Founding Principals – VIBGYOR World Academy, Nagpur and Bhopal

Two fascinating headship opportunities to be at the heart of the expansion of international schools in India.

VIBGYOR Group of Schools, one of India’s leading K-12 school groups, is seeking Founding Principals for its first World Academy schools in Nagpur and Bhopal. VIBGYOR is highly-regarded for its innovative and forward-thinking approaches to curriculum and pedagogy and the VIBGYOR World Academy will be an important strategic development for the group.

Established in 2004, VIBGYOR has been a trend-setter in India, fostering academic excellence through a genuinely holistic education based on best practice from education systems worldwide. Its approach draws heavily on liberal arts traditions, with a strong focus on technology, student well-being and inclusion.

VIBGYOR has two established K-12 brands that encompass 36 schools: the all-Indian VIBGYYOR Roots and Rise schools, and the VIBGYOR Kids and High schools, which offer the option of a Cambridge pathway leading to IGCSEs and A-levels. The new World Academy will be premium international schools, with excellent academic facilities, integrated technology, high-level programmes in the arts and sports, and a focus on innovation. They will be Cambridge International Examinations schools from the primary years on. The Cambridge curricula will be delivered alongside VIBGYOR’s existing bespoke curriculum, tailored for a more international context and designed to prepare students for life. Students will have the opportunity to pursue higher education in India or explore international options.

The first two World Academy schools will open in the academic year 2025-26, initially with K-grade 5 and an anticipated initial intake of 230. Both schools are expected to expand by adding a grade each year, up to a capacity of 1,200-1,500. While they will open as Cambridge schools, VIBGYOR may consider other curriculum options as the schools evolve. Like other Principals in the group, the two international Principals will have a high level of autonomy in leading their own schools, supported by a well-resourced central infrastructure.

With the demand for international schools expected to grow dramatically in India, and numerous new schools being planned to meet this demand, the VIBGYOR World Academy offers something different: the chance to develop these new international schools within a well-established and well-resourced group, known for its quality and for innovation. For candidates, this offers the excitement of being part of the development of a new market but within a more secure context.

These positions will suit candidates who have the instincts for founding in a largely untested environment. This will require an adventurous spirit, combined with a deep understanding of and commitment to the fundamental elements of a high-quality international school serving a national audience. The successful candidates will combine vision with an eye for the detail of what makes a good school function well; they will be enthusiastic about the big picture, but have no hesitation engaging with the practical aspects of founding a school. They will be excited by the possibilities of India, possess a high degree of cultural curiosity and adaptability, and value being part of an established group. Experience of primary leadership within a whole school environment, and preferably of building beyond the primary level, will be a distinct advantage.

VIBGYOR is committed to offering competitive packages for these two positions. While the preference is for appointment in January 2025, a later start date may be considered for the right candidate.

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.

The deadline for the receipt of applications is Wednesday 30 October 2024 at 10:00 (UK) / 15:30 (India)

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 uploading your application documents, please contact Alison Hooper, Project Coordinator, at applications@rsacademics.com. Alison can also be reached by calling +44(0)1858 383163.

VIBGYOR is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its employees and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding and child protection issues will be discussed throughout the appointment process and candidates must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including reference checks with previous employers and criminal records and social media checks.

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 the role are indicated in the candidate information.

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