The Head – Junior School is entrusted with the strategic, pedagogical, and operational leadership of the Early Years Programme (EYP) and Primary Years Programme (PYP) at Shiv Nadar School, Chennai. As a key member of the school's academic and leadership team, this role ensures the delivery of a holistic, future-focused, and inclusive education that is rooted in the philosophy of the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the values of the Shiv Nadar School.
The Head – Junior School leads the creation of a safe, nurturing, and intellectually stimulating learning environment where every child is known, valued, and supported in their development as confident, capable, and curious learners. They work collaboratively with educators, specialist departments, programme coordinators, and leadership to ensure curriculum coherence, consistency of teaching and learning practices, and student well-being across all year levels in EYP and PYP.
In addition to instructional and curricular leadership, the role requires thoughtful management of people, processes, and school culture. The Head – Junior School fosters a professional environment of trust, continuous learning, shared responsibility, and reflective practice among staff. They serve as a bridge between the leadership team and the teaching faculty, ensuring that school-wide goals are effectively translated into meaningful classroom practices.
The role is also instrumental in strengthening the IB continuum, aligning programme transitions, and fostering an integrated approach to learning that weaves together disciplines, specialist inputs, and real-world contexts. With a deep commitment to student agency, inquiry, and inclusion, the Head – Junior School ensures that every aspect of the student experience is purposeful and developmentally appropriate.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management
- Leads the academic and operational functioning of the Junior School (EYP and PYP), ensuring alignment with the school's mission, vision, and IB philosophy
- Serves as the reporting manager for all Junior School faculty, including the Head – Early Years, PYP Coordinator, Teaching & Learning Lead, and specialist educators (non-HRI)
- Provides instructional leadership by articulating high expectations, promoting a culture of reflective practice, and enabling shared responsibility for student learning
- Participates in whole-school leadership planning, strategic reviews, and implementation of improvement initiatives
- Supports the Head – Early Years Programme by offering strategic guidance and alignment with whole-school vision, while the Head – Early Years manages administrative operations for the Early Years section.
- Partners with the Principal and SLT to co-lead initiatives around curriculum, assessment, inclusion, and community engagement
Pedagogical Oversight
- Works in close partnership with the PYP Coordinator to ensure effective implementation of the PYP framework, vertical and horizontal alignment, and curriculum coherence
- Promotes high-quality, inquiry-based teaching and learning practices that reflect student agency, conceptual depth, and transdisciplinary integration
- Oversees the implementation of the Programme of Inquiry, ensuring progression and continuity across grade levels
- Leads or co-leads schoolwide pedagogical priorities such as inclusive education, specialist subject integration, and innovative instructional design
- Collaborates with the sports, arts, counselling, PLC, and library teams to support authentic integration within Units of Inquiry and holistic student development
- Supervises, monitors, and supports teachers through coaching, observation, and feedback processes that align with the IB standards and reflect best practices in adult learning
Collaboration and Community Engagement
- Builds and sustains strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues to nurture an inclusive, collaborative, and caring learning community
- Collaborates with MYP and DP Coordinators to support IB continuum planning and ensure smooth transitions across programmes
- Partners with the Programme Coordinator and Principal to prepare for IB authorisation and evaluation visits.
- Represents the Junior School in key school-level meetings, task forces, and strategic planning groups led by the Principal or Management
- Plays an active role in strengthening the school–home partnership and fostering open communication with parents and caregivers
Teacher Development & Staffing
- Leads the professional growth of Junior School educators by supporting the TLL in two formal coaching cycles per term, facilitating individual goal-setting meetings, and suggesting structured reflection sessions
- Supports the recruitment process in collaboration with People& Culture team by participating in interviews and evaluating teaching demonstrations of candidates
- Oversees induction and onboarding of new educators by coordinating a structured onboarding program in collaboration with the People & Culture Team and the PYPC, ensuring all new staff attend orientation sessions within their first month.
- Collects frequent feedback from the team to refine practices and ensure alignment with the school's pedagogical philosophy and IB practices.
- Provides inputs for faculty appraisals and performance reviews in collaboration with the Principal and HR team
- Works with the Teaching & Learning Lead and PYPC to identify schoolwide learning needs and design professional development aligned with IB expectations and school priorities
Additional Responsibilities
- Oversees teacher deployment, timetable planning, and resource allocation to support effective teaching and learning
- Reviews and manages the professional development (PD) budget for the Junior School and approves PD requests in alignment with identified needs and school goals
- Collaborates with the Principal and Programme Coordinator to plan and facilitate key events such as Back to School Orientations sessions
- Supports the Parent Partnership Office with parent queries, and engagement sessions
- Supports the Principal during parent interviews for student admissions, contributing to appropriate placement decisions, and community alignment
- Participates in the planning and execution of school events, assemblies, and celebrations that reflect the spirit and values of the school
- Attends school-wide planning sessions, strategic meetings, and professional learning events as required by the Principal or Management
Professional Integrity and Presence
- Maintains a teaching role, where necessary, to remain connected to classroom realities and demonstrate model practice.
- Promotes the integration of technology and digital pedagogies within teaching and learning, supporting teachers in meaningful and responsible tech.
- Upholds the highest standards of professional ethics, collaboration, and commitment to the school's mission and the IB learner profile
