Academy Founding Head

Founding Head, The Academy (Amanokrom, Eastern Region, Ghana) Redda Group has been retained by the Foundation to lead this search. Build a school from scratch. The Academy is a new, selective, co-educational IB boarding school for Grades 6 to 12 (ages 11 to 18), opening September 2028 on the Akuapem Ridge, about 80 minutes from Accra. Every place is earned on merit. Fee-paying and scholarship students learn, live and compete together as equals. It’s an elite international education grounded in Ghanaian values, with a Christian ethos that welcomes students of every faith. The school was founded by a family foundation in memory of the founder’s mother, a local teacher turned international trader. As Founding Head, you’ll arrive a year before the first students and set the culture, team and standards from day one. What you’ll do Before opening (from July 2027) Define the school’s culture around six values: Excellence, Enterprise, Curiosity, Creativity, Leadership and Compassion Lead the school through IB candidacy and authorisation for the MYP (2028) and DP (2029) Write the teaching and learning framework and complete the school’s policy set, including safeguarding Recruit the senior team and founding IB teachers, and design a pathway to train Ghanaian graduates into qualified IB teachers Set admissions policy for entry at Grades 6 and 9, and be the public face of the school to families in Ghana, West Africa and the diaspora Hold sign-off on educational input to the campus design (labs, workshops, arts spaces, boarding houses) From opening (September 2028) Run the whole school: education, boarding, staff, results and reputation Hold ultimate responsibility for safeguarding and student welfare Take the first cohorts through to their first Diploma results Grow the roll from around 80 toward 660 without compromising quality Report quarterly to the Foundation’s Board About you Essential Previous experience as Head or Principal, accountable for results, staff, safeguarding and budget Senior leadership in an IB World School running both the MYP and DP A strong record in safeguarding, including residential settings A proven record of developing teachers, including early-career staff Emotional intelligence and a record of shaping school culture Alignment with the school’s values and comfort leading a Christian-ethos, multi-faith community Willingness to live on campus in Amanokrom Desirable Boarding leadership experience Start-up or IB authorisation experience Experience in West Africa or Ghana Experience with mixed fee-paying and scholarship intakes IB workshop leader, examiner or visit team experience Twi, French or another relevant language A postgraduate qualification in education or educational leadership This is a long-term commitment. We’re looking for someone who wants to build this school over seven to ten years or more, not a short posting. The initial term is five years, renewable. What we offer A competitive package in line with headships at leading IB boarding schools in West Africa On-campus accommodation, medical cover, flights, relocation, and a pension or gratuity arrangement Real authority over the school, and the chance to shape it from its first day To apply Send your CV and a letter outlining your interest by 1 December 2026 to blanche@reddagroup.com . First-round interviews will be online before the end of 2026, and final interviews will be in person in Accra in January 2027. <