Child Environment Leader for Højby School

Are you pedagogically well-founded, relationally strong in relation to students, parents, staff and the school's other partners? Are you ready to engage as a leader at a school with ambitions of high professionalism and strong communities? Can you lead inclusive processes with a positive mindset, a twinkle in your eye and good energy? Do you want to work for the best solutions for all students in a close and committed collaboration?

Do you have an interest in the administrative part of the leadership task, and are you passionate about pedagogical development, then perhaps you are the one we are looking for for the position as Head of Department for the youngest child environment and SFO.

Our child environment leader for many years is retiring. We are seeking a new child environment leader from 1 February 2027. A child environment leader who wants to be part of a diverse and development-oriented school and who is focused on creating strong child communities and good learning environments for all children together with the management and staff at the school.

About the position

As head of the child environment at Højby School you will, in collaboration with the headteacher, deputy head and staff, continue to develop the school's values, culture and visions in professional learning communities.

You will be responsible for the daily leadership with focus on the following tasks

• responsibility for the youngest child environment 0.-3. grade
• responsibility for after-school care, SFO, SFO2 and spring SFO
• collaboration around the child environment with the other schools in the area
• collaboration with the kindergartens in the area
• pedagogical operation and development of teaching in cooperation with the staff – including strong child communities, new subject plans, vision for leisure-time pedagogy and pedagogical curricula
• planning of teachers' working hours
• substitute coverage.

We are looking for a head of the child environment who

• wishes to be very close to teachers' and pedagogues' practice
• is focused on creating uptake through relationships, dialogue and trust, and views employees' perspectives as an important resource in its leadership
• works in an appreciative way, and has an eye for each individual's competencies and potential
• has good communication skills both in writing and speaking
• has experience from the school world and has a relevant leadership education or is willing to undertake a leadership education
• as a person is curious, collaborative and present
• thrives in a daily life where two days are rarely the same, and where there is a need for structure, overview and human insight
• can balance between staff management, administration and pedagogical development.

You will become part of

• a management team consisting of the headteacher, deputy head and department head. We work closely together on the major shared tasks, and each of us works with the smaller tasks within our respective departments. We create appropriate disruption for each other through sparring and joint reflection, where we make each other look good. “Decency, responsibility and loyalty” are fundamental management values.

We view the overall management task in a team perspective and from a flat leadership structure. We work to create well-being and learning through recognition, a positive leadership style and a focus on having high ambitions for both students and staff.

• a school where staff are organized in year-team groups, and our teachers and pedagogues work closely together in professional, committed learning communities, where we thrive with each other and have a fundamental respect for each other’s professionalism.
• an organization where you as a new employee receive a thorough introduction to the administration and to Odense Municipality as the workplace. The Children and Youth Administration supports cross-cutting projects and the development of the individual leader. We have well-functioning leadership networks in the school area, where leadership colleagues provide professional sparring, and you will participate in sparring meetings with the school department's leadership. In addition, you will have the opportunity to join child and youth leader groups, where you work across disciplines in the 0-18 year area.

About Højby School

Højby School is located in the southern part of Odense, close to the motorway and with good bus and train connections to the center. The school has 330 students, 29 teachers and 11 pedagogues/assistants.

The school is divided into two departments spread over 3 “houses”: the youngest child environment and the oldest child environment 0.-5. grade, and a youth environment with 6.-9. grade. In addition there is the school's SFO, which also houses in the child environment, where skilled staff run exciting activities and communities for the children.

At Højby School we believe that strong communities, high professionalism and diversity go hand in hand.

The student group at the school is broadly composed and thereby contributing to creating a diverse school.

With us there is room to think and room for reflection, curiosity and different perspectives.

We have a strong and dedicated staff, an active school board and parent associations who collaborate to create strong learning environments where the students thrive, are formed and develop. This is based on the school's vision to create strong and democratic learning environments that strengthen the lives of children and young people, so they acquire personal, social and academic competencies.

Højby School has a good working environment, which is expressed in our collaboration. We work in professional learning communities together and across year-team groups, subject teams and subject areas to create the best school for all our students.

We are generally at the forefront of political, didactic and pedagogical currents in our child and youth environment. We work with strong child communities so that participation opportunities are created for all students.

Højby School is certified as a United Nations Global Goals school, which is a natural part of the teaching.

Would you like to know more?

If you have questions about the position, or would like to arrange a visit to the school, you are welcome to contact the headteacher Pia Smiszek Nielsen on 51 15 77 59.

You can read more about the school on our website https://hoejbyskole.aula.dk/ and see glimpses from school life on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hoejbyskole/

Salary and employment terms

Salary and employment terms in accordance with the applicable collective agreement between KL and the negotiating organization. The expected salary level will be stated before a possible interview and depends on experience and qualifications.

The position is to be filled by 1 February 2027.

The practical

Application deadline is Tuesday 1 December 2026.

1st round of interviews on Friday 11 December 2026 and 2nd round on 17 December 2026.

In the event of a 2nd interview round you will be asked to possibly complete a personality profile analysis as well as solve a case exercise.