High School Associate Principal – SPARK High Schools – 2026 – Cape Town at SPARK Schools

Strategic Leadership:

• Working with the Headmaster and Senior Leadership Team to shape the school’s vision, aims, and objectives, and to develop the policies that will achieve them.

Academic Leadership: 

• Overseeing the curriculum, assessment, and teaching and learning strategies to ensure high standards of education and student achievement. This may involve monitoring student progress, evaluating the effectiveness of teaching methods, and supporting staff development.
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of a high-quality instructional program that promotes content mastery and critical thinking, aligned with the National Senior Certificate (NSC) requirements.
• Use quantitative (assessment) and qualitative (anecdotal) data to monitor scholar progress, identify gaps, and implement targeted interventions to ensure that all scholars are on track to meet matriculation standards.
• Managing quality of teaching and learning to ensure excellent academic outcomes in all departments
• Running grade 12 exams in alignment with DBE standards
• Promote the adoption of innovative educational practices that reflect current global trends, such as project-based learning, technology integration, and global competencies to ensure that SPARK scholars are prepared for both university and careers.
• Drive the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the curriculum, encouraging scholars to engage with global challenges and solutions.

Support Matric Readiness and Exam Preparation: 

• Lead efforts to prepare scholars for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, including coordinating mock exams, study sessions, and targeted academic support for Grade 12 scholars.
• Ensure that scholars are equipped with strong study skills, time management techniques, and a clear understanding of NSC requirements to meet a 100% pass rate target.

Scholar Culture and Behaviour Management:

• Leading and developing the school’s pastoral care program, including student well-being, behaviour management, and support services.
• Upholding behavior management processes and policies
• Ensure that scholar culture initiatives are held in school to uphold a positive, proud scholar culture that aligns with the CQ curriculum and SPARK core values
• Oversee the development and implementation of individualised behaviour support plans for scholars struggling to meet behavioural expectations, focusing on restorative justice approaches and fostering personal responsibility.
• Work collaboratively with the Assistant Principals and Counseling Teams to ensure a robust system of scholar support, including mental health resources and social-emotional development programs.
• Promote a culture of academic rigor, responsibility, and continuous improvement, ensuring that scholars take ownership of their learning.
• Lead initiatives that focus on character development alongside academic growth, reinforcing SPARK Schools’ core values (Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility, Kindness) within the academic context.
• Lead the scholar support team to ensure that academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support systems are integrated and effectively address the needs of all scholars.
• Engage parents and the broader community in the academic process, building partnerships that contribute to scholar success.

Staff Management: 

• Supporting and motivating staff, contributing to recruitment and retention, and promoting a positive and collaborative working environment.
• Onboarding new staff members on vision, mission, model of the school
• Lead mid-managers in school to drive implementation in all areas of the school
• Implement rigorous systems for monitoring and evaluation, ensuring continuous improvement across both academic and non-academic areas of the school.
• Hold staff and scholars accountable for high performance standards, with regular check-ins and review meetings to assess progress toward school-wide goals.

School Operations:

• Ensuring the smooth running of the school, including resource management, and the effective implementation of school policies.
• DBE and UMALUSI compliance
• Ensure all stakeholders are aligned to and uphold operational procedures and protocols.

Stakeholder Management:

• Maintaining effective communication with all stakeholders, including students, parents, staff, and the wider community
• Lead Parent Conference Meetings or Community Meetings
• Actively engage parents, families, and the wider community in the educational process, creating a strong support network around each scholar to enhance accountability and achievement. .

Deputizing:

• Standing in for the Headmaster in their absence, taking on their responsibilities and making decisions on their behalf. Qualities:
• Grit: Persistence through challenges.
• Excellence: A track record of high expectations personally and professionally.
• Mission and Vision Alignment : Understanding of and passion for the SPARK Schools mission to provide excellent education at an affordable cost.
• Self Reflection: Finding the capacity to bring your best self to challenges and opportunities.

Requirements
Qualifications and Criteria: 

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:

• English language fluency
• Completed B.Ed or PGCE degree; Honours or Master’s in Education preferred
• Familiarity with high school matric requirements including Senior and FET phase CAPS curricula,
• SACE registration
• A clear criminal record
• Completed at least 3-5 years of excellent classroom instruction in intermediate, senior or FET phase
• Management experience in a school environment.

Qualities: 

• Grit: Persistence through challenges.
• Excellence: A track record of high expectations personally and professionally.
• Mission and Vision Alignment : Understanding of and passion for the SPARK Schools mission to provide excellent education at an affordable cost.
• Self Reflection: Finding the capacity to bring your best self to challenges and opportunities.