Secondary Principal - Vivaio Campus Basic

The role

The Secondary Principal leads the academic, pastoral and operational life of the Secondary School at the Vivaio Campus of the Canadian School of Milan. This full-time position reports to the Proprietors and covers Grades 6–12, encompassing both Middle and Senior School. The postholder ensures excellence in teaching and learning, fosters student wellbeing, and maintains a seamless educational journey through to graduation.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the strategic vision for the Secondary School.
• Lead the Secondary Leadership Team and ensure consistent implementation of school priorities.
• Monitor school improvement targets using academic and pastoral data.
• Contribute to whole-school strategic planning and report regularly to the Proprietors on student achievement, wellbeing, staffing and improvement initiatives.

Teaching and Learning

• Ensure outstanding teaching and learning across Grades 6–12 with strong knowledge of the Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme curricula.
• Work closely with the Head of Secondary (Academics) and Heads of Faculty to maintain curriculum continuity and progression.
• Monitor academic standards through lesson observations, learning walks, assessment data and student progress meetings.
• Promote evidence-informed teaching, support staff through coaching and professional development, and maintain academic rigour while encouraging innovation.

Student Wellbeing and Pastoral Leadership

• Provide visible, compassionate pastoral leadership and build positive relationships across all year groups.
• Be highly present during arrival, breaks, dismissal, assemblies and school events.
• Lead behaviour management in a consistent and restorative manner while overseeing attendance, safeguarding and wellbeing systems.
• Celebrate student success and develop meaningful student leadership opportunities.

Visibility, Staff and Operational Leadership

• Maintain a constant visible presence across the campus and attend school events and functions.
• Inspire staff through professional integrity, recruit and retain outstanding teachers, and conduct regular observations and performance reviews.
• Ensure safeguarding remains central to all practices and maintain high standards of behaviour, attendance and punctuality.
• Support accreditation, inspection and quality assurance processes.

Admissions, Marketing and Community Engagement

• Meet prospective families and support Open Days and student recruitment initiatives.
• Work with the Marketing and Admissions Team to showcase school life and build strong partnerships with parents.
• Represent the school professionally within the wider educational community and actively contribute to student recruitment and retention.

Requirements

• Substantial senior leadership experience within an international secondary school.
• Strong knowledge and experience of the Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
• Proven record as an instructional leader in raising academic standards.
• Passion for adolescent development, student wellbeing and pastoral care.
• Highly visible, approachable and student-centred approach with outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience leading safeguarding, behaviour and student wellbeing.
• Ability to act as an ambassador for the Canadian School of Milan and maintain strong relationships with parents, staff and the wider community.

How to apply

Candidates can apply via TheTeacherJob or request the school contact after signing in.