Deputy Head of Primary

Job Description

The Deputy Head of Primary will play a significant role under the guidance of the Head of Primary by:
- Promoting and embodying the ethos and standards of excellence as outlined in the GEMS Core Values.
- Advocating for ‘The GFM Way’ to ensure that the focus on students remains central to all school improvement initiatives.
- Assisting in the development and execution of the school's strategic plan, excellence plan, and other priority improvement initiatives.
- Contributing to and providing leadership and management for both staff and students.
- Ensuring a top-tier educational experience for all students to achieve desired outcomes.
- Delivering a high-quality experience for parents.
- Maintaining high academic standards aligned with the school’s aspirations for all students to reach their full potential, as well as the UAE National Agenda targets.
- Defining the school’s aims and objectives and establishing policies to achieve them.
- Overseeing staff and resources to support these goals.
- Monitoring progress towards the school’s aims and objectives.
- Managing budgets and performing teaching and other professional responsibilities as reasonably assigned by the Principal.

Duties and Responsibilities

School Culture and Behaviour
- Consistently uphold The GFM Way.
- Embrace and promote the ethos and standards of excellence as stipulated in the GEMS Core Values.
- Collaborate closely with the Head of School, Primary Leadership Team, and Vice Principal to establish effective, globally relevant learning and teaching practices. Implement the school’s vision for quality education in line with GEMS expectations.
- Foster a culture where students enjoy a positive and enriching school experience.
- Maintain educational standards to prepare students from diverse backgrounds for their next educational and life stages.
- Cultivate a culture of professionalism among staff.
- Encourage high standards of student behaviour, supported by clear rules and routines understood by all staff and students, and exemplified by all adults in the school.
- Implement consistent and fair behaviour management practices in accordance with the school’s behaviour policy.

Teaching, Curriculum, and Assessment
- Advocate for the Teach Like a GEM approach.
- Promote Instructional Coaching and the utilization of Steplab.
- Establish and maintain high-quality teaching across all subjects and phases, grounded in evidence-based practices.
- Ensure that teaching is supported by subject expertise.
- Develop monitoring and evaluation systems to assess teaching and learning standards, and implement necessary improvement strategies.
- Ensure a broad, structured, and coherent curriculum is taught.
- Establish curriculum leadership, including subject leaders with relevant expertise and professional network access.
- Utilize valid, reliable, and proportionate methods to assess students’ knowledge and understanding of the curriculum.

Additional and Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disabilities
- Foster a culture and practices that enable all students to access the curriculum.
- Maintain high expectations for all students with SEN and disabilities.
- Collaborate effectively with parents to identify additional needs and provide appropriate support and adaptations.

Organizational Management and School Improvement
- Establish and maintain the school’s ethos and strategic direction in collaboration with the governing board and the school community.
- Develop and oversee systems, processes, and policies to ensure effective school operations.
- Guarantee the safety and welfare of staff and students through effective safeguarding strategies as part of the duty of care.
- Manage staff and student well-being.
- Implement rigorous approaches to identify, manage, and mitigate risks.
- Identify challenges and barriers to school effectiveness, developing realistic and timely improvement strategies suited to the school’s context.
- Lead on areas of school improvement, ensuring strategies are monitored, implemented, and reviewed effectively.

Staff Management and Professional Development
- Oversee the performance of Assistant Headteachers and middle leaders, conducting appraisals and holding staff accountable for their performance.
- Ensure staff have access to high-quality professional development opportunities.
- Stay updated with developments in education.
- Pursue training and continuing professional development to meet personal and professional needs.

Governance, Accountability, and Partnership
- Recognize and embrace the importance of effective governance, including accepting responsibility.
- Ensure staff are aware of their professional responsibilities and held accountable.
- Lead the school efficiently within the required regulatory frameworks while meeting all statutory obligations.
- Collaborate successfully with other Founders, Cluster schools, and organizations where relevant.
- Maintain professional relationships with colleagues to enhance educational outcomes for all students.

Skills

Ideal candidates will possess:
- A certified teaching qualification at degree level, such as B.Ed, PGCE, PGDE, or equivalent.
- A minimum of 5 years of solid and demonstrable experience teaching in a Primary School within a British curriculum setting.
- Experience in a comparable role.
- Personal leadership qualities to foster trusting relationships