Overview The Asia Pacific Schools, in partnership with The International Schools Partnership (ISP), equips students for local and global success by delivering Amazing Learning
and offers both the international and Malaysian National curricula in the Klang Valley, Malaysia.
The Asia Pacific Schools promotes equality and is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to diversity and inclusion, as well as providing employees with a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
Key benefits
A culture of engagement and trust, where staff contributions are recognized and valued.
A passionate and motivated team of professionals who put children at the heard of decision-making.
An embedded whole campus commitment to professional development and a commitment to serving others.
A peer network of like-minded teaching colleagues and support from operations’ staff.
Access to expertise, best practice sharing and learning opportunities across countries and cultures.
A commitment to employee well-being.
We also offer
Competitive salary
Pension fund contribution to an Employee Provident Fund (EPF)
Fee discount for children of employees
Outpatient and inpatient medical benefits
Paid leaves : medical, hospitalization, annual leaves, maternity, compassionate, etc.
ASIA PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL We are seeking to hire a
Head of Department : Mathematics
with experience of working in an International School for commencementNov 2025 .
Reporting to : Deputy Principal, Secondary
Purpose of Role To provide Amazing Learning opportunities so that students continually get better through the delivery of high-quality teaching and the creation of effective resources.
ISP Principles Begin with our children and students . Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
Treat everyone with care and respect . We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.
Operate effectively . We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.
Learn continuously . Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.
Key Responsibilities
To lead the Mathematics team with enthusiasm, developing the pedagogical practice of all colleagues, sharing good practice through coaching and mentoring, and building on strengths while addressing areas for improvement.
To promote, monitor, and support professional development within the department to ensure students are fully engaged in the learning process.
To ensure departmental priorities and action plans align with the
School Learning Improvement Plan , contributing actively to whole-school development initiatives and improvement targets.
To lead the department’s self-evaluation, identifying strengths and areas for development, and report findings to SLT to inform strategic planning.
To regularly review and improve departmental policies and procedures (including staff absence, reporting, meetings, and target setting) in line with the school’s aims, values, and current international good practice.
To work collaboratively with programme coordinators to remain updated on curriculum and assessment requirements, and to disseminate relevant information to the team.
Working alongside the School Leadership Team support link, to ensure all colleagues, including new staff, are regularly monitored, supported, and appraised in line with school policy.
To lead on the effective use of data, enabling all colleagues to identify and provide appropriate intervention for underachieving students and suitable challenge for more able learners.
To manage departmental resources and budget in line with school policy, ensuring value for money and a stimulating teaching environment.
To foster positive relationships with parents and carers, ensuring clear communication about curriculum, assessment, progress, and departmental priorities.
To promote enrichment opportunities in mathematics (such as clubs, competitions, and cross-curricular projects) to enhance student engagement and achievement.
To support the well-being and workload of department colleagues, ensuring effective delegation and sustainable working practices.
Key Performance Indicators
Manage the departmental budget and ensure timely ordering of educational materials in line with curriculum needs.
Lead the mapping, design, delivery, and review of the department curriculum.
Moderate assessments across the department in line with the school’s assessment policy.
Work with colleagues towards school and departmental targets for IGCSE and other external examinations.
Identify underachieving pupils using data and ensure appropriate intervention and monitoring, with effective communication to parents.
Attend and contribute to Heads of Department meetings.
Engage in professional development to improve leadership and subject expertise.
Lead regular department meetings focused on pedagogy, curriculum, and student outcomes.
Lead departmental appraisals, including the promotion of peer coaching.
Conduct “looking for learning” visits for all staff, with targeted support for new staff.
Assist the cover team in preparing cover for emergency, heavy load, or long-term absence.
Manage the department’s physical environment, including classrooms and noticeboards, to celebrate student learning.
Support SLT with departmental behaviour concerns and inclusion strategies, in line with the school’s positive behaviour policy.
Work with SEN and EAL teams to support students with additional learning needs or English language difficulties.
Manage the department’s reporting process in line with school policy.
Promote safeguarding and well-being protocols, reporting concerns as appropriate.
Support the induction and mentoring of new staff, ensuring they are fully integrated into departmental practice.
