Primary SENCO | August 2026
Deira International School (DIS)Teaching
Status
Actively Hiring
Date Listed26 February 2026
ContractPermanent
PlatformW5_SYNC
About This Role
The School
Deira International School, a distinguished BSO and KHDA rated institution, is located on a stunning campus in Festival City, Dubai. In 2023, DIS earned the Education Excellence Award for ‘School Team of the Year’ and holds a platinum award for ‘Best Place to Work’, highlighting our dedication to fostering a vibrant and supportive community.
Catering to students aged 3-18, DIS operates as a not-for-profit school and is part of the Al Futtaim Education Foundation. Established in 2005, the school is celebrated for delivering an exceptional inclusive and holistic education. Our recent inspection report highlighted several key strengths:
•
Staff express immense pride in the school and believe it is well-managed, offering a safe and inclusive learning atmosphere.
•
The teaching, learning, and assessment quality throughout the school is outstanding.
•
Teachers maintain high expectations for students, consistently encouraging them to excel in lessons and various activities.
•
Staff members appreciate their work environment, feeling respected, valued, and treated fairly.
•
The curriculum is meticulously organized, well-structured, and builds sequentially on students' previous knowledge at every stage.
•
DIS places a strong emphasis on academic progress and achievement.
With a student population representing over 90 nationalities, this diversity is integral to the community spirit of the school. Outstanding facilities provide ample opportunities for a well-rounded education; students can engage in sports, performing arts, academics, technology, leadership, and creative pursuits, ensuring rich and varied experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
While we do not have selective admissions, our students consistently achieve remarkable exam results comparable to leading UK schools. We prioritize digital literacy, equipping students to tackle the challenges of a rapidly evolving world. This success allows our graduates to progress to top universities globally.
Our Early Years program is personalized, play-based, and continually assessed against the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, focusing on essential learning skills and laying the groundwork for the Primary Curriculum. In primary education, students benefit from a broad and enriching curriculum that includes various non-core subjects. In Year 11, senior students take IGCSE examinations before advancing to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) in Years 12 and 13.
Al-Futtaim Education Foundation (AFEF) governs Deira International School, aiming to elevate education in the UAE and prepare students for an increasingly interconnected and technologically advanced future. AFEF is an initiative by the Al Futtaim family to align with the vision of the Government of Dubai and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in fostering a globally competitive economy while maximizing social contributions through this not-for-profit venture.
The Post: Primary SENCO
We are looking for a dedicated and experienced Primary SENCO to join our international school community. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone passionate about fostering genuine inclusion in a supportive environment where high standards are upheld for every student. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of Special Educational Needs and the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework, along with a strong belief in the potential of every child when provided with appropriate support.
The Primary SENCO will be responsible for leading and coordinating provisions for students of determination within the primary phase, collaborating closely with classroom teachers, Learning Support Assistants, external agencies, and school leaders to ensure exemplary inclusive practices are implemented in all classrooms. They will manage identification, assessment, and intervention processes, ensuring that support plans are effective, meaningful, and regularly evaluated. This role necessitates strong collaboration with parents, therapists, and external organizations to ensure a comprehensive understanding and meeting of each child's needs.
The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping and implementing our inclusive vision, providing support to staff through coaching and professional development, and ensuring that inclusive practices are integrated into our curriculum design and pastoral care. In our vibrant community, we value both academic success and student well-being equally; thus, all staff are expected to engage fully in our pastoral and co-curricular programs.
If you possess a positive, focused mindset and are eager to make a contribution to a dynamic and progressive school, we encourage you to apply.
We welcome applications from individuals who meet the following qualifications:
•
A B.Ed. or degree in a relevant field, along with PGCE/PGDE or equivalent
•
SENCO qualification (or currently pursuing one)
•
Prior experience as a SENCO or Inclusion Teacher in a primary school environment
•
Outstanding subject knowledge and a proven record of exceptional teaching
•
Strong understanding of early identification, intervention strategies, and inclusive classroom practices
•
Familiarity with the English National Curriculum
•
Excellent communication and teamwork abilities to foster partnerships with families and external professionals
•
A mindset that recognizes every child’s right to high-quality learning, irrespective of their starting point
•
The capability to contribute to the broader curriculum and enrichment initiatives
Deira International School, Festival City, is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. An ICPC (International Police Clearance Certificate) or equivalent police verification, along with three professional references, is mandatory for all appointments.
