Head of Primary – British Section, Lycée International Paris

This is a fascinatingly different Early Years and Primary leadership role. There is the potential to make a significant impact in the unique educational setting of the British Section of the Lycée International.

The British Section is the largest of the fourteen international sections within the Lycée International, one of France’s most successful schools, situated 25km west of Paris in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The British Section has 840 students across Primary and Secondary and is a vibrant, supportive and inclusive community. It is governed as a separate non‑profit association within the wider Lycée International structure. The new Head of Primary will succeed Susan Woodward, who is retiring after 14 years of dedicated service.

Leading within such a unique structure requires care, creativity and, perhaps above all, adaptability. British Section students are either full‑time students of the Lycée International and partner schools – admitted through the Section but spending only part of their time learning within it – or externé students, joining the British Section from their local French school for two‑half days per week. Time in the British Section is focused on English language and literature and some history and geography. However, it is much more than that: British Section students and their families treat the Section as their home and they identity with it. Continuing to foster a sense of community and belonging will be an important priority for the Head of Primary.

Under the leadership of James Cathcart, the British Section has established an outstanding reputation for delivering British and anglophone elements of a bilingual and bicultural education. The Section plays an influential role within the Lycée International and beyond, in British education in France, and in bilingual schools more generally. There is potential to do more and the Section’s vision includes a commitment to the Lycée becoming a laboratoire of international educational research. As part of the British Section’s Senior Leadership Team, the new Head of Primary must be enthusiastic about finding ways for the Section, and for Primary in particular, to become even more innovative and influential.

The role requires a combination of pedagogical, strategic and community leadership. The Head of Primary will require the experience to deliver this, but they also should have the confidence, flexibility and humility to understand the context, appreciating where their experience is not relevant as much as where it is. As the Section further develops, the new Head will also need to support the Primary team through change. They will work in close partnership with the Director, other members of the Senior Leadership, senior leaders within the French partner schools, and leaders and teachers elsewhere within the Lycée, as well as with a diverse community of families.

The role will suit a candidate who is attracted by the challenge of a very different educational environment, but one that is characterised by high ambition. The Head of Primary will need to be creative and visionary, but also hands‑on and very present in the day‑to‑day life of the Section. They will be enthusiastic about keeping abreast of latest educational thinking, but discriminating in understanding what will work best in the British Section’s distinctive context. They should also be comfortable leading a small team while recognising that the potential for influence and impact is far greater than with most teams of a similar size. Proficiency in French would be a significant advantage; a commitment to learning French is a minimum expectation.

The position is available from August 2026, but for the right candidate, a January start may be possible.

The British Section is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to DBS / casier judiciaire (France) checks. The safeguarding responsibilities of the role are indicated in the candidate information. RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.