Other Duties
Fully and positively participate in the school’s performance appraisal scheme to enhance personal and departmental performance.
Undertake any other reasonable duties assigned by SLT or the line manager, particularly with regard to the school’s wider administrative function.
Follow all school policies and procedures at all times.
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in mathematics is essential, and many schools prefer or require a postgraduate teaching qualification, such as a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). A master’s in education or a related field can also be a significant advantage.
Minimum 5-8 years of teaching experience. This should include a proven track record of teaching mathematics across a range of ages and abilities, particularly at the IGCSE and A-Level.
Minimum 2 years of experience in an academic or departmental leadership capacity. This could be as a Head of a key stage, a subject coordinator, or a similar middle management position.
Computer literate with good interpersonal communication skills
Fluency in written and spoken English and Bahasa Malaysia.
Person specification
Patient, responsible, and passionate about teaching
A team player and flexible to meet the needs of the department
Must be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people they are responsible for or come into contact with
ISP Leadership Competencies You consistently demonstrate and role-model the ISP Leadership Competencies in all that you do.
Cognitive
Strategic, commercial and financial acumen
Understands education sector and what drives success
Outcome-driven with strong a strong focus on results
Shares our ambition and goals and champions desired change
Delivers strategic outcomes by inspiring and motivating their team to work towards shared goals
Demonstrates financial understanding when making decisions and taking action
Keeps self and team organised and on track
Creative Problem Solver
Tackles challenges in an organized and systematic way and finds solutions
Sees problems as opportunities to improve and better deliver against organisational priorities
Creates a safe environment within team to encourage innovation and problem-solving
Empowers team to apply creativity and flexibility to overcome challenges
Identifies risks and creates and implements mitigation plans
Interpersonal
Intentionally connects
Supports, enables and inspires others to give their best
Takes time to understand their team and personalise individual experiences
A skilled identifier of talent who recognises the value of soft skills (emotional intelligence, drive, learnability etc.) as predictors of potential
Focuses on people development through coaching and mentoring, sharing their experiences and insight
Recognises and celebrates successes
Collaborative & Communicative
Develops and shares our collective vision
Encourages collaboration and teamwork, making people feel like they are working and succeeding together
Open-minded; actively listening and seeking and welcoming feedback
Communicates honestly, transparently and with genuine care and empathy
Articulates thoughts and ideas clearly and adjusts how they communicate to the person or situation
Self-Leadership
Amazing learner
Self-aware, humble and a good listener
Manages their own personal development, focusing on continuous learning and getting better
Is open about their own areas for development and encourages their team to be the same
Builds a team with complementary skillsets to support them in areas where they are not so naturally suited
Curious; asks questions, explores and builds on ideas
Resilient
Practices self-care and encourages their team to do the same
Uses inner strength when times are challenging or when working outside of their comfort zone
Understands their own qualities, skills, emotions and triggers and uses this understanding to remain composed and confident in uncertainty
Recovers positively from setbacks, using them as an opportunity
Digital
Technologically literate
Digital collaborator, who works effectively with technical specialists
Stays up to date with the latest technology and trends and knows how these can be applied in their role
Demonstrates an adaptive techmindset, constantly evolving their understanding and application of what is possible using tech
Assesses the impact of new technologies for their role and the organisation
Digital data fluent
Effectively interprets digital data and uses it in decision-making
Collects, shares and analyses evidence to demonstrate impact, make connections and set improvement targets
Connects data from different digital sources to design, develop and implement action
Simplifies complex digital data into clear and understandable information for different audiences
Uses a mix of digital data, experiences, instinct and context to make decisions
Global
Values-driven
Role models the ISP Principles
Prioritises wellbeing, inclusion and belonging and is caring, considerate and supportive of their team
Demonstrates a multi-cultural mindset and respects the different values, behaviours, attitudes and practices across cultures
Seeks different perspectives and integrates diversity of thought from team
Sustainability-focused
Considers the environmental and social impact of their decisions and finds ways to minimise these
Uses their passion and credibility to challenge ways of thinking
Advocates for policies and practices that support a more sustainable future
Identifies inefficiencies and wastefulness and prioritises productive and balanced use of resources.
ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All postholders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years of employment history.
ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.
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Head Of Department • Kota Bharu, Malaysia