Liberal Arts Curriculum Coordinator – Crucible Lusaka

This is a fascinating opportunity to be part of an ambitious and transformational approach to education and leadership in Africa.

For January 2025 or earlier

Crucible Lusaka will open in Zambia in January 2025, the first of an intended 100 leadership schools across Africa by 2045. Its mission is simple but bold: Crucible Lusaka prepares ambitious students to become pioneering leaders for a prosperous Zambia. The Liberal Arts Curriculum Coordinator will be a vital part of ensuring that the founding school is able to meet its educational aspirations.

Crucible’s premise is that great secondary education is a necessary precondition for development. Countries that have experienced the most rapid economic development have well-educated leaders in all sectors of society. Crucible recognises that there are too few schools focusing on leadership in Africa – and without such schools there is little chance of creating a generation of leaders who can deliver economic impact and long-term prosperity across the continent. Through generous seed funding from social entrepreneur George Bevis and the support of a small but world-class team of experts assembled to deliver on his vision, Crucible aims to create a network of schools that will produce the future leaders that the continent needs.

Crucible graduates will be academically brilliant, but equipped with a much broader set of life skills and a deeper understanding of how they can make a difference to their communities. They will be challenged to make a meaningful contribution to their country’s future, while maintaining a global outlook. The Crucible programme has been carefully designed so that every student has a broad and balanced education. There will be a mix of examined STEM subjects leading to AS- and A-levels, a wide-ranging liberal arts curriculum to provide a cultural, historical and philosophical perspective and foster independent and critical thinking, and project-based learning to develop leadership, entrepreneurial and team-working skills. Sports and community engagement will provide further ways to build leadership potential.

Crucible Lusaka will be fully residential and initially sixth form/upper secondary only so that it can allow scope for experimentation and establish proof of concept quickly. Later schools will be for 11-18 year-olds.  Vaughan Lewis has been appointed as the school’s Founding Principal and is in the process of assembling a founding team.

The Liberal Arts Curriculum Coordinator will be a critical appointment. This curriculum will be all the more impactful because it is fully integrated, not a collection of separate subjects. The aim is to give every student an understanding of and joy in literature, philosophy, the humanities, social science and visual and performing arts. Students will progress to world-leading universities to study science, engineering, mathematics, economics or business, but they will do so as well-rounded young men and women who understand the historical, cultural and philosophical contexts of societies and people; in particular they will have an understanding of Zambia that will equip them for future leadership roles in the country’s government, economy and society.

The successful candidate will need to be an embodiment of Crucible’s philosophy, inspiring students through their love of learning and deep interest in their subjects. The position could suit candidates from a variety of backgrounds and at a variety of points in their careers – so long as they have a commitment to a mind-broadening education that will prepare students for life and the experience to design and implement this innovative new curriculum. They will also need the cultural curiosity, breadth and sensitivity to ensure that learning is relevant in its African and Zambian contexts. The Curriculum Coordinator must be able to deliver much of the curriculum themselves, but with the personality to inspire and enable colleagues and members of the wider school community to contribute, and to coordinate a network of partner organisations who will help to deliver the curriculum. The successful candidate will also need the seniority and experience to be able to support the Principal in other aspects of the school’s founding as well as to deputise when necessary.

The position is available for January 2025 or earlier if possible.

For a preliminary, confidential conversation about the roles with Jean Sullivan, Head of International Search or Keith Clark, Head of International Leadership Appointments, please contact jeansullivan@rsacademics.com.

Applications for this position will be considered on an ongoing basis and early applications are therefore encouraged.

To apply, candidates should complete an application form electronically and submit it to RSAcademics, together with a letter of application, CV/résumé, and completed data sharing agreement. Please click the Apply Now link on the right side of this page. You will be taken to an online portal where you will be able to download the application materials. Please follow the instructions provided to complete your application. Guidance on the letter of application can be found in the candidate information. Please make sure your letter is tailored to this role; an application letter that is largely generic is discouraged and may lead to your application not being considered.

Should you have any queries relating to submission of your application, please contact Alison Hooper, Project Coordinator, at applications@rsacademics.com. Alison can also be reached by calling +44(0)1858 383163.

Crucible Lusaka is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be prepared to undergo stringent child protection screening including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS (or equivalent) is required.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

The safeguarding responsibilities of this post are detailed in the candidate information brochure.

RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.