Secondary Principal

The role

The Secondary Principal leads the academic, pastoral and operational life of the Secondary School at the Vivaio Campus of the Canadian School of Milan. This full-time position reports to the Proprietors and covers Grades 6–12, encompassing both Middle and Senior School. The postholder ensures excellence in teaching and learning, fosters student wellbeing, and maintains a seamless educational journey through to graduation.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the strategic vision for the Secondary School.
• Lead the Secondary Leadership Team and ensure consistent implementation of school priorities.
• Monitor school improvement targets using academic and pastoral data.
• Contribute to whole-school strategic planning and report regularly to the Proprietors on student achievement, wellbeing, staffing and improvement initiatives.

Teaching and Learning

• Ensure outstanding teaching and learning across Grades 6–12 with strong knowledge of the Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme curricula.
• Work closely with the Head of Secondary (Academics) and Heads of Faculty to maintain curriculum continuity and progression.
• Monitor academic standards through lesson observations, learning walks, assessment data and student progress meetings.
• Promote evidence-informed teaching, support staff through coaching and professional development, and maintain academic rigour while encouraging innovation.

Student Wellbeing and Pastoral Leadership

• Provide visible, compassionate pastoral leadership and build positive relationships across all year groups.
• Be highly present during arrival, breaks, dismissal, assemblies and school events.
• Lead behaviour management in a consistent and restorative manner while overseeing attendance, safeguarding and wellbeing systems.
• Celebrate student success and develop meaningful student leadership opportunities.

Visibility, Staff and Operational Leadership

• Maintain a constant visible presence across the campus and attend school events and functions.
• Inspire staff through professional integrity, recruit and retain outstanding teachers, and conduct regular observations and performance reviews.
• Ensure safeguarding remains central to all practices and maintain high standards of behaviour, attendance and punctuality.
• Support accreditation, inspection and quality assurance processes.

Admissions, Marketing and Community Engagement

• Meet prospective families and support Open Days and student recruitment initiatives.
• Work with the Marketing and Admissions Team to showcase school life and build strong partnerships with parents.
• Represent the school professionally within the wider educational community and actively contribute to student recruitment and retention.

Requirements

• Substantial senior leadership experience within an international secondary school.
• Strong knowledge and experience of the Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
• Proven record as an instructional leader in raising academic standards.
• Passion for adolescent development, student wellbeing and pastoral care.
• Highly visible, approachable and student-centred approach with outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience leading safeguarding, behaviour and student wellbeing.
• Ability to act as an ambassador for the Canadian School of Milan and maintain strong relationships with parents, staff and the wider community.