Susan Julie Anderson

SISQ is a 3-18 year old international IB continuum school. It was commissioned by the Attorney General of Qatar to be the most elite in the country. 90% of students are from expatriate families and teaching staff are from around the globe.

Responsibilities;

• To support the Head of School and deputise in their absence to ensure all school operations run effectively according to school policies and procedures.
• To ensure the school's values were evident in the day-to-day life of the school and that a positive, inclusive and collaborative work culture was maintained
• To support the Business Manager with budget building, expenditure and the writing of policies and procedures for all non-academic functions within the school,
• To ensure teaching and learning are engaging and aspirational and students reach their full potential.
• Recruitment and staff orientation.
• To implement, review and update the school's strategic plan.
• To coordinate staff meetings and professional development.
• To establish a "Friends of SISQ" parent group.

Achievements:

• Established an elite school which has grown over the last 6 years from 30 to over 750 students and employs over 150 staff.
• Successfully steered the school through the IB authorisation process for the PYP, MYP and DP programmes.
• Coordinated with the Council of International Schools (CIS) to be awarded membership and led the accreditation process for the school. I was subsequently invited to be a CIS school accreditation evaluator.
• Managed the school Self Study report for Qatar National Schools Accreditation.
• Coached and mentored the senior leadership team and school middle leaders.
• Coordinated and implemented a successful professional development structure for all staff.
• Line managed the Health & Safety team to secure compliance certificates with Qatari and International standards and regulations.
• Steered the school through the COVID -19 pandemic as the appointed response person. All protocols were followed and updated as the status of the emergency changed. Liaised successfully with government departments and school medical staff to minimise risk and to ensure testing and quarantines were managed efficiently. Coordinated with. academic heads of departments resulting in minimum disruption to learning and high standards of learning continued both on-site and online.
• Led the Child Protection and Safeguarding team in creating policies and procedures which were showcased at a National conference and provided training for all school staff.
• Developed the school's "Learning Support and Student Well-being Team" resulting in a more inclusive admission policy.
• Oversaw the recruitment of academic and non-academic staff resulting in a high-performing staff team that was the best for the school. The first graduating class in 2021 enjoyed a 95% DP pass rate and 5 students were in top 10% percentile of academic results.
• Liaised with the HR team and minimised staff turnover.
• Approved student admissions maintaining an international student body and ensuring all students could access the curriculum.
• Managed concerns and complaints from staff and parents effectively maintaining a supportive school culture built on honesty and compassion.
• Oversaw communications from the school to home so parents were well-informed and involved in their child's learning as well as the ilife of the school
• Established a committed parent group which resulted in many successful school community events and cultural celebrations.

St John's is an elite school for international and local students from 2-18 years old. It was founded 54 years ago by the Faithful Companions Of Jesus. It offers all levels of the IB programme and AP courses. It is renowned in Europe for its academic success, as a high percentage of graduating students go on to attend major universities, as well as its sporting prowess in major competitions and its high level of achievement in the Arts. St John's flourished despite being outside of the capital, where there were several reputable international schools.

Responsibilities

• Deputising for the School Director
• Leading the executive leadership team in whole school matters
• Learning and academic standards
• Student and staff wellbeing
• School infirmary and nursing staff.
• The day-to-day operations of the elementary school
• Ensuring smooth transition phases for students.
• Upholding the Christian values of the school.
• Drive cultural change across the school environment.
• Improve marketing strategies and raise the school profile within the community.
• Manage the Elementary School budget.
• School accreditation and authorisation.
• Advisor to the school governing body

Achievements

• Demonstrated expert managerial capabilities through implementing strategic goals, developing learning programmes and recruitment enabling the smooth-running of the day-to-day operations of the elementary section.
• Created a more positive learning environment by; providing professional development; a robust teacher orientation programme; following through on staff evaluation procedures; highlighting teacher well-being; encouraging collaboration; empowering the middle leaders and implementing a transparent open door policy to grow staff satisfaction.
• Improved staff collaboration through interactive staff meetings, introducing trans-disciplinary projects and demonstrating team work, actively supporting the PE staff as a swim coach.
• Raised the school profile through getting involved with community and academic groups in the area and building trust with all stakeholders
• Developed teaching and learning and maximised student potential by introducing a transparent and effective analysis of assessment data, administering a curriculum review and implementing new programmes as required.
• Managed the effect, on the school, of a major terrorist attack on Brussels Airport and the city's underground rail network in the absence of the Director.
• Introduced an annual international trip for Year 4 students and supported the Arts department to participate in an annual international music and drama workshop for elementary students.
• Contributed to school improvement by coordinating the PYP re-evaluation process.
• Ensured thorough student safeguarding procedures were updated and implemented effectively for best-possible care provisions. whilst managing the school infirmary and nursing staff.
• Effectively communicated with parents via weekly newsletters and coffee mornings to ensure they were well informed of school events, their child's progress and had a better understanding of programme objectives.
• Operated effectively within the budget allocated to elementary section of the school.

Thuringia International School was established in 2000 and was a state government initiative to attract foreign investors and manufacturers to the rural area. The school offered the PYP Curriculum the Cambridge (UK) Middle School curriculum and IB diploma. The school underwent major construction in 2011 when the original building was replaced by a modern bespoke facility. The school had 400 students and the executive team was a team of three.

Responsibilities

• Advise the School Board on strategy and international standards.
• Support the Director and deputise in their absence.
• Oversee the academic leadership team; curriculum and assessment.
• School accreditation.
• Liaise with the Business Manager on strategic school improvement and budget.
• Admissions
• Recruitment
• Lead the Lower School team.
• Coordinate with the construction company to ensure a safe working environment during the building and transition process.
• Improve school-home relationships

Achievements

• Managed the construction plan and transition to the new facility without disrupting teaching and learning.
• Introduced year curriculum guides for parents.
• Introduced baseline assessment procedures for all primary and middle-year groups.
• Successfully coordinated the PYP self-study evaluation visit.
• Secured string relationships with international industries in the region. Grew the international student body by 20% and harnessed sponsorship and support for school events.
• Formed effective relations with the parent committee by hosting coffee mornings, afternoon teas and monthly evening dinners.

Riverside School was established in 1994 on the vision of two entrepreneurial businessmen from the UK. The school was built on Christian Values and served the expat community which was rapidly increasing as economic opportunities arose after the demise of the communist regime in the Czech Republic.

• Effectively led a team of 40 staff in all areas of educational leadership.
• Managed major flooding crises and the temporary location of the school.
• Acted as an advisor to the School Board
• Headed a Middle School Steering Committee to set up a new section of the school.
• CIS and NEASC accreditation coordinator.

• Full time class teacher.

• Managed departments with a weekly turnover in excess of one million UK pounds.