Senior School Librarian

At The Perse School Singapore, we cultivate a happy and nurturing environment that inspires students to develop a lifelong love of learning and prepares them for a fulfilling, successful future.

To deliver on our mission of inspiring students to love learning, we embrace The Perse Way — a distinctive educational approach developed over 400 years that places our values at the heart of everything we do.

We are seeking a passionate, resourceful, and forward-thinking Senior School Librarian to join our dynamic team in 2026. The ideal candidate will inspire creativity and confidence in students through engaging interactions, lessons, and co-curricular activities, fostering a love for the scholarship within an inclusive international community.

If you are interested in learning more about The Perse Way and exploring the opportunities available within our growing Senior provision, we invite you to express your interest by submitting your updated CV.

Key Responsibilities:

Library Leadership and Management

• Prepare, in collaboration with the Assistant Headteacher (Academic), the senior school library policy and development plan.

• Develop and manage the operation, systems, and procedures of the Senior School library in accordance with agreed policies and plans.

• Manage the senior school library budget, including researching resource availability and cost, making purchases, processing orders, and recording receipts and losses.

• Prepare and present financial, usage, and impact reports as required by the Leadership team.

• Supervise student librarians, ensuring effective teamwork and high standards.

• Maintain a tidy, accessible, and inspiring resource centre, including production and arrangement of relevant displays, notices, and reading promotions.

Curriculum Support and Academic Enrichment

• In liaison with teaching staff, ensure the availability of resources relevant to the super curriculum & Examined curriculum, including appropriate textbooks and workbooks ordered in the appropriate time and quantities.

• Develop, maintain, and use links with external library services, suppliers, and retailers to enhance and develop the school’s resources.

• In liaison with teaching staff, arrange and implement induction sessions for new Year 7 pupils and new staff. (Start of Academic Year)

• Promote library resources to staff and pupils through organisation of book weeks, author visits, reading challenges, newsletters, and other literacy initiatives.

• Lead and coordinate academic clubs and enrichment activities (e.g., reading groups, debate, research skills), with freedom to design and drive initiatives that extend learning beyond the classroom.

Student Conduct and Pastoral Responsibility

• Manage pupil conduct in the library in accordance with appropriate school policies, ensuring a quiet, purposeful environment for study and reading.

• Maintain high standards of behaviour in the library, with clear expectations that students follow directions (e.g., no gaming, respectful use of space and resources).

• Provide pastoral support and guidance to students using the library, promoting well-being, independence, and responsible use of learning spaces.

• Implement procedures for recovery of overdue and/or non-returned books

Administrative and Operational Duties

• Issue library books and maintain computerised library records.

• Catalogue and prepare new books and other resources

• Repair damaged books and other resources as appropriate.

• Participate in the performance and development review process, taking personal responsibility for identification of learning, development, and training opportunities in discussion with line manager.

• Attend required staff meetings, workshops, and school events, including some weekends and evenings.

• Participate in professional development and improvement committees to enhance library and information services practice.

Minimum Qualifications or Experience

• At least two years of experience in a school library or related educational support role, ideally within an international school environment.

• High levels of written and spoken English, with ability to write clear reports and communicate information unambiguously.

• Numeracy: ability to manage budgets and analyse usage data.

• Technology: Ability to maintain computerised library records and use administrative IT packages confidently.

• Motivation to work with teenagers and young people, forming appropriate relationships and boundaries.

• Experience working with learners who have English as an Additional Language (EAL), incorporating strategies to support language acquisition and accessibility.

• Ability to implement the school’s behaviour management policy to ensure appropriate conduct and behaviour of pupils whilst using the library.

Preferred Personal Competencies and Qualities:

• Shares and upholds the school’s values: intellectual curiosity, endeavour, breadth and balance, and valuing one another and the environment.

• Experience of delivering an efficient and effective school library service, ideally in a secondary or international school context.

• Experience of supervision of staff, volunteers, or student teams.

• Good understanding of the British/Cambridge school curriculum and how library resources support teaching and learning.

• Experience working with learners who have English as an Additional Language (EAL) and/or special educational needs (SEN), incorporating strategies to support language acquisition and accessibility.

• Ability to use clear, authoritative language to give instructions, negotiate with suppliers, and collaborate with staff, students, and parents.

• Strong organisational and time-management skills, effectively balancing operational, curricular, and extracurricular responsibilities.