Early Years Leader

About the School – St Andrews Sathorn

Overview:

St. Andrews International School, Sathorn, is a vibrant, inclusive community committed to fostering academic excellence and holistic development. We are seeking an experienced and passionate Early Years Leader to join our leadership team. This role is pivotal in shaping the educational journey of our youngest learners, ensuring a nurturing environment that promotes curiosity, resilience, and a love for learning.

The school now has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Early Year Leader to join our fantastic team.

About Cognita:

​Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ 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 100 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:

​Position Objective

The key objectives of the Head of Primary at St Andrews International Schools are as follows:

• Responsible for the smooth day to day running of the early year school
  

        Lead by example, consistently demonstrating the core values of Care, Success, Innovation & Inclusion

• Quality Assure and Develop the Primary curriculum, and its delivery through high quality and responsive teaching & learning
  

• Build Relationships with Faculty, Students, Wider Staff and Parents
  

What you will be doing:

Key Responsibilities:

1. Teaching

• High Quality Teaching Practice in Early Years environment, drawing on English National Curriculum
  

• Planning and delivering inspiring learning environments.
  

• Building Relationships with Students, Staff and Parents
  

2. Leadership

• Be a positive role model for all at Sathorn.
  

• Form part of the Senior Leadership Team of the school, driving forwards whole school priorities and continued improvement
  

• Oversight and management of day to day running of EY

• Line management of: -Early Years Teachers and TAs

• Working with the DSL and LS Coordinator and KS1 coordinator to ensure smooth transition to KS1.
  

3. Communication

• Ensure consistency in parent communication across Early Years, including via Seesaw, family friendly mornings and Newsletter.
  

• Lead on the parent engagement programme for Early Years, including parent workshops, coffee mornings, parent communications and meeting with parent reps.
  

• Oversight and planning of larger events for Early Years.
  

• Ensure clear and transparent communication internally for staff via regular staff meetings, Early Years weekly notices, communication of relevant policies and guidelines.
  

• Be a support to parents for escalated items.
  

4. Professional Development

• Induction and training of new Early years staff.
  

• Lead the ongoing CPD of all staff in Early Years, in line with the wider school development plan and focus on high quality teaching and learning.
  

• Implement CPD and coaching cycles across Early year to continually improve teaching and learning
  

5. Curriculum & Teaching

• Oversight and management of the overall Early Years curriculum, leading regular review cycles
  

• Oversight of the resourcing of the curriculum.
  

• Work with subject and phase leaders to ensure consistent delivery of the curriculum.
  

• Working with the Head of School to ensure school vision and priorities are implemented.
  

6. Operational

• Support in overseeing ongoing staffing and recruitment plans
  

• Budget management and allocation for EY 

• Work with the admissions team to meet and support new joiners, and manage student numbers and relevant staffing considerations across Early years
  

7. Safeguarding & Pastoral

• DDSL for EY, working as part of the wider Safeguarding team to address all Safeguarding concerns relating to EY
  

• Pastoral & Behavior - manage higher level or ongoing behavior concerns of early year students, alongside the Pastoral Care Coordinator and Head of School
  

• The job holder is responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young person’s for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the relevant Cognita Safeguarding; Child Protection Policy and Procedures at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the role, the job holder identifies any instance that a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm either at school or at home, s/he must report any concerns to the School’s Child Protection Officer/Designated Safeguarding Lead or to the Head of indeed to the Regional CEP so that a referral can be made accordingly to the relevant third part services
  

Who we are looking for:

Qualifications and Experience:.

• A relevant teaching certificate or license.
  

• A minimum four year recognised teaching qualification including a Bachelor’s Degree and Teaching Diploma or a Bachelor of Education
  

• Experience in an International School environment would be a distinct advantage
  

• Excellent communication skills, multi-tasking and time management
  

• Ability to lead and work as a part of a team and a willingness to fully contribute to wider school events
  

• Excellent communication skills, multi-tasking and time management
  

Working Conditions

• 7.30 am to 4.00 pm, 5 days per week
  

• Meetings as required
  

• Teachers are required to be involved in school functions, meetings, events and professional development days as necessary, both within and outside of school hours

Term of Employment

• Fixed Term
  

• Full time role
  

• Paid leave during prescribed school holidays,
  

• Paid sick and hospitalisation leave
  

• Other benefits including relocation depending on terms of employment
  

Benefits at Cognita:

• Competitive salary depending upon qualifications and experience
  

• School holidays and public holidays / Holiday Allowance
  

• School fee discount
  

• Professional Development
  

How to Apply:

Complete this application before the closing date. The Closing Date for Applications is: 30 April 2026.

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 believe having a diverse workforce makes us better, smarter and happier and so welcome applicants from all backgrounds, genders, and races. We have an unwavering commitment to being fair and equitable in our recruitment process.

Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.

Applicants who have not heard from us by the closing date must assume that, on this occasion, their application has been unsuccessful.