Assistant Head of Primary- August 2026

We are looking to appoint an outstanding Assistant Head of Primary to join the team in August 2026. The post holder will be responsible for supporting the schools Vision and Mission as well as all policies, academic standards and pastoral support in the Secondary School.
Key Purpose 
Working alongside the Principal and Head of Primary, the Assistant Head of Primary will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day and strategic management of the Primary school.  
The post holder will lead, manage, and be responsible for tracking progress, considering curriculum planning, supporting the Behavior for Learning, and communicating with parents to promote the realization of the school’s vision. 
Main purpose  
The Assistant Head of Primary, under the direction of the Head of Secondary, will take a significant role in: 
Embracing and encouraging the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the GEMS Core Values.
Ensuring high academic standards in the Secondary school with the school's desire for all students to be the best they can, as well as a commitment to the UAE National Agenda targets.
Formulating the aims and objectives of the school 
Establishing policies for achieving these aims and objectives
Managing staff and resources to that end
Monitoring progress towards the achievement of the school’s aims and objectives
Managing budgets and undertaking teaching and other professional duties as reasonably delegated by the Principal.
Support the Head of Secondary in leading the Secondary team – including performance management.
Assist in shaping & implementing the educational strategy for the school.  
Qualities  
Uphold public trust in school leadership and maintain high standards of ethics, behavior and professional conduct
Build positive and respectful relationships across the school and the Parent community
Serve in the best interests of the school’s students
Be an effective role model who demonstrates consistently the positive attitudes, values and behavior which is expected of pupils 
Make a positive contribution to the broader life and ethos of the school.  
Treat students and staff with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, and always observing proper boundaries appropriate to a teacher’s professional position 
Duties and responsibilities 
School culture and behavior  
Embrace and encourage the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the GEMS Core Values.
Work closely with the Head of Secondary to establish practical and globally relevant practices of learning & teaching.  Implement the school's vision for quality aligned with the GEMS expectation of excellent education.
Create a culture where students experience a positive and enriching school life
Uphold educational standards to prepare students from all backgrounds for their next phase of education and life
Ensure a culture of staff professionalism
Encourage high standards of behavior from students, built on rules and routines that are understood by staff and students and demonstrated by all adults in school
Use consistent and fair approaches to managing behavior, in line with the school’s behavior policy
Teaching, curriculum and assessment 
Establish and sustain high-quality teaching across all subjects and phases, based on evidence
Ensure teaching is underpinned by subject expertise 
Develop monitoring and evaluation systems to assess teaching and learning standards, and implement any necessary improvement strategies.
Ensure the teaching of a broad, structured and coherent curriculum
Establish curriculum leadership, including subject leaders with relevant expertise and access to professional networks and communities
Use valid, reliable and proportionate approaches to assessing students’ knowledge and understanding of the curriculum 
Additional and special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities 
Promote a culture and practices that enable all students to access the curriculum 
Have ambitious expectations for all students with SEN and disabilities
Make sure the schoolwork's effectively with the parents to identify additional needs and provide support and adaptation where appropriate
Organizational management and school improvement 
Establish and sustain the school’s ethos and strategic direction together with the governing board, and through consultation with the school community
Establish and oversee systems, processes and policies so the school can operate effectively 
Ensure staff and students’ safety and welfare through practical approaches to safeguarding, as part of the duty of care
Manage staff and student wellbeing 
Ensure rigorous approaches to identifying, managing and mitigating risk
Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness, and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the school’s context
Lead on school improvement areas and ensure strategies are effectively monitored, implemented and reviewed
Staff management and Professional development 
Performance manages allocated staff, including carrying out appraisals and holding staff to account for their performance
Ensure staff have access to appropriate, high-standard professional development opportunities
Keep up to date with developments in education
Seek training and continuing professional development to meet need
Governance, accountability and working in partnership 
Understand and welcome the role of effective governance, including accepting responsibility
Ensure that staff understand their professional responsibilities and are held to account
Lead the school effectively and ensure it operates efficiently within the required regulatory frameworks and meets all statutory duties
Work successfully with other schools and organisations where appropriate
Maintain working relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues to improve educational outcomes for all pupils
Skills Description
The successful applicant will be:
A fully certified teacher, holding a B.Ed, PGCE, PGDE or equivalent
Passionate about providing outstanding teaching and learning
Highly experienced in the National Curriculum for England
Efficient in people development and have proven leadership and communication abilities
Minimum of 5 years’ experience teaching within a British Curriculum Secondary School 
A minimum of IELTS 6 or equivalent may be required