ASSISTANT HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

**Position Description**

Job Title Assistant Head of Junior

School

Commencement Semester 2, 2026

Classification Essington Leader Level EL2

Salary $155,571 per annum Job Type Permanent, Full Time

Website www.essington.nt.edu.au Location Darwin, Northern Territory

Contact Tania Johnson hr@essington.nt.edu.au

**Context Statement**

The Essington School (Essington) was established in 1989 and offers high quality childcare, preschool, early

childhood, junior and senior school programs. The school is parent-led, non-denominational and co-

educational with a reputation for innovation and high-quality learning outcomes at a national and international

level.

Essington is committed to delivering a world class education built on a foundation of high standards and

respectful relationships. We foster a culture of excellence, underpinned by our school values and a focus on

achievement and wellbeing. In partnership with our community, we provide a comprehensive pathway from

preschool to Year 12, ensuring our young people have every opportunity to reach their potential and engage

positively in the world beyond.

**Position Objective**

The Assistant Head of Junior School provides day to day support to the Head of Junior School in the

management and operation of the Junior School. The role is focused on providing quality instructional

leadership specific to curriculum, assessment and reporting practices. All responsibilities are carried out in

alignment with, and in active commitment to, the school’s values.

**Position activities**

Leadership

• Advocate for the school's strategic direction and goals, aligning the curriculum plan, and assessment

and reporting processes to the School Improvement Plan

• Support the Head of Junior School to provide leadership on learning and student wellbeing

outcomes including proactively engaging with parents

• Report regularly to the Head of Junior School on performance and areas for continuous

improvement

Teaching and Learning

• In partnership with the Head of Improvement and Innovation, lead initiatives within the school to

evaluate and improve knowledge of content and teaching strategies and provide reporting on the

effectiveness of the evidence-based teaching and learning programs

• Support staff to develop data literacy and embed the use of a range of teaching and learning data

as part of classroom practice

• Lead professional learning communities within the Junior School. This may include the co-

ordination of evidence-based extra-curricular initiatives and assessments, or teaching pedagogies

that improve students’ academic or social and emotional development

• Collaborative with the Head of Junior School and relevant staff to develop and implement whole

school assessment and reporting strategies and processes aligned to the whole school curriculum

plan with an emphasis on improving student academic rigor, critical thinking, and analytical skills

• Oversee and support subject teachers to develop Learning and Assessment Plans, meeting

periodically to review and adjust for effectiveness

Organisational Leadership

• Support with professional learning activities and staff meetings aligned to the Schools

Improvement Plan

• Support growing enrolments and retention of students by leading school tours and speaking to

new and current parents

• Manage timetabling, scheduling, and Emergency Relief Teachers to ensure efficient operations

and optimal resource allocation

• Assist with whole school events, Open Days, Parent/Teacher interviews
• In partnership with the Head of Junior School, provide dates relating to Year Level activities to the

school calendar, term planners and other whole school organisational requirements

• Any other duties as directed by the Head of Junior School

**Skills, Competencies, Values and Attributes**

Essential

• Demonstrated expert knowledge of the Australian Curriculum and local and national standards for

assessment and reporting, and experience in developing and implementing effective strategies and

processes for curriculum, assessment and reporting

• Demonstrated ability to lead the planning and implementation of high impact teaching strategies

that respond to student learning needs; and the ability to support teachers to evaluate the impact

of teaching and learning programs on student learning growth

• Demonstrated exemplary ability to monitor and assess student learning at a class, cohort or sub-

school level and use this data to lead improvement initiatives; supporting others in using data to

inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to

students and parents

• Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to lead

collaborative relationships with students, colleagues, parents and the broader school community

focused on student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement

• Proven contemporary knowledge, skills and experience in a junior school setting or equivalent

context; including leading the development and delivery of innovative and high-quality teaching

and learning programs and staff professional learning, resulting in improved student outcomes

• High-level collaboration, organisational and time management skills, with attention to

documentation and compliance requirements

• Hold a degree and/or postgraduate qualifications in Education
• Northern Territory Teacher Registration (TRB)
• Working with Children Clearance (WWCC) ‘Ochre Card’ - employment is conditional on compliance

with the Care and Protection of Children Act (NT) 2007, as amended, and the accompanying

regulations

• National Police Clearance, maintained for the duration of employment

**Accountabilities**

Code of Conduct

• Ensure strict adherence to Staff and Student Appropriate Conduct
• Present and conduct self in a manner consistent with the school ethos and policies
• Be alert to and immediately challenging instances of harassment, prejudice and inequity
• Be alert to and acting upon instances endangering student safety
• Be punctual and diligent in playground and other supervisory duties
• Encourage students to meet expectations for appropriate behaviour
• Be courteous, firm, consistent and fair in dealings with students
• Challenge inappropriate behaviour and discipline students as appropriate
• Respond appropriately to breaches of the school’s behaviour management and uniform policies
• Serve as a good ambassador of the school including strict adherence to staff dress code

Confidentiality

• Maintain professional confidentiality concerning information regarding staff and/or students and

their families

Duty of Care

• Maintain a duty of care for students at all times and actively contribute to a safe, positive, and

productive learning environment.

Compliance

• Commitment to upholding the Philosophy, Mission, Vision and Values of the school
• Be informed of Work Health and Safety Legislation and associated requirements
• Follow safe working procedures developed for the school
• Report any hazards identified throughout the school to the WHS Representative
• Ensure all documentation is prepared and presented in accordance with the school’s Style Guide

**Reporting**

• The Assistant Head of Junior School will report directly to the Head of Junior School.
• Under the direction of the Principal, in accordance with the Australian Professional Standards for

Teachers

**Appointment Conditions**

• This role is a full-time position and will require attendance on school business at a variety of

locations at any time of the day or week, teaching responsibilities may apply

• You must work within school hours (business hours) and acknowledge that working outside of these

hours is part of your role and has been taken into consideration when setting the remuneration

package

• Your performance and remuneration package will be reviewed at three months and again at six

months following commencement. These reviews may or may not result in a salary adjustment, at

the discretion of the Business Manager

• Superannuation Guarantee contributions at the current rate of 12% will be paid by the school in

addition to salary

The Essington School offers employment benefits, including reduced tuition fees for family members and

increased stand-down periods.

This job description is intended as a framework for performance review conducted by the Head of Junior

School who reserves the right to amend roles, responsibilities, and requirements as necessary to meet the

operational needs of the school.

Applications must include a detailed resume and a one-page summary addressing your suitability to the

position.