Deira International School, a distinguished BSO and KHDA rated institution, is located on a stunning campus in Festival City, Dubai. In 2023, DIS earned the Education Excellence Award for ‘School Team of the Year’ and holds a platinum award for ‘Best Place to Work’, highlighting our dedication to fostering a vibrant and supportive community.
Catering to students aged 3-18, DIS operates as a not-for-profit school and is part of the Al Futtaim Education Foundation. Established in 2005, the school is celebrated for delivering an exceptional inclusive and holistic education. Our recent inspection report highlighted several key strengths:
•
Staff express immense pride in the school and believe it is well-managed, offering a safe and inclusive learning atmosphere.
•
The teaching, learning, and assessment quality throughout the school is outstanding.
•
Teachers maintain high expectations for students, consistently encouraging them to excel in lessons and various activities.
•
Staff members appreciate their work environment, feeling respected, valued, and treated fairly.
•
The curriculum is meticulously organized, well-structured, and builds sequentially on students' previous knowledge at every stage.
•
DIS places a strong emphasis on academic progress and achievement.
With a student population representing over 90 nationalities, this diversity is integral to the community spirit of the school. Outstanding facilities provide ample opportunities for a well-rounded education; students can engage in sports, performing arts, academics, technology, leadership, and creative pursuits, ensuring rich and varied experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
While we do not have selective admissions, our students consistently achieve remarkable exam results comparable to leading UK schools. We prioritize digital literacy, equipping students to tackle the challenges of a rapidly evolving world. This success allows our graduates to progress to top universities globally.
Our Early Years program is personalized, play-based, and continually assessed against the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, focusing on essential learning skills and laying the groundwork for the Primary Curriculum. In primary education, students benefit from a broad and enriching curriculum that includes various non-core subjects. In Year 11, senior students take IGCSE examinations before advancing to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) in Years 12 and 13.
Al-Futtaim Education Foundation (AFEF) governs Deira International School, aiming to elevate education in the UAE and prepare students for an increasingly interconnected and technologically advanced future. AFEF is an initiative by the Al Futtaim family to align with the vision of the Government of Dubai and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in fostering a globally competitive economy while maximizing social contributions through this not-for-profit venture.
The Post: Primary SENCO
We are looking for a dedicated and experienced Primary SENCO to join our international school community. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone passionate about fostering genuine inclusion in a supportive environment where high standards are upheld for every student. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of Special Educational Needs and the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework, along with a strong belief in the potential of every child when provided with appropriate support.
The Primary SENCO will be responsible for leading and coordinating provisions for students of determination within the primary phase, collaborating closely with classroom teachers, Learning Support Assistants, external agencies, and school leaders to ensure exemplary inclusive practices are implemented in all classrooms. They will manage identification, assessment, and intervention processes, ensuring that support plans are effective, meaningful, and regularly evaluated. This role necessitates strong collaboration with parents, therapists, and external organizations to ensure a comprehensive understanding and meeting of each child's needs.
The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping and implementing our inclusive vision, providing support to staff through coaching and professional development, and ensuring that inclusive practices are integrated into our curriculum design and pastoral care. In our vibrant community, we value both academic success and student well-being equally; thus, all staff are expected to engage fully in our pastoral and co-curricular programs.
If you possess a positive, focused mindset and are eager to make a contribution to a dynamic and progressive school, we encourage you to apply.
We welcome applications from individuals who meet the following qualifications:
•
A B.Ed. or degree in a relevant field, along with PGCE/PGDE or equivalent
•
SENCO qualification (or currently pursuing one)
•
Prior experience as a SENCO or Inclusion Teacher in a primary school environment
•
Outstanding subject knowledge and a proven record of exceptional teaching
•
Strong understanding of early identification, intervention strategies, and inclusive classroom practices
•
Familiarity with the English National Curriculum
•
Excellent communication and teamwork abilities to foster partnerships with families and external professionals
•
A mindset that recognizes every child’s right to high-quality learning, irrespective of their starting point
•
The capability to contribute to the broader curriculum and enrichment initiatives
Deira International School, Festival City, is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. An ICPC (International Police Clearance Certificate) or equivalent police verification, along with three professional references, is mandatory for all appointments.