Deputy Head of Primary

Deputy Head of Primary

Reporting to the Head of Primary, the Deputy Head of Primary will play a key strategic and operational leadership role within the school. The postholder will support school improvement, uphold high standards, and ensure an outstanding educational experience for all pupils.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote and uphold the ethos, vision and standards of excellence in line with the GEMS Core Values
• Embed and champion ‘The GFM Way’, ensuring it remains central to all school improvement work, with children at the heart of all decision-making
• Support the development and implementation of the school’s strategic and excellence plans, alongside key improvement initiatives
• Provide effective leadership and management of staff and pupils
• Ensure a high-quality school experience that enables all pupils to achieve their full potential
• Foster strong relationships with parents, ensuring a consistently high standard of engagement and communication
• Drive high academic standards in line with the school’s ambitions and UAE National Agenda targets
• Contribute to the development of school aims, policies and systems, ensuring effective implementation
• Monitor and evaluate progress towards school priorities and objectives
• Support the effective management of staff, resources and budgets
• Undertake teaching and other professional duties as delegated by the Principal

Key Areas of Responsibility

School Culture and Behaviour

• Champion and consistently uphold ‘The GFM Way’
• Promote a culture of excellence aligned with the GEMS Core Values
• Work collaboratively with the Head of School, Primary Leadership Team and Vice Principal to develop high-quality, globally relevant teaching and learning practices
• Foster a positive, inclusive and enriching environment for all pupils
• Promote high standards of behaviour through clear routines, expectations and consistent practice
• Ensure behaviour is managed fairly and effectively in line with school policies
• Maintain a strong culture of professionalism among staff

Teaching, Curriculum and Assessment

• Champion the ‘Teach Like a GEM’ approach
• Lead on instructional coaching and the use of Steplab to improve teaching practice
• Ensure consistently high-quality teaching across all phases, grounded in evidence-based practice
• Promote strong subject knowledge and pedagogy across the curriculum
• Develop and implement effective monitoring and evaluation systems to drive improvement
• Ensure a broad, balanced and coherent curriculum is delivered effectively
• Support and develop curriculum leadership, including subject leaders
• Ensure assessment practices are valid, reliable and support pupil progress

Inclusion (SEN and Disabilities)

• Promote an inclusive culture that enables all pupils to access the curriculum
• Maintain high expectations for pupils with additional needs
• Work closely with parents to identify needs and implement appropriate support and adaptations

Organisational Management and School Improvement

• Support the development and delivery of the school’s strategic direction in collaboration with leadership and governance
• Ensure effective systems, processes and policies are in place to support school operations
• Safeguard the welfare and wellbeing of pupils and staff
• Implement robust risk management processes
• Identify barriers to school effectiveness and lead appropriate improvement strategies
• Monitor, evaluate and review the impact of school improvement initiatives

Staff Management and Professional Development

• Line manage Assistant Headteachers and middle leaders, including performance management and appraisal
• Ensure staff have access to high-quality professional development opportunities
• Stay informed of developments in education and leadership practice
• Engage in continuous professional development to enhance leadership effectiveness

Governance and Partnerships

• Work effectively within governance frameworks, accepting accountability and responsibility
• Ensure staff understand and fulfil their professional responsibilities
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and statutory duties
• Build effective partnerships with other schools and organisations within the GEMS network and beyond
• Collaborate with colleagues and external partners to improve outcomes for all pupils

Person Specification

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A recognised teaching qualification (e.g. B.Ed, PGCE, PGDE or equivalent)
• A minimum of five years’ teaching experience within a British curriculum primary school
• Proven experience in a leadership role
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusting, professional relationships
• A coaching approach to leadership and staff development
• A commitment to delivering outstanding teaching and learning
• The ambition to contribute to a world-class school environment and further their career
• Excellent IT and communication skills
• A creative, proactive and enthusiastic approach to school life, both inside and outside the classroom