We are looking for a passionate and thoughtful educator to lead our Indie School in Fairfield.
Our strengths-based approach, smaller class sizes and skilled staff facilitate greater student engagement, allowing young people to develop in all learning areas, including academic, social and emotional spheres.
As Head of School in Fairfield, the successful candidate will work closely with other Heads of School and the Executive Principal New South Wales to facilitate the Indie Way through the creation and delivery of high-quality holistic learning programs.
The foundations of the Indie Way lie in adult education philosophies. Choice, autonomy, mutual respect and accountability all play a significant role in our approach. Our educational model combines high expectations and authentic connections to create an optimal learning environment where young people can make meaningful progress in all areas of their lives.
Indie School provides students the opportunity to learn in a supportive environment using individualised learning and education plans, tailored to each student's own education and life circumstances. Smaller class sizes allow students greater opportunity to identify their strengths and work to improve areas in which they lack confidence.
The greatest difference between Indie School and many other alternative education settings is that our foundations lie in Adult Education philosophies. Choice, independence, mutual respect and accountability all have a significant role to play. In return for higher levels of self-responsibility, the students can enjoy some greater freedoms.
Core Workplace Objectives:
- Actioning approved Development Plan and Indie School model.
- Policy and Procedure implementation. Provide recommendations for change to State Principal and/or Executive Principal for Quality and Compliance approval.
- Draft production of Annual Indie School (or Campus) Report.
- Staff management including recruitment (as per approved Development Plan), annual performance reviews and disciplinary action, as needed.
Workplace Tasking & Key Responsibilities:
- Ensure compliance against Indie standard operating procedures, including the development and implementation of school policies and procedures.
- Manage the day-to-day running of the allocated location(s), including student and staff support and management.
- Manage a functional unit with a complex set of objectives and significant resources, including operational responsibilities of defined teams.
- Assist with efficiency analysis, applying solution-focused approach to managing inefficiencies and with regard for quality and compliance aspects.
- Assist with planning, proposals and implementations of school improvements, demonstrating proficiency within the work area’s existing rules, regulations, procedures and systems.
- Undertake high-level creative and effective planning, programming and managerial functions, with clear accountability for performance and outcomes.
- State regulatory body liaison, including ongoing compliance with school registration and auditing requirements.
- School data collection, review and reporting, as per internal and external timelines and requirements.
- Expenditure as per approved budget, including the development of complex projects of $300k plus.
- Comprehensive knowledge of relevant and related Indie programs.
- Subject teaching, as per employment contract and/or as required.
For this position, applicants must:
- Have a deep understanding of effective teaching, learning and classroom management practices.
- Demonstrated experience as an exemplary teacher.
- Demonstrated capacity for educational leadership within a school setting.
- Demonstrated ability to lead a team and to work within a team.
- Demonstrate high level decision making skills with minimal consultation to upper Management.
- Provide high level solutions to problems are provided and followed through with improvement of outcomes.
For this position, applicants must, or be willing and able to, provide:
- National Police Check (issued within 3 months prior to appointment) and renewed annually.
- Relevant State Working with Children’s Check.
- Current Driver’s licence.
- Qualification in Teaching.
- Hold a current NESA Teacher Registration.
Benefits and Perks:
- Company vehicle provided.
- As a registered Public Benevolent Institution (PBI), we offer access to salary packaging via Maxxia: up to $15,900 per (FBT) year (plus up to $2,650 for meals & entertainment) to significantly boost your take-home pay!
- 15 days of paid personal leave, plus comprehensive paid parental leave provisions.
- Unlimited access to a complimentary wellness program via Sonder for both you and your immediate family, featuring confidential, professional counselling, diverse mental health resources, and broader wellbeing initiatives designed to support personal and family resilience.
- Travel opportunities to visit other sites across Australia.
- Uniform, laptop and mobile phone provided.
Remuneration:
- $170,883 per annum in accordance with the Indie Education Enterprise Agreement 2026 - 2029, Level 13
- A company laptop and phone are provided with this position
- A company car will be provided with this position
- Salary packaging through Maxxia
Ready to Apply:
- Clicking “Apply” will redirect you to Indie School’s recruitment portal. From there, click the “Apply” again to start your application.
- For any enquiries please contact Stephanie King, Executive Principal NSW, via email: stephanie.king@indie.edu.au.
- Please apply by 16 April 2026. Applications will be reviewed upon submission. Interviews and appointment may occur prior to close date.