Job Description
Purpose of the Role
- The Head of Primary will lead the design, launch and ongoing management of Brighthouse Academy's Primary section. This is a start-up leadership role: the successful candidate will build the curriculum, systems, culture and team from an early stage, rather than inherit an existing operation. The role combines academic leadership, people leadership, and hands-on administrative and financial-administration responsibility.
Key Responsibilities
Curriculum Design & Educational Leadership
- Design and set up the Primary section's structure (classes, streams, timetable, academic calendar) from scratch.
- Develop an original, locally-grounded mixed curriculum — not an unmodified 'out of the box' import — that blends best practice from national/international frameworks with Kogi State and Nigerian local content, culture, and context.
- Build variety and creativity into curriculum delivery: project-based learning, local-content modules, literacy and numeracy foundations, and enrichment activities.
- Set and monitor academic standards, schemes of work, and assessment frameworks across all Primary year groups.
- Continuously review and improve curriculum and pedagogy based on learner outcomes and community context.
People Leadership & Capacity Building
- Join in the recruitment, induction, and training of Primary teaching and support staff.
- Supervise and manage the performance of Primary teaching and support staff.
- Design and deliver ongoing teacher training and professional development, particularly in curriculum delivery methods that are new to staff.
- Coach, mentor and inspire teachers to adopt creative, learner-centred teaching practices.
- Model strong classroom practice and lead by example in teaching quality.
- Build a positive, high-expectation, child-safe school culture within the Primary section.
Operations, Administration & Resource Management
- Oversee day-to-day administration of the Primary section: pupil records, attendance, timetabling, reporting to parents/guardians.
- Manage basic financial administration for the section — budgeting input, expenditure tracking, procurement requests, and accountability for funds/resources allocated, in line with Brighthouse Academy's non-profit financial policies.
- Manage school assets relevant to the Primary section (furniture, learning materials, equipment) — maintaining inventories and ensuring proper use and upkeep.
- Ensure compliance with relevant Nigerian basic-education regulations and Kogi State education requirements.
Community & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the main point of contact for Primary parents/guardians and the local community.
- Represent the Primary section to the Head of School, Board/Trustees, donors and external partners as required.
- Build relationships with the local community to source and validate local content for the curriculum.
Person Specification
Essential
- B.Ed (Primary Education), B.A/B.Sc + PGDE, or equivalent; a Master's degree is gives you a high advantage.
- TRCN certificate if required; additional certifications give you an added advantage.
- Proven experience setting up or launching a school, department or section from the ground up.
- Demonstrated curriculum development experience, including incorporating local/community content into formal curricula.
- Strong record as a school leader/manager — staff supervision, performance management, and team development.
- Working knowledge of basic financial administration (budgeting, expenditure tracking, accountability) and asset management.
- Experience training, coaching and developing teachers.
- Excellent administrative and organisational skills.
- Genuine commitment to inclusive, tuition-free, community-focused education.
- A recognized teaching qualification and relevant experience at primary level.
Desirable
- Experience working within a non-profit or NGO-run school.
- Familiarity with Nigerian basic education standards and Kogi State education context.
- Postgraduate qualification in education leadership/management, curriculum studies, or related field.
- Experience designing original teaching materials rather than relying on standard published schemes.