Secondary School: Assistant Principal

General

Job Start: 01 August 2026
Location: Könneritzstraße 47, 04229 Leipzig, Germany
Contract: full-time (40 hour per week), initially fixed-term for 2 years followed by the option of a subsequent employment contract with an infinite duration

In our secondary school about 470 students are learning and preparing for the Cambridge IGCSE and IBDP final exams. Our excellent academic results benchmarked against the International Schools' Assessment and the IGCSE and IB Diploma international examinations, are proof of the quality education we provide at Leipzig International School. The school is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools as well as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Your tasks and responsibilities

The Assistant Principal reports to the Secondary School Principal and is responsible for overseeing the how well of student learning, as well as performing the leading pastoral role in ensuring that learners' well-being is considered and supported throughout the Secondary School. They are also responsible for following up on student attendance, for following up on learning, behaviour and conduct issues as per the school policies and directives, and for overseeing the Pastoral curriculum, leading and managing the Form Tutors. The Assistant Principal plays a significant role in admissions, and is the person responsible for transitions into the Secondary School. Working with the Student Safety and Wellbeing Team, this Assistant Principal is a part of the student referral process, and line-manages the Learning Inclusion Coordination, and the Enrichment Coordination and the enrichment programme. In being responsible for both holistic and pastoral areas of student life, the Assistant Principal is a fully-equipped leader of learning. For this reason, this role is an extended management position. 
 
The Assistant Principal is a member of the Secondary Leadership Team (SLT) and Secondary Management Team (SMT) and works closely with the Secondary Principal, other involved in Enrichment Coordination, Whole School Coordination (Learning Inclusion Coordination, Student Safety and Wellbeing Coordination), Form Tutors, Director of Admissions and teaching staff. It is imperative that they develop a good relationship with parents, and meet systematically with the Parent Representatives of each section. 

Beside the outlined main tasks below, the Assistant Principal also provides teaching to students in order to (1) create a presence and approachability for learners, and (2) to maintain the direct experience in the teaching profession. 

Be accountable for the well-being of all learners in the school section 

Know all students as learners, leading in systems designed to monitor student attendance, endeavour and progress; Be the next level of escalation in systems of attendance, behaviour and engagement (after Area of Learning Leaders), to ensure there are suitable sanctions to ensure a productive learning environment for all students. Oversee the IB Coordinator doing this for G11-12; Being visible to learners and teachers from the start of school (i.e. intervening on issues before school), and being a model of attendance at all 2y school functions, events and meetings; Oversee attendance and implement regular interventions (including direct work with learners and meetings with parents) to ensure learners are in school and learning as much as possible; Respond in an effective, efficient and timely manner to concerns from parents, teachers and other stakeholders, liaising as appropriate with expert professionals, to ensure learners are suitably challenged and their well-being is effectively supported; Support the AP (Learning) in placing learners appropriately in their curricula programmes, including external programmes of Cambridge and IBO, and work with relevant staff members to ensure the schedule is effective, learners are successful, and interventions are timely; Manage associated events and correspondence associated with role – transition days, trial days for new learners – alongside relevant staff (Primary School; Secondary Office; Admissions Department); Work closely with the Student Wellbeing team to ensure that the Pastoral curriculum and the PSHE curriculum align and support each other in developing learners' understanding of their well-being; Attending to the learning environment around school (e.g. displays) and supporting the marketing of the school and the celebration of the learners internally and externally; Take leading role in organising events specific to the school section – for example, Graduation and IGCSE Celebrations for Upper School; concerts and enrichment activities for Middle School; class trips and excursions – and attending such events as a leader of the 2y School. Lead and manage teachers in team and Parent Representatives Responsible for line-managing Form Tutors, Learning Inclusion Leader, and the Enrichment Directors, all to promote a healthy, happy, broad & balanced school experience for learners; Lead teachers to improved performance through professional growth and learning procedures (Teaching & Learning Handbook). Understand that this involves climate, culture and morale, as much as leading the training of teachers as a subject and pedagogical expert. This may involve reinforcing school policies with teachers and leaders, and will require regular weekly classroom visits and feedback; Lead Form Tutors, especially regarding the Pastoral curriculum and their role in the learning and escalation procedures; Line-manage Enrichment Directors, ensuring that the enrichment programme is effective; Lead and manage the Parent Representative groups; Take a supporting role in the recruitment of new teachers' process. Set strategic direction of learning in school section Maintain a continuous Section Development Plan for strategic direction of team in terms of classroom learning, student endeavour, and particularly enrichment, ensuring that the school offers a broad and rich experience to learners; Plan strategically with regard to collaborative time alongside 2y Principal and the SLT; Lead the Pastoral Curriculum programme for Form Tutors in each section; Lead and support the school direction regarding student attendance and conduct.Your profileUniversity degree in Secondary Education or comparable education; Experience as a highly successful teacher of Secondary School students; Experience as a highly successful leader of people (in a school context) preferable; Master's degree or equivalent in Educational Leadership desirable; Structured and self-dependent working style; The ability to challenge situations and a passionate desire to ensure that the learners gain optimal experiences in every classroom and throughout their school lives; Strong communication and intercultural skills; Fluency in the English language.What we offerA vibrant, diverse, and supportive school community.Opportunities for professional growth in a globally connected environment.A chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our learners as they grow into confident, internationally-minded individuals.Wonderful students who are interested in learningA dynamic and diverse workplace that continues to develop best teaching and learning practiceThe chance to engage in the life of the International School in the beautiful city of Leipzig; a historic, green, vibrant university city that is safe, well-connected, and in the cultural heart of EuropeCompany benefits such as company pension scheme, supplementary health insurance, moving allowance, JobRad leasing, financial support for a German language course etc. (Awarded the designation of a Socially Responsible Employer)

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