Head of Foundation Stage 2 - August 2026

GEMS Wellington International School, an esteemed institution based in Dubai, offers outstanding educational experiences for students aged 3 to 18. Our school implements a comprehensive curriculum that encompasses the Foundation Stage curriculum in The Early Years, the National Curriculum for England through Year 11, and the International Baccalaureate for Years 12 and 13. With a dynamic educational setting and a variety of enriching experiences, we empower students to excel and strive for excellence at every stage of their academic endeavors. Our diverse international community is committed to recognizing and celebrating individual strengths, nurturing lifelong learning, and developing future leaders.

Position Overview:

We are on the lookout for an enthusiastic leader to enhance the pastoral care and support for children within their designated year group. The ideal candidate will be dedicated to maintaining high standards and expectations in learning, teaching, and assessment, with the goal of improving student attainment and progress.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Developing a friendly and approachable relationship with students, parents, and staff.
• Upholding expectations at the beginning and end of the school day; welcoming parents and children while addressing immediate questions and concerns.
• Promoting innovative, high-quality approaches across all aspects of learning and teaching, including planning, creating supportive learning environments, and effectively utilizing specialist teachers and release time.
• Encouraging a culture of positivity, motivation, and inspiration, ensuring all team members believe in the school’s and department’s capacity to achieve objectives and targets.
• Holding teachers accountable for the academic achievement and progress of students in their year group.
• Collaborating with the Head of School, AHTs, and Lower School Curriculum Leaders to ensure a comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, and Review (MER) process for Learning and Teaching Standards within the year group.
• Strategically planning, executing, and reporting on the MER cycle for the year group, including developing targeted action plans in line with the School Development Plan.
• Providing ongoing and relevant professional development opportunities for team members to identify and cultivate potential.
• Setting ambitious Performance Management targets that are regularly reviewed.
• Facilitating swift progress and positive outcomes for targeted learners through core intervention groups within the year group.
• Leading the Parents as Partners initiative, which includes organizing high-quality termly parental engagement, workshops, communications, and year group events and visits.
• Monitoring attendance and effectively intervening to address issues related to lateness and attendance that drop below 96%.
• Managing smooth transitions between lessons and during breaks.
• Planning and implementing a seamless transition program for all stakeholders.
• Overseeing the line management of teachers and TAs within the year group.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Actively engaging in the future development of the school and its community.
• Promoting school policies as appropriate.
• Undertaking any other professional duties as required in the leadership role at GEMS Wellington International School.

To qualify for this position, candidates must:

• Demonstrate and embody our core values of integrity, empathy, and resilience in all actions.
• Hold a BEd or Bachelor’s degree with PGCE/PGDE or an equivalent qualification.
• Have proven experience teaching at the primary level, particularly in EYFS.
• Be open to collaboration and sharing best practices.
• Maintain a growth mindset, being reflective and solution-focused.
• Approach teaching with creativity and enthusiasm.
• Have strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with colleagues, students, and parents.
• Have a successful track record of improving student outcomes.

Apply via the WhatSchool platform.