This is an exceptional opportunity to lead Lumio Private School, a new not-for-profit international school which opened in September 2024 in the stunning environs of Paphos, Cyprus. (Please note, the word “Private” must appear in the School’s title under Cypriot law). The founding Head is relocating to another international headship and leaves an expanding, thriving new School of immense potential.
Eventually, Lumio will be a K-12 School of over 500 pupils. Currently it houses 170 pupils up to year 9 but is projected to double in size in September 2025. Lumio is a labour of love for its founders, themselves former academics, who are building a new school for families in Cyprus who seek an international, holistic, happy education that will culminate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The 6.8 hectare campus in Acheleia, close to Paphos International Airport, is being constructed under the aegis of leading Cypriot architectural bureau Lazarou & Michael, and will include separate Primary (completed) and Secondary facilities with outstanding provision for academics, sport and the arts.
Paphos itself is the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite. A coastal city of some 36,000 people (with closer to 100,000 in the metro area), it is blessed with beaches, a port, international airport and, most famously, an extraordinary and ancient heritage recognised by UNESCO and manifest in world famous archaeological and architectural treasures. The standard of living is high, and services and facilities are excellent.
The Head of Secondary will be a warm, creative, flexible, open-minded professional with a long-term vision for and commitment to the new school, its mission and community. This is a school where children – not the interests of a group or business - must come first. Experience of the IB will be essential.
There is huge scope for imaginative leaders to create something quite unique in Cyprus. The School has enjoyed a very successful first year, and the incoming Head of Secondary will arrive to an extant founding team of staff (teaching and non-teaching) who worked very hard to ensure the new community would thrive. So, while growing the School and community will be a vital aspect of the role, ensuring the current team is valued in a high-functioning and high-trust environment will be equally important.
This is a special opportunity for a visionary, engaging leader with excellent communications skills to lead a passion project that sits at the other end of the spectrum from many of the large school chains and groups. For the right people, Lumio may prove the opportunity of a lifetime.
The role will commence in September 2025, and comes with a competitive remuneration package.
For a preliminary, confidential conversation about this role with Jean Sullivan, Head of International Search, please contact jeansullivan@rsacademics.com, attaching a copy of your CV.
For further, detailed candidate information about this opportunity and how to apply please visit
www.rsacademics.com Applications will be considered as they are received and there will not be a fixed applications window. Candidates are therefore encouraged to submit their application at the earliest opportunity.
Lumio Private School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its employees and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding and child protection issues will be discussed throughout the appointment process and candidates must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including reference checks with previous employers and criminal records and social media checks.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
The safeguarding responsibilities of the role are indicated in the candidate information.
RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.