Vice Principal (Starting Aug 2026) - West Island School

West Island School is a premier international school in Hong Kong, dedicated to providing a high-quality education that fosters inquiry, collaboration, and personal growth. With a diverse team of about 160 full-time staff representing over 16 nationalities, our community is proactive, passionate, and supportive, making it an exciting place to live and work. 

West Island School is seeking to appoint a dynamic, committed, and reflective professional to join our Senior Leadership Team:

• Significant leadership and management experience with strong interpersonal skills and a proven track record of innovative practices.
• A commitment to our vision, “Find your passion, realise your potential,” valuing inclusiveness and fostering a supportive environment for all students.
• Dedication to high academic achievements and the promotion of multiple pathways, ensuring a holistic education for every learner.

Key Responsibilities

The role provides opportunities for strategic leadership, and managing a range of teams across different areas of the school.

The Appointed Candidate Will:

• Consistently champion and uphold the school’s core values and foster supportive relationships.
• Support the school’s vision of “find your purpose, realise your potential” and the IB Learner profile.
• Develop and articulate a shared vision and strategic development plan for the school and lead colleagues in achieving this.
• Create an atmosphere of mutual trust where collaboration, discussion, debate and teamwork are promoted within the school.
• Model exemplary professional practice.
• Contribute to the development of West Island School as a professional learning community, fostering a spirit of inquiry, innovation, professional learning and reflection.
• Promote high standards and expectations through supporting the performance of colleagues through coaching.
• Model learning and leadership at all times by being a highly reflective practitioner. 

The responsibilities of the role will be linked to the skills and experience of the successful applicant. This position is likely to provide leadership and strategy directly or indirectly in these areas:

• Pastoral care (safeguarding, child protection, wellbeing)
• Parent and community engagement
• Trips and extra-curricular activities 
• Curriculum and Assessment
• Staff development and coaching
• Strategic development

This role has a teaching commitment of approximately 25%

Educational Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Education or Bachelor Degree in a teaching subject with PGDE/PGCE or equivalent.
• 5 years teaching experience within a recognised educational organization; significant experience in a prominent leadership role, demonstrating the ability to inspire and manage a team effectively.
• Additional strengths and experiences will be taken into account to encourage flexibility across the team.

Professional Skills and Abilities

• Be a highly relational leader who can understand perspectives. 
• Have a track record of putting students at the heart of all decisions
• Be visionary, innovative and forward thinking about education.
• Have had significant successful experience in leadership and experience of motivating and inspiring others.
• Have demonstrated creativity, energy and drive in education.
• Be committed to school improvement and school evaluation.
• Be committed to inclusive practices.
• Be committed to student wellbeing, safeguarding and child protection.
• Have a proven record of how to create and manage change.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Have professional integrity and give trust to others.

Benefits

In return for your passion and dedication to delivering quality education, we offer:

• A highly competitive salary.
• Gratuity and housing allowance.
• Passage and healthcare benefits.
• Subsidised school places for your children.
• Security and opportunities provided by being part of the English Schools Foundation.

Recruitment Timeline:

• Application Deadline: Monday, 27th October 2025.
• First-round Recorded video interviews will follow.
• Second-round interviews will take place online during the weeks commencing 3rd and 10th November 2025.
• Final interviews will be held in Hong Kong during the week commencing 5th January 2026.

For more information, please refer to the ESF Terms and Conditions and our School Website. 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, HR Manager: Rathi NandaKumar – rathi.nandakumar@wis.edu.hk

Learn More About Us

To get a deeper insight into teaching at West Island School and our vibrant community, watch our introductory video Teaching at West Island School

Please read this document about our incredible school – a lot happens at West Island School! Please have a read and think if this is the type of school you would like to work at and be part of its community. West Island School at a Glance

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and offers may be extended prior to the job closing date. We strongly recommend early applications as we reserve the right to appoint candidates earlier than the closing date.

By applying for this position, your application may be considered for other opportunities (senior-level roles, head of department, etc.) within ESF.

ESF is an Equal Opportunities Employer

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is fully committed to providing equal employment opportunity. ESF will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, colour, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, religion, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, creed, citizenship or any other status protected by local laws or regulations.

Personal data provided by job applicants will be used strictly in accordance with the ESF's Personal Data Policy, a copy of which will be provided upon request.

ESF is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students in our care and expects all applicants to uphold this commitment. We adhere to rigorous recruitment practices, with all appointments contingent upon an interview, identity verification, criminal background checks (including ICPC, SCRC, and other international background checks as appropriate), assessment of social media presence, and positive references.

In accordance with the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 guidelines, ESF may perform online checks for all shortlisted candidates prior to the interview.

  seniorstaff SeniorOpportunities SeniorLeadership
  The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is the largest English-medium international school organisation in Hong Kong. Our 22 schools and comprehensive programme of extra-curricular activities bring out the best in every student through a personalised approach to learning and by inspiring curious minds.

There are over 18,000 students from 75 different nationalities in ESF kindergartens, primary, secondary and all-through schools.  www.esf.edu.hk