengthen the positive culture already established within our Primary School, while bringing fresh perspectives, thoughtful innovation and the determination to continually improve.

Applicants must hold a recognised teaching qualification and demonstrate substantial successful experience in primary education, including significant leadership responsibility. Experience of the English National Curriculum and leadership within an international school setting would be highly advantageous.

Excellent spoken and written English skills are essential.

The opportunity

KIS has experienced a sustained period of positive development, with continued investment in teaching and learning, curriculum development, student wellbeing, leadership structures and campus facilities.

Our Primary School plays a central role in this journey.

The successful candidate will inherit a committed and talented team of educators, a supportive parent community and an established culture of care, collaboration and high expectations.

Working as part of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Primary will have considerable scope to shape educational priorities, develop leadership capacity and build upon the strong foundations already in place .

Key areas of leadership will include:

• Strategic and whole-school leadership: Contributing actively to whole-school strategic planning, school improvement and organisational development alongside the Principal, Head of Secondary, Head of Operations and Board of Governors.

• Primary Leadership Team development: Leading, supporting and developing the Assistant Heads of Primary and Head of Early Years, ensuring clear responsibilities, effective collaboration, shared accountability and strong leadership capacity.

• Educational excellence: Ensuring consistently high standards of teaching, learning, assessment and student achievement across Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

• Curriculum development: Continuing to refine and strengthen a coherent, ambitious and engaging curriculum that develops knowledge, skills, independence and a genuine love of learning.

• Staff leadership and professional development: Building a strong professional culture in which teachers are trusted, supported, challenged and encouraged to continually improve through coaching, mentoring and professional learning.

• Student wellbeing, safeguarding and inclusion: Working closely with the Assistant Head of Primary – Wellbeing and wider safeguarding team to ensure every child feels safe, valued, understood and supported academically, socially and emotionally.

• Strategic school improvement: Identifying priorities, implementing meaningful and sustainable improvements, and evaluating their impact with clarity and purpose.

• Community relationships: Developing positive partnerships with parents and maintaining the open, approachable and collaborative culture that characterises KIS.

• Operational leadership: Ensuring the effective day-to-day management of the Primary School, including staffing, communication, policies, procedures and the smooth delivery of its educational programme.

• Whole-school collaboration: Working constructively with Secondary and Operations colleagues to ensure coherence, consistency and a shared commitment to the success of the entire school.

We recognise that the most successful school leaders do not work in isolation. They build excellent teams, develop the capabilities of others and create a shared sense of direction and purpose.

We want a Head of Primary who will lead with clarity and conviction, while remaining approachable, reflective and open to the ideas and perspectives of others .

This is a genuine opportunity to make a lasting contribution to a school where good ideas are welcomed, leadership is collaborative and decisions are guided by what is best for students.

The KIS Way

Our approach to education, leadership and working together is shaped by the KIS Way .

We want our students and our staff to be Curious, Collaborative, Reflective, Creative, Courageous and Respectful .

These are not simply words displayed around our school. They describe the culture we are continuing to build: one in which people ask questions, share ideas, learn from experience, take sensible risks, support one another and treat others with kindness and respect.

For our next Head of Primary, these values must be central to their approach to leadership.

We want a leader who is curious about educational research and effective practice, collaborative in their relationships, reflective about their decisions, creative in solving problems, courageous when difficult decisions are required and consistently respectful in the way they work with others.

We believe that how we lead matters just as much as what we achieve.

Our next Head of Primary will be expected to model these values, champion them across the Primary School and help embed them in the everyday experiences of students, staff and families.

Why KIS?

Kinabalu International School is a not-for-profit, parent-owned international school located in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on the island of Borneo.

For more than 50 years, KIS has built an excellent reputation for providing high-quality international education within a friendly, supportive and genuinely diverse community.

We educate approximately 470 students aged 3–18 from more than 30 nationalities , following the English National Curriculum and Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level programmes.

KIS is:

• A CIS-accredited school , committed to internationally recognised standards of educational quality and continuous school improvement.

• A founding member of FOBISIA , established in 1988, and an active participant in the organisation today.

• An active member of the Association of International Malaysian Schools (AIMS) .

• Committed to environmental education and sustainability, including our ongoing work through the Eco-Schools programme .

• A school that places significant importance on student wellbeing, safeguarding, inclusion and the development of the whole child .

As a parent-owned, not-for-profit school, our priorities are firmly centred on our students, our staff and the continued development of our educational provision.

Our relatively small size is one of our greatest strengths. It allows us to know our students and families exceptionally well, maintain close professional relationships and create a genuinely collaborative working environment.

Our students are motivated, hardworking and enjoyable to teach. Alongside a rigorous academic programme, students participate in an extensive range of sporting, performing arts, service, leadership and co-curricular opportunities.

Our campus is also undergoing significant development through our ongoing Vision 28 programme , reflecting our commitment to continually improving the facilities and opportunities available to our students.

Beyond the school gates, Kota Kinabalu offers an exceptional quality of life, combining the conveniences of a vibrant coastal city with access to some of the world's most extraordinary natural environments.

From tropical islands and rainforests to Mount Kinabalu and the remarkable biodiversity of Borneo, Sabah offers an outstanding environment in which to live, work and explore.

For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to combine meaningful educational leadership with an exceptional international lifestyle .

Further information about KIS can be found on our school website.

Contract

The successful candidate will be offered an initial two-year contract , with opportunities for subsequent renewal through one- or two-year contracts.

An appropriate remuneration and benefits package will be provided, reflecting the responsibilities and seniority of the position.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted by email to View email address on tes.com and should include:

• A letter of application of no more than two pages , outlining your suitability for the position, educational leadership experience and vision for leading the Primary School at KIS.

• A curriculum vitae of no more than two pages .

• Contact details for at least three professional referees , one of whom must be your current Head of School or equivalent.

Application deadline: [Insert closing date]

Early applications are strongly encouraged. KIS reserves the right to interview and appoint an exceptional candidate before the published closing date.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Safeguarding

Kinabalu International School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

All applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate child-protection screening, including checks with previous employers and relevant criminal-record authorities, including the Disclosure and Barring Service where applicable.

Safeguarding questions will form part of the recruitment and interview process.