Assistant Head of School, Safeguarding

NEXUS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD; Santo Niño 1st; Hybrid; PHP 5,653,000 - 8,794,000; Full time

Job summary

Nexus International School Singapore is seeking an Assistant Head of School, Safeguarding to lead safeguarding, child protection and wellbeing across the campus. The role reports to the Principal and sits on the Senior Leadership Team.

You will collaborate with Heads of School, General Manager and external authorities to ensure a safe learning environment and robust safeguarding practices across all sections of the school.

Qualifications

• Appropriate degree in Education, Psychology, Social Work, Counselling or related field.
• DSL/DDSL safeguarding training from recognized providers.
• Teaching qualification is not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead safeguarding governance, policy development and compliance across the school.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and external agencies on safeguarding matters.
• Design and deliver safeguarding training for staff and students.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding

Communication

Education

Education/related field

DSL/DDSL safeguarding training

Job description

Taylor's 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.

JOB TITLE: ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL, SAFEGUARDING

Reports to: Principal

WHO ARE WE?

Nexus is an empowering, learning-focused community. We strive to create an honest, open and innovative community with our learners, parents and peers. We believe that we have something unique and special here, we are proud to be different in the way we work; and how we teach and learn.

OUR CULTURE & PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS: THE NEXUS WAY

At Nexus, staff embody the "Nexus Way" by actively living four core pillars: cultivating respectful Relationships based on trust and respect, championing Inclusion that ensures a culture of belonging, driving Innovation through modern pedagogy and creative problem-solving, and finally demonstrating Mindsets that adapt to change with resilience. These expectations form the foundational culture for all our professional roles. The ideal candidate must be a "living example of the Nexus Way".

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Assistant Head of School, Safeguarding is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of safety, protection, and wellbeing for all learners across the school. The role involves creating and sustaining a culture where every child is protected, valued, and supported to thrive.

The Assistant Head of School is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team. The role will report directly to the Principal and will collaborate with the Head of Primary, Head of Secondary and General Manager. The duties and responsibilities shown below are not intended to be exhaustive and it is expected that the Assistant Head of School, Safeguarding will leverage their strengths to actively develop the role further.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Governance, Policy and Compliance

• Lead the development, review, and implementation of the school’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and procedures, ensuring compliance with all relevant Taylor’s Schools Group and Nexus International School Singapore policies
• Ensure full compliance with UK statutory guidance (Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, adapted for the international context.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, and best practice, ensuring compliance with local child protection laws
• Chair or Co-Chair the Safeguarding Team meetings, providing effective governance and oversight of safeguarding risks, improvement priorities, case management practices and safeguarding compliance requirements.

Collaboration and leadership

• Lead and manage the Counselling and Health Centre teams.
• Collaborate with Year Leaders and Learning Support teams to ensure a comprehensive support structure and care are in place for vulnerable students.
• Collaborate with the Principal, Heads of School, General Managers, Compliance and, when necessary, the Board on safeguarding matters and compliance readiness.
• Liaise with local authorities, embassies, and external child protection agencies where required.
• Work closely with the Taylor’s Schools Office VP for Safeguarding and Child Protection and contribute to the group’s communities of practice.
• Work with the People & Culture team and relevant Academic teams to ensure all permanent staff and third-party contractors meet background-check requirements.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the entire school.
• Line manage and train Child Protection Officers (CPOs) Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads in each part of the school.
• Coordinate safeguarding practices across Early Years, Primary, and Secondary, ensuring consistency and continuity.
• Support all staff in promoting a strong safeguarding culture in all aspects of school life.
• Collaborate with the Director of Digital Learning and Entrepreneurship to promote digital safety.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Head of School, Enrichment and Sports to manage after hours security protocols.

Training & Capacity Building

• Design, deliver, and evaluate safeguarding training for all academic and non-academic staff, including annual refreshers and induction for new joiners.
• Provide ongoing professional guidance and support for staff managing concerns.
• Deliver workshops for students and parents on child safety, online safety, and wellbeing.

Case Management & Record Keeping

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all safeguarding and child protection concerns.
• Manage and document cases securely, ensuring accurate and confidential record keeping.
• Provide board reports on safeguarding and regularly review and analyse data.
• Triangulate and analyse internal data, including, but not limited to, Komodo, PASS, Chameleon and annual student surveys to provide recommendations for interventions.
• Oversee and ensure sufficient staff training around risk assessments for school trips, activities, and third-party contractors.
• Oversee and ensure completion of annual safer recruitment training for relevant staff.
• Conduct regular safeguarding audits, implement action plans and monitor progress on any identified areas for improvement.

Teaching And Learning

• Where the appointed candidate holds appropriate teaching qualifications, Teaching and Learning responsibilities may be included.
• Collaboratively plan lessons with a backwards by design approach with the end in mind (4 periods each week across the primary or secondary school).
• Personalise learning in the classroom for all students.
• Analyse and triangulate student data.
• Assess using both summative and formative methods and use data tracking to monitor progress of students.
• Complete half termly reports to parents on progress and attainment as well as attitudinal competencies.
• Provide support for a secondary tutor group as a support tutor (if a secondary teacher).
• Attend and support annual residential camps with tutor / year group.
• Be involved in leading at least 1 CCA each week.
• Take part in professional development programs and the professional review cycle.

Collective Responsibilities

• Build positive relationships with students, parents and colleagues.
• Have a commitment to professional growth and be a reflective practitioner.
• Be a part of and support a house group.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Academic/Professional Qualification

• Appropriate degree (Education, Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, or related field)
• Teaching qualification non-essential
• DSL/DDSL safeguarding training from recognised international providers

Related Experience

• Minimum 5 years school experience
• Middle or senior leadership experience desirable
• Understanding of relevant laws on child protection including reporting procedures

COMPETENCIES

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Have a proven track record of outstanding practice
• Have a growth mindset looking to continually improve
• Be able to engage, motivate and support children, staff and parents
• Be a reflective, flexible practitioner with the ability to think creatively and take risks
• Have the interpersonal skills needed to work successfully within teams
• Have a strong learning-focused philosophy

Behavioural

• Excellent communicator (written and verbal) with parents, pupils and colleagues
• Experience of leading and managing a department
• High levels of energy and commitment
• Personally committed to enrichment programmes
• A team player with sound interpersonal skills and sensitivity, the ability to work collaboratively, as part of a team
• Honest and hard-working, excellent organizational skills
• Ability to see the bigger picture
• An eagerness to participate fully in the life of a busy school
• Enthusiasm and a keen sense of humour
• Committed to safeguarding the physical, emotional and mental well-being of young people.
• Prior experience of senior leadership and strategic planning
• Remains positive and enthusiastic under pressure
• High standards of dress, punctuality
• Awareness of the needs of others

Please note that this position is intended for candidates available to start in either January 2027 or August 2027.The job holder is responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people for whom they are responsible or with whom they come into contact. The job holder must adhere to and ensure compliance with the relevant Taylor’s Schools Safeguarding Policy and Procedures at all times. If, in the course of carrying out their duties, the job holder identifies or suspects that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, harm, they must report the concern in accordance with the school’s safeguarding procedures.