The Geert Groote College Amsterdam (GGCA) is a Waldorf secondary school with approximately 900 pupils (mavo, havo and vwo). Waldorf pedagogy focuses on the broad development of pupils: learning with the head, heart and hands. In addition to strong cognitive ambitions, the school offers a rich artistic and social curriculum.
Characteristic of our education is period education, in which pupils study one subject or theme intensively for three weeks. GGCA is part of Stichting Voortgezet Vrijeschoolonderwijs Noord-Holland (VVNH) and forms a learning community in which professional dialogue, joint responsibility and pedagogical quality are guiding principles.
The context
The GGCA is in a phase of development and recalibration. We are working specifically on a school climate in which transparency, clarity and predictability are self-evident and in which employees feel seen and can also be addressed. For the upper school we are therefore looking for a departmental leader who especially connects, brings peace and overview, contributes to a pleasant and professional working climate and can work in a strong process-oriented way.
The function
As departmental leader upper school (grade 10-12 / grade 4-6 havo and vwo), you are part of the school management, together with the rector, conrector of education and the three departmental leaders middle school, mavo and OOP. You will work closely with team coordinators and manage the upper school team and the sections.
You are responsible for the pedagogical and organisational cohesion in the upper school and contribute to the quality and continuity of education. You are visibly present, approachable for staff and pupils and work on the basis of trust, clear communication and joint responsibility.
Job requirements
Who we are looking forWe are looking for a connector: a committed and solid department leader who brings people together and contributes to a school in which cooperation, openness and reliability are the basis.
You:
- Creates a working environment where employees feel safe to ask questions, speak up and take responsibility
take;
- provides clarity on tasks, roles and expectations and contributes to calmness and predictability;
- works from dialogue, weighs interests carefully and substantiates choices transparently;
- connects and builds on what is already there;
- Have an affinity with Waldorf education and respect for its pedagogical vision;
- Feels at home in a dynamic context and can deal with change without losing the human perspective.
Leadership and cooperation
Within the school leadership, you actively contribute to further shaping a shared leadership culture. You work together on direction, cohesion and trust, and show that leadership also means listening, tuning in and staying on course together.
You encourage professional development, reflection and ownership among teachers and teams. You supervise staff in different stages of development and contribute to a culture in which learning from and with each other is self-evident.
Quality, testing and examination
In upper school, you are responsible for monitoring quality and diligence around testing and examining. This includes:
- ensuring consistency and quality of PTAs and school exams;
- promoting transparent, reliable and professional testing practice;
- working with the examination board and examination secretaries;
- creating calm and clarity for students and staff around examination processes
Employment conditions
What we offer- An appointment of 0.8 FTE, no later than 1 August 2026, or as much earlier as possible
- Appointment temporary with permanent prospects;
- Salary in scale 12 (CAO VO), step dependent on experience;
- Guidance and support from school management;
- A school community with committed colleagues and great pedagogical richness;
- The opportunity to contribute to an important phase in the GGCA's development;
- An attractive benefits package.
Application information
Procedure and timetable- Response deadline: no later than 8 March
- First round of interviews: week 12
- Second round of interviews: week 13
- Employment interview: week 14
We would appreciate it if you -in case of employment as of 1-8-26- were already available for a few moments before the summer holidays for getting acquainted, transferring and walking along within the school.
Interested?
Letter of motivation, accompanied by CV, please address the rector of Geert Groote College Amsterdam, Mariëtte Zuijdgeest, only via Master Job.
Nadere info over de vacature kan worden ingewonnen bij Mariëtte Zuijdgeest via de mail mzuijdgeest@ggca.nl of telefonisch via 020-5745830.
About Geert Groote College Amsterdam
The name of our school betrays its identity: we are a Waldorf school.
Free schools are modelled on the ideas of Rudolf Steiner. From his vision of man, he formulated pedagogical and didactic directions and encouraged teachers to fill in and adapt them for their own situation.
We still do that in the free schools: we look for a good combination of traditional and contemporary elements, which together ensure the development of both our students, and that of our staff.
Our teaching is divided into periods and subject lessons. A number of subjects are taught only in periods. A period can be thought of as an intensive course, offered for three works, every morning. In such a period, the teacher works around a theme, often without a book, and responds to the demand of the group.
The subject lessons are more like regular education. Our school's curriculum also includes craft subjects and there is a lot of focus on creativity. One of our guiding principles in our education is that we care for the development of the whole child: with head, heart and hands.
More information about our education and backgrounds can be found on our website.
Interesse?
Procedure and timetable
- Response deadline: no later than 8 March
- First round of interviews: week 12
- Second round of interviews: week 13
- Employment interview: week 14
We would appreciate it if you -in case of employment as of 1-8-26- were already available for a few moments before the summer holidays for getting acquainted, transferring and walking along within the school.
Interested?
Letter of motivation, accompanied by CV, please address the rector of Geert Groote College Amsterdam, Mariëtte Zuijdgeest,
only via Master Job.
Further info on the vacancy can be obtained from Mariëtte Zuijdgeest by emailing mzuijdgeest@ggca.nl or by calling 020-5745830.