The International Schools Review Forum

It seems to me, indeed have heard second hand, that there is a glut in admin. candidates this year...... any confirmation of that? Been casting about to move from assistant admin. up, but everything seems closed up tight. Anyone?

It is just another cycle. Here are a few possibilities:
- All those experienced teachers/HODs/ IB coordinators suddenly realised to move up the ladder for more money, freedom and power or just frustrated with their current schools or supervisors. They feel they could make better decisions in a new setting if they have the same authority as their current bosses.
- Elementary and middle school principals at elite schools are moving to Head of School positions at relatively smaller schools.
- Admin who spent considerable time in less desirable locations (Africa/ME) moving to S.E.Asia and Europe.
- More admin from N.America going international, thanks to budget cuts and red-tape back home.

Every year some subjects have a glut, and others a shortage. It changes from year to year and there is no predicting what subjects will be over subscribed and which under subscribed. Good luck with your search.

Remember that admin normally follows what I refer to as the Merry Go Round. One admin leaves - which then opens a position. That's filled by another admin at another school when again opens another position and so on. Admin positions at the better schools are normally filled quite early - preferably before normal teaching positions.

As admin is a more specialised position - it's a bit more fickle in relation to positions available. Some years there are a lot - some years there are few. I guess the main thing is it's harder to crack into the Tier 1 admin positions if you don't have international experience compared to a normal teaching position (unless it's a national school like British or American).

It is larger, and in addition to the cyclic nature of IE, there is an increase in junior admin positions that have been created. The profession is seeing more coordinators who are hired solely for TLR roles as opposed to release time vacancies. IE is also seeing easier access and marketing by various recruiting agencies that are making leadership roles more accessible.

For what it is worth, my school has been conducting a search for a principal. In reviewing the databases, the quantity is high, but the quality is not. Given the expansion we have seen in recent years in the total number of schools, there is a corresponding increase in the overall number of admin or admin like positions, which would increase the pool.

Having said that, there were a high number of admin. candidates who have mediocre or weak references. I would encourage you to keep applying. Note, however, that many vice-principal positions are filled from within.