Head of Primary

Founded in August 2017, HIKSVS International School is a leading co-educational British curriculum day school in Tianjin, China, owned by Hopeland International Education Group, a highly successful Chinese-owned independent education provider.  Their strong partnership with the historic and highly successful Sutton Valence School in Kent, UK, one of England’s leading independent schools, underpins almost all that the school does. 

The Hopeland Group was founded in 2001 by Mrs Fenglan Wang in Tianjin. HIK Group has been focused on providing exceptional-quality, private kindergarten services for the past 20 years in China, where it is now a premier brand in the sector. The Group currently operates three kindergartens, with an associated educational farm.

Since it opened in 2017, HIKSVS International School has become a high-quality, leading co-educational day school, building on the excellence of the HIK Kindergartens established in Tianjin. The school currently serves over 400 children aged 6-18 years old. It is a member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS).

Having operated as a preparatory school since 2017, in August 2025 a senior school was launched, for students aged 13-18 years and the whole school will have an eventual capacity of 1,200 students. The senior school is a non-selective bilingual school, following the British curriculum, adapted to follow domestic regulations, leading to both IGCSE and A-Level examinations as well as the Chinese Gaokao examinations, enabling students to go on to the university of their choice, either in China or internationally. The school provides a strong focus on English language acquisition, ensuring that all students are well prepared for their future and have the opportunity to follow their chosen educational journey.

Working in partnership with Sutton Valence School in the UK, HIKSVS International School is a venture in which two foundations, two traditions, and two educational philosophies, with the common goal of excellence in delivering a holistic and academic education, are developed as one, in a single school. The synergy and energy created by such a project make it very exciting. HIKSVS International School brings together the very best of western and eastern educational methods, drawing on traditions of both cultures – serving both international students and domestic Chinese students equally through a dual curriculum, with a number of integrated subjects and activities delivered by its first-class teaching departments.

HIKSVS International School is a forward-thinking school with a focus on preparing students for a rapidly changing world.  At the heart of the school is its commitment to the Four Journeys: Academic, Enrichment, Leadership and Service, and Community which closely replicates those in their sister school. These ensure all students receive a well-rounded international/bilingual education.  Students will develop their skills, abilities and talents in HIKSVS and use it as a springboard for future study, whether locally in China or internationally.

The school promotes English as a medium of communication for both academic and professional life while at the same time promoting a strong international and intercultural understanding.  They have high expectations for their community and their aim is to develop resilience, independence, critical thinking and kindness in all their students.

HIKSVS International School is a very exciting and unique place to work. The vision for the School is distinctive and compelling, offering the Sutton Valence ethos of ‘Four Journeys’ and blending the very best of educational practice from western and eastern traditions.

Working for HIKSVS International School provides the opportunity to live in a beautiful city, work in a school located near the most wonderful lake and parkland, develop your professional practice through their blend of educational traditions, and most importantly to play a key role in creating and developing a leading school in China.

The Governors and Executive Principal of HIKSVS International School are seeking to appoint an outstanding and experienced Head of Primary, to commence in August 2026, to provide leadership of the thriving international primary school. This key role will be a wonderful opportunity to develop the primary school, during a very exciting period of development in the educational sector in China, with the support of an experienced and dedicated leadership team and Governing Board.