High School Education Program Lead (Arts and Design) - SPARK Support - 2026

About SPARK Schools:

Watch our Vision Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOU0TYnNsZo

Take a tour of our Website: https://sparkschools.co.za/

SPARK Schools is a social impact disruptor and is leading change in the education space through its network of affordable private schools. The SPARK Schools network provides transformational education innovation through Africa’s first blended learning model, which elevates student achievement and provides the tools teachers need to serve their students effectively.

The blended learning model, which combines classroom teaching and online instruction, allows teachers to anticipate student needs and equips schools to provide personalized education at an affordable cost. SPARK Schools is pioneering this transformative education model to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all.

SPARK Schools has a culture of collaboration, because getting South Africa to lead global education takes a team effort. We are innovators who strive for excellence through persistence and a sense of urgency to achieve SPARK Schools’ vision, mission and social transformational objectives. Our work environment is vibrant/cheerful, fast-paced/dynamic, engaging/stimulating, tech-enabled and data driven.

SPARK Schools is a high growth, mission and values-driven, entrepreneurial organisation, operating 21 primary schools and 5 high schools and serving over 15,500 families in 2025. We are looking for dynamic people to join our team.

Reports To: Associate Principal

Purpose of Role:

The Education Program Lead drives student achievement and educational excellence across SPARK Schools by leading the design, implementation, and monitoring of a future-focused, inclusive, and data-informed curriculum and assessment model. This role is pivotal in aligning instruction to national standards while integrating project-based learning, character education, technology, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Responsibilities:

Curriculum Leadership and Design

• Design and oversee an inclusive, interdisciplinary, and future-fit curriculum that incorporates project-based learning, SDG-related themes, and 21st-century competencies.
• Ensure alignment with national frameworks (CAPS)  and SPARK’s instructional models (e.g., blended and personalised learning).
• Create subject integration maps and pacing guides, and lead the development of instructional content for the online LMS.
• Design character-based learning resources that develop SPARK values: Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility, Kindness.
• Coordinate moderation plans and teacher resources that promote consistent instructional quality.

Assessment Strategy & Quality

• Lead a cohesive assessment framework (diagnostic, formative, summative, benchmark) aligned to curriculum goals.
• Develop, curate, and moderate internal and external assessments; monitor implementation and marking fidelity.
• Facilitate data-driven instruction by training staff to analyse student data for continuous improvement.
• Integrate online and classroom-based assessment data for a holistic view of scholar progress.

Support Matric Readiness and Exam Preparation:

• Lead efforts to prepare scholars for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, including coordinating mock exams, study sessions, and targeted academic support for Grade 12 scholars.
• Ensure that scholars are equipped with strong study skills, time management techniques, and a clear understanding of NSC requirements to meet a 100% pass rate target.
  

Capacity Building & Support

• Coach school leaders, instructional coaches, and teachers on curriculum design, pedagogy, and assessment literacy.
• Facilitate PD sessions based on curriculum gaps and observed teaching practices.
• Guide teachers in using technology tools and online platforms for personalised and collaborative learning.
• Conduct regular site visits, lesson observations, and book checks to support fidelity and improvement.

Data Informed Improvement

• Analyse academic data to identify trends, close learning gaps, and inform strategic planning.
• Lead termly and annual curriculum reviews and assessment audits across schools.
• Generate internal assessment schedules and reporting templates for performance tracking.

Innovation and Research

• Stay up-to-date on global trends in curriculum, educational technology, and competency-based learning.
• Pilot and evaluate STEAM, coding, SDG-aligned themes, and project-based learning innovations.
• Source and recommend innovative resources and interventions that promote academic equity.

Compliance and Academic Governance

• Represent SPARK in district, provincial, and national compliance forums (e.g. DBE, GDE, WCED, ISASA, UMALUSI).
• Support academic submissions (SA-SAMS, CEMIS, Valistractor) and ensure correct statutory documentation.
• Identify and escalate academic compliance risks while maintaining a positive relationship with education authorities.
• To engage and maintain relations with external stakeholders within the Education sphere i.e DOE, DBE, GDE, WCED, Districts, ISASA, UMALUSI, etc 
• To attend district meetings and maintain a healthy relationships with subject advisors, academic compliance manager and other academic compliance officials in the DOE, DBE, GDE, WCED, Districts, ISASA, UMALUSI, etc 
• Attend academic compliance meetings hosted by Umalusi, Isaasa or any other education governing body. 
• To uphold, maintain and appropriately store all statutory documents and records related to school compliance.
• To identify, investigate and correct any potential compliance risks associated with the operations of our school.
• Escalating risks relating to academic compliance

Daily Responsibilities (Schools Based Context)

• Collaborate with school leadership to monitor the daily implementation of curriculum plans and assessments.
• Conduct classroom walkthroughs or lesson observations to support instructional alignment and provide real-time feedback to educators.
• Meet with grade or subject leads to review learner data, plan interventions, and adjust instructional pacing.
• Provide coaching or support to teachers on curriculum delivery, differentiation, and assessment practices.
• Review and moderate learner workbooks, assessments, and portfolios for quality and consistency.
• Support the planning and execution of daily assessment schedules (e.g., quizzes, SBAs, or internal tests).
• Monitor the fidelity of lesson planning and shared instructional materials on platforms (e.g., Google Classroom, LMS).
• Engage with scholars to understand learning experiences and curriculum impact through surveys, focus groups, or learner voice activities.
• Attend school team huddles, instructional planning meetings, or data debriefs.
• Ensure curriculum boards, subject displays, and resource areas reflect current curriculum focus and learning objectives.

Requirements

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Honours or Master’s in Education preferred.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience coaching educators and supporting school-based instructional leadership.
• Experience in curriculum design, assessment strategy, and data analysis.
• Exposure to digital platforms, blended learning, and educational technologies.
• Strong understanding of the South African education context and compliance requirements.
  

Skills and Mindset:

• Strong desire to be part of a vibrant and dynamic technology-driven work environment fostering creativity, collaboration and an atmosphere that encourages and allows top performers to thrive.
• Strong desire to be part of a collaborative, team spirited and fast growing Social Impact Disruptor and Society Shaper who is leading change in the education space in South Africa through transformational education innovation, ensuring the accessibility of university and careers for all.
• Strong desire to be part of a learning culture with excellent career development and advancement opportunities supported by individualised professional development, support and mentorship.
• Ability, Desire and Passion to deliver high quality transformational education at affordable fees to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all.

SPARK values: Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility and Kindness

Benefits

SPARK offers:

• fair market linked remuneration

• performance-based annual bonuses and increases

• above average/good annual leave

• life, disability and funeral cover

• employee wellness support

• educational support & study leave

• individualised professional development, support and mentorship

• employee discount on school fees

• opportunities for career growth

Compensation: R30,000 ctc p/m

Locations: Randburg, Gauteng

Position Type: Permanent

SPARK schools is an equal opportunities employer and preference will be given to candidates from designated groups with due consideration of the company’s Employment Equity goals and targets.

SPARK schools encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

SPARK Schools may expire the posting of this advertisement at their own discretion.

Kindly note that should you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date please consider your application unsuccessful.