HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: LIFE ORIENTATION
Start date: 1 January 2027
St Andrew’s College is an independent Anglican boys’ school offering a distinctive holistic education within a close-knit and vibrant school community. We are seeking an experienced, passionate and forward-thinking Head of Department: Life Orientation to lead and develop the Life Orientation programme across the College.
This is an exciting opportunity for an educator who understands that Life Orientation extends well beyond the classroom. The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting the personal, social, emotional, physical and ethical development of our boys while contributing meaningfully to the broader academic, pastoral and co-curricular life of the College.
THE ROLE:
The Head of Department: Life Orientation will provide academic leadership for the department and work collaboratively with colleagues across the College to ensure that our Life Orientation programme is relevant, engaging and responsive to the developmental needs of boys at different stages of their education.
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Leading, managing and developing the Life Orientation department and its staff.
- Providing strong academic leadership and ensuring high-quality teaching and learning.
- Developing and maintaining a relevant, engaging and appropriately challenging Life Orientation curriculum.
- Ensuring alignment with applicable curriculum and assessment requirements.
- Supporting teachers in their professional development and encouraging reflective and innovative teaching practice.
- Monitoring learner progress and using assessment information to inform teaching and curriculum development.
- Developing and supporting programmes that address boys’ personal, social, emotional and physical wellbeing.
- Working collaboratively with the pastoral, boarding, counselling, sport and academic teams to support the holistic development of learners.
- Facilitating meaningful learning and conversations around relationships, responsible decision making, digital citizenship, mental wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, identity, values and life beyond school.
- Contributing to the College’s broader character education and Anglican ethos.
- Participating actively in the wider life of the College and its co-curricular and pastoral programmes.
- Building positive and constructive relationships with learners, colleagues and parents.
- Contributing to broader academic and pastoral initiatives and strategic priorities across the College.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- A recognised teaching qualification and appropriate tertiary qualification in Life Orientation, Psychology, Education or a related field.
- SACE registration.
- Significant teaching experience, preferably including experience in a senior or departmental leadership role.
- A sound understanding of the South African curriculum and assessment requirements.
- Strong leadership, organisational and interpersonal skills.
- A genuine interest in and understanding of the development of adolescent boys.
- The ability to create a classroom environment in which boys feel respected, challenged and supported.
- An understanding of the importance of wellbeing, resilience, healthy relationships and responsible citizenship in boys’ education.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a diverse school community.
- A willingness to contribute enthusiastically to the broader life of a boarding school.
- The ability and willingness to coach rugby, hockey or water polo would be a distinct advantage.
- Alignment with the values and ethos of St Andrew’s College.
Experience in pastoral care, counselling, coaching, leadership development or related areas would be advantageous.
Candidates can apply by accessing and completing the application using the link below.
Closing date for applications: 23 October 2026
St Andrew’s College reserves the right not to make an appointment and to verify information provided by candidates.
Your application will be reviewed, and we will contact you after the closing date if you have been shortlisted for an interview.
St Andrew’s College, in line with POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act) will attempt to ensure the confidentiality of all applicants for this role. All reasonable measures will be in place to protect personal information but will be used in the recruitment, selection and reporting process. By submitting your application for this position, you are recognising and accepting this disclaimer.
St Andrew’s College is committed to Employment Equity and preference may be given to appointable applicants from the
underrepresented designated groups in terms of the School’s Employment Equity Policy.
ISASA