HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Old School Ties; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex High School in Paarl seeks a founding educational leader to build a school of excellence. You will drive instructional leadership, champion learner achievement and lead governance and budgeting to sustain quality education.

The role requires strategic vision, relationship skills, and a track record of transforming learner outcomes in a successful school setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum REQV14 qualification (matric + four years qualification).
• SACE registration with proof required.
• Police clearance certificate required.
• Valid driver’s license and own transport essential.
• Seven years teaching experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead school with focus on academic excellence and high expectations.
• Develop staff through mentoring, coaching and development plans.
• Oversee governance, budgeting and resource management.
• Foster community partnerships and parent engagement.
• Drive educational innovation and learning outcomes improvement.

Skills

Senior leadership

Instructional leadership

Staff development

Budget management

Governance

Communication

Education

REQV14 qualification

SACE registration

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Seeking passionate, committed leader ready to build a school of excellence

We invite applications from exceptional leaders, with a track record of success leading through inspiration, strong character, superior relationship skills and a focus on fostering a collaborative school community. Instructional leadership and general management skills are essential, along with experience in championing a high expectations culture for both learners and staff. If you are someone who challenges the status quo to achieve excellence, you will be a perfect fit.

Apex High School is a brand new, low-cost private school situated in Paarl. We seek an inspirational educational leader who can nurture academic excellence, foster staff development, strengthen community partnerships and lead innovation in teaching and learning.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications:

• Minimum requirement is a REQV14 qualification (matric + four years qualification)
• Certification through the South African Council of Educators (SACE)-proof of registration required
• Police clearance certificate required
• Valid driver’s license and own transport essential
• Seven years teaching experience

Essential experience and skills:

• A minimum of three years’ experience on a high school senior leadership team
• Experience of leadership in a highly successful school that provides an outstanding education for its learners
• A track record of leading successful learner interventions and improving learner outcomes
• A track record of high expectations personally and professionally
• Experience in instructional leadership and coaching and mentoring of educators highly advantageous
• Experience in performance management of staff
• Enhances a positive and high expectations school culture of teachers and learners
• Experience in school governance, the management of resources and budgets
• Excellent time management skills and an ability to multi-task and prioritise work
• Be computer literate and MS Office proficient
• Have an exceptional understanding of how young children learn and develop

Personal attributes:

• Must be aligned to our mission of developing the school into a school of excellence and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve this mission
• Exhibit a genuine passion and a belief in the potential of every learner
• Have a strong moral purpose with an uncompromising approach to school improvement and raising attainment
• Serves as a leader and role‑model who will inspire and drive teacher development and innovative curriculum delivery
• Effective leadership style that encourages participation, innovation, and confidence
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Able to foster good relationships with our parents and the wider community
• Be open to innovative ideas and deviating from the status quo

Applications close on Friday, 23 October 2026

Start date: 1 January 2027 (but a sooner start will be preferable)

Contract & Benefits: This is a full-time, permanent position. The school offers a competitive salary to the successful candidate. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a credit check.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful

We are seeking more than a principal. We are seeking a founding leader who will help create a school where young children develop a love of learning, teachers flourish professionally, and families become valued partners in education. If you share our vision and have experience of leading outstanding practice, then we want to hear from you.