FET Academic Lead; Grade 12 Focus - SPARK Office

About SPARK Schools

SPARK Schools is a social impact disruptor and is leading change in the education space through its network of affordable private schools. The SPARK Schools network provide transformational education innovation through Africa’s first blended learning model, which elevates student achievement and provides the tools teachers need to serve their students effectively.

The blended learning model, which combines classroom teaching and online instruction, allows teachers to anticipate student needs and equips schools to provide personalized education at an affordable cost. SPARK Schools is pioneering this transformative education model to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all.

SPARK Schools has a culture of collaboration, because getting South Africa to lead global education takes a team effort. We are innovators who strive for excellence through persistence and a sense of urgency to achieve SPARK Schools’ vision, mission and social transformational objectives. Our work environment is vibrant/cheerful, fast-paced/dynamic, engaging/stimulating, tech-enabled and data driven.

SPARK Schools is a high growth, mission and values-driven, entrepreneurial organisation, operating 21 primary schools and 5 high schools and serving over 16, 000 families. We are looking for dynamic people to join our team.

Reports to: Curriculum and Assessment Manager

Purpose of Role:

The FET Academic Lead (Grade 12 Focus) is the academic and compliance lead for the FET phase, with direct and primary accountability for Grade 12 outcomes. The role exists to ensure excellent matric results, rigorous curriculum delivery, and full compliance with DBE and FET requirements. While the role spans Grades 10–12, the non-negotiable priority is Grade 12 academic achievement, examination readiness, and statutory compliance, ensuring every SPARK FET scholar exits the system with strong results and credible post-school pathways.

Key Responsibilities Grade 12 Academic Ownership (Primary Accountability)

Responsibilities:

Serve as the single point of accountability for Grade 12 academic outcomes.

• Drive:
• NSC pass rates
• Bachelor-pass and Diploma-pass quality
• Subject-level performance targets
• Lead early identification of at-risk scholars and coordinate high-impact academic interventions.
• Ensure full curriculum coverage and depth aligned to NSC standards.

FET Curriculum & Assessment Leadership

Lead curriculum and assessment implementation across Grades 10–12, ensuring:

• CAPS coverage and pacing
• Alignment between teaching, assessment, and examination requirements
  Oversee all FET assessment systems, including:
• SBA task design and scheduling
• PATs and practical components
• Standardisation, moderation, and internal quality assurance
• Ensure all academic processes meet DBE, Umalusi, and FET compliance requirements

Matric Readiness & Examination Management

Design and lead the Grade 12 examination readiness strategy, including:

• Controlled tests and trial examinations
• Revision programmes and exam technique support
• Final NSC examination preparation
  Work closely with the Curriculum & Assessment Manager to ensure:
• Accurate submissions
• Compliance documentation
• Examination integrity and risk management

Instructional Leadership & Teacher Enablement

Provide instructional leadership to FET subject teachers through:

• Curriculum pacing oversight
• Assessment quality reviews
• Targeted academic coaching based on scholar data
  Support teachers to strengthen:
• Subject mastery
• NSC-aligned pedagogy
• Differentiation and intervention strategies
  Lead FET academic meetings, Grade 12 data reviews, and performance planning sessions.

Data, Reporting & Accountability

• Own the accuracy and integrity of FET academic data, with specific accountability for Grade 12 reporting.
• Analyse and report on:
• Subject and cohort performance trends
• Risk indicators and intervention impact
• Provide clear, timely academic reporting to:
• Curriculum & Assessment Manager
• School leadership and network academic teams (where applicable)

FET Exit Readiness & Pathways

• Ensure Grade 12 scholars are academically prepared for:
• University admission
• TVET and alternative pathways
• Support alignment between academic results and scholar…