Job Description

Head of Primary School

Permanent full-time leadership position | 0.40 FTE teaching commitment | Commencement by negotiation

Lead with purpose. Teach with curiosity. Help every child flourish.

Brisbane Montessori School is seeking an accomplished and inspiring Montessori leader to become our next Head of Primary School.

This is an opportunity for an experienced educational leader to shape the future of our Primary School while remaining meaningfully connected to our children, our Montessori prepared environment and our community.

The Head of Primary School will provide educational, operational and people leadership across our Lower Primary and Upper Primary programs. The position includes a 0.40 FTE teaching commitment in a cover capacity, ensuring the successful applicant remains connected to classroom practice without carrying the responsibilities of a full-time Class Director.

We are looking for a leader who combines deep Montessori knowledge with warmth, sound judgement and the confidence to lead people through growth and change. You will support our Class Directors and education teams, strengthen consistency across the Primary School and help create an environment in which children and adults can do their best work.

About Brisbane Montessori School

Established in 1981, Brisbane Montessori School is an independent, co-educational school located approximately 12 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD.

Set within a beautiful natural environment overlooking the Brisbane River, our school provides children and young people with an authentic Montessori education in thoughtfully prepared learning environments.

Our community is inclusive, connected and committed to respecting each child’s individual developmental journey. We encourage intellectual curiosity, independence, creativity, responsibility and a genuine love of learning.

Our programs extend from early childhood through to secondary education:

• Montessori Independent Toddler Community
• Children’s House
• Lower Primary
• Upper Primary
• Middle School
• Senior School

The Montessori National Curriculum is mapped to the Australian Curriculum and provides the foundation for an educational approach that supports academic growth alongside each child’s social, emotional, ethical and physical development.

As Brisbane Montessori School enters its next stage of growth, the Head of Primary School will play an important role in strengthening educational quality, staff capability, family partnerships and continuity of learning across the school.

About the role

Reporting to the Principal, the Head of Primary School is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team which provides leadership across the 6–12-year developmental plane, working closely with our Head of Children’s House and Head of Secondary and our Director of Inclusion Support.

The role holds responsibility for the quality, consistency and development of the school’s Lower and Upper Primary programs. It brings together educational leadership, staff development, student wellbeing, curriculum oversight, operational coordination and authentic Montessori practice.

The Head of Primary School will work collaboratively with the Executive and Senior Leaders within the school.

The successful applicant will:

• Be the first point of contact for Primary staff and families, providing proactive and meaningful support;
• Provide visible, relational, proactive and values-led leadership across the Primary School;
• Inspire, mentor, coach and support Class Directors, Assistants and Specialist Teachers;
• Actively contribute to a culture in which children, families and employees feel safe, respected, included and heard.
• Protect and strengthen the integrity of Montessori philosophy and practice in our School;
• Lead the delivery of the Montessori National Curriculum as mapped to the Australian Curriculum;
• Maintain high expectations for teaching quality, student engagement and learning progress;
• Take on teaching responsibility equivalent to two days of classroom teaching across the Primary environments each week;
• Promote consistency and collaboration between and across Lower and Upper Primary environments;
• Support curriculum planning, assessment, moderation, reporting and record-keeping;
• Monitor student learning, attendance, engagement and wellbeing;
• Work closely with the Director of Inclusion to support and contribute to the support planning and behaviour guidance for students ensuring inclusive practice and appropriate adjustments;
• Support the enrolment funnel from Children House to Primary and Primary to Secondary, including facilitating effective transitions between developmental stages and Planes;
• Build respectful and constructive partnerships with parents and caregivers;
• Effectively lead Primary staff meetings, wider school professional learning and collaborative planning;
• Assist with recruitment, induction, professional development and performance processes;
• Support effective staffing, timetabling, resource allocation and day-to-day Primary operations;
• Contribute to school improvement planning, policy development and strategic priorities;
• Ensure practices comply with relevant education, child-safety, workplace and school requirements.

You are an experienced Montessori educator who understands that leadership is both strategic and deeply human.

You are comfortable observing a classroom, mentoring a colleague, analysing student information, speaking with a family and contributing to whole-school planning. You can hold high expectations while building trust, and you know how to guide improvement with clarity, fairness and respect.

You will demonstrate:

• deep knowledge of Montessori philosophy, pedagogy and the characteristics of the Second Plane of Development;
• a strong commitment to authentic, child-centred Montessori practice;
• tangible, proactive, effective and inspiring leadership experience;
• successful teaching experience within Montessori Primary environments;
• the ability to inspire, coach and develop educators;
• sound curriculum, assessment and instructional leadership capability;
• a commitment to inclusive education and culturally responsive practice;
• a strong understanding of child safety, student wellbeing and professional boundaries;
• sound judgement when managing sensitive, complex or confidential matters;
• confidence in supporting staff accountability and addressing performance concerns constructively;
• strong organisational and operational capability;
• excellent written and interpersonal communication skills;
• the ability to build respectful relationships with children, colleagues and families;
• emotional intelligence, integrity, resilience and professional courage; and
• a collaborative approach to working with the Principal and wider leadership team.

Essential requirements

Applicants must hold, or be able to obtain prior to commencing:

• current Queensland College of Teachers registration, or eligibility for registration;
• a recognised teaching qualification;
• a recognised Montessori qualification for the 6–12-year developmental plane;
• demonstrated Montessori Primary teaching experience;
• the relevant working-with-children clearance or exemption required for the position;
• current First Aid and CPR qualifications, or a willingness to obtain them.

Applicants must also be willing to participate in all required child-safety, mandatory reporting, workplace health and safety, and school compliance training.

Experience leading both Lower Primary and Upper Primary programs will be highly regarded.

What we offer

At Brisbane Montessori School, you will become part of a passionate community that values purposeful work, professional growth and genuine collaboration.

We offer:

• a permanent, full-time leadership position;
• a leadership and teaching balance, including a 0.40 FTE teaching commitment;
• employment conditions governed by the Brisbane Montessori School Enterprise Agreement;
• remuneration aligned with the applicable classification and leadership responsibilities;
• opportunities for Montessori professional learning and leadership development;
• access to an attractive staff wellbeing programme including weekly yoga and Employee Assistance Program;
• a welcoming and highly regarded Montessori community;
• beautiful natural surroundings and generous outdoor learning spaces;
• free onsite parking;
• eligible staff tuition benefits in accordance with school policy; and
• negotiable relocation assistance for an exceptional interstate applicant.

Our commitment to child safety

Brisbane Montessori School is committed to providing a child-safe and child-centred environment.

All employees are expected to uphold the school’s Child Safety and Wellbeing policies, Code of Conduct and professional standards. Appointment will be subject to satisfactory registration and screening checks, qualification verification, referee checks and any other pre-employment requirements relevant to the position.

Applicants must demonstrate a clear commitment to safeguarding children and young people, respecting student voice and creating culturally safe, inclusive learning environments.

How to apply

Please submit the following:

• a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and alignment with the requirements;
• a current curriculum vitae;
• evidence of relevant teaching and Montessori qualifications; and
• the names and contact details of at least three professional referees, including a current and at least one previous supervisor.

Applications should be addressed to the Principal. For a confidential discussion regarding the opportunity and the application process, please contact principal@bms.qld.edu.au

Brisbane Montessori School reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitable applicant before the advertised closing date so encourages early applications.

We are very proud of our School and warmly invite you to discover more about our vibrant community. To learn more, we encourage you to visit www.bms.qld.edu.au.