Head of Secondary

Cognita Schools; Madrid; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Tuition for children

Relocation support

Free lunches

Professional development

Madrid lifestyle

Job summary

Cognita Schools in Madrid seeks an experienced Head of Secondary to lead Key Stages 3–5 within a global education group. You will drive the School Improvement Plan, oversee teaching quality, and coach senior staff while guiding students toward IGCSE and A Level success.

You will manage safeguarding, partnerships with families, and transition planning for UCAS/universities in Spain, the UK, and beyond, all within a vibrant, international setting.

Qualifications

• Recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, QTS or equivalent).
• Experience in a British curriculum or international school with IGCSE and A Level understanding.
• Track record of leading and developing teams and coaching middle leaders.
• Excellent classroom and behaviour management; commitment to inclusive learning.
• Data-driven approach to monitor progress and lift student outcomes.
• Experience supporting students with university applications.
• Excellent English; Spanish or another language is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Set direction for Key Stages 3–5; lead School Improvement Plan and 3-year Strategic Plan as a core SLT member.
• Raise teaching standards; champion Cognita Teaching Standards; ensure challenging and inclusive lessons.
• Line-manage Heads of Subject, Head of Sixth Form and Examination Officer; coach middle leaders and recruit staff.
• Own results by tracking progress in IGCSE and A Level, analyzing mock and actual grades, providing timely support.
• Maintain safeguarding, wellbeing, attendance and behaviour; support pupils with additional needs.
• Partner with parents; guide families through IGCSE, A Level and post-16/university pathways.
• Lead KS2–3 transition and Sixth Form planning for UCAS and universities (Spain, UK and beyond).
• Champion enrichment, trips and student leadership; build partnerships with local organisations and universities.
• Manage Secondary budget, timetable, curriculum, calendar and compliance; deputise for Headteacher when needed.

Skills

Leadership experience

British curriculum experience

Team development

Classroom management

Data-driven instruction

University applications support

Excellent English

Spanish language (advantage)

Education

PGCE / QTS or equivalent

Job description

About the School - The English Montessori School (TEMS):

For over 50 years, The English Montessori School is an established British School that combines the benefits of a British education with aspects of the Montessori pedagogy. As well as our high academic standards, we have an exciting enrichment curriculum and a strong student leadership structure. This ensure our pupils are ready for life by being socially engaged, with a good level of emotional intelligence, independent and self-disciplined.

• A reputation for academic excellence and an exciting opportunity to work within a global organization
• Large campus in a great location in Madrid (Aravaca) with a state of the art campus being built for 2025
• Confident, independent and welcoming pupils
• Friendly and committed staff
• Excellent professional development and career opportunities

The school now has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of Secondary to join our fantastic team.

About Cognita:

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 86 schools in 21 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 100,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, "Thrive in a rapidly evolving world".

At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. And each and every one of our schools is unique too.

We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger. We open their classrooms to the collective wisdom of over 86 schools in 21 countries, ensuring every child gets an education that’s, quite literally, world class.

It’s an individual approach that empowers every school, teacher and student to focus on what they do best and thrive.

About the Role:

This is a big role with real influence. Day to day, you will:

• Set the direction. Lead strategy and operations for Key Stages 3–5, and drive the School Improvement Plan and three-year Strategic Plan as a core member of SLT.
• Raise the bar on teaching and learning. Champion the Cognita Teaching Standards, observe lessons, share what works and make sure teaching is challenging, inclusive and consistently good.
• Lead and grow people. Line-manage Heads of Subject, the Head of Sixth Form and the Examination Officer; coach middle leaders, run performance management and help recruit and induct new staff.
• Own results. Track progress across IGCSE and A Level, run pupil-progress meetings, analyse mock, predicted and actual grades, and act fast where pupils need support or stretch.
• Keep pupils safe and thriving. Uphold rigorous safeguarding, lead behaviour, attendance and wellbeing, and make sure pupils with additional needs get the right support.
• Partner with parents. Build positive, proactive relationships, and guide families through IGCSE, A Level and post-16 and university pathways.
• Guide every pupil's next step. Lead KS2–3 transition, subject choices, and Sixth Form planning for UCAS and universities in Spain, the UK and beyond.
• Make school life bigger than the classroom. Champion a broad enrichment offer, trips and student leadership, and build partnerships with local organisations and universities.
• Run a tight ship. Manage the Secondary budget, timetable, curriculum, calendar and compliance, and deputise for the Headteacher when needed.

Who We Are Looking For:

You’re a school leader who gets results and brings people with you. You will have:

• A recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, QTS or equivalent).
• Experience in a British curriculum or international school, with a strong understanding of IGCSE and A Level programmes and their assessment.
• A track record of leading and developing teams, with the confidence to support, challenge and coach middle leaders.
• Excellent classroom and behaviour management, and a commitment to a positive, inclusive learning environment.
• Skill in using data to monitor progress, shape teaching and lift student outcomes.
• Experience supporting students with university applications.
• Excellent English. Spanish is an advantage, as is another foreign language.

Just as important is who you are: passionate about helping young people reach their potential, a strong communicator with students, colleagues and parents, reflective and open to feedback, organised and adaptable, and ready to contribute to the wider life of the school.

Benefits at Cognita:

• Competitive A competitive salary, based on level and experience
• Free tuition for your children, with a permanent contract
• Relocation support if you're moving to Spain
• Free lunches in school
• A supportive, collaborative teaching community
• Professional development and room to grow within the global Cognita family
• Life in Madrid: world-class museums, great food, excellent public transport and the Guadarrama mountains on your doorstep

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.

We understand the value of AI tools and recognise the benefits they can offer to people who may need support with their writing. However, please be aware that we are increasingly rejecting CVs, expressions of interest and applications where the use of AI has resulted in content that feels generic, lacks personality or is indistinguishable from other submissions.

By using your own words, experiences and ideas to demonstrate your motivation for applying and your alignment with the role, you will give yourself the best opportunity to stand out in a highly competitive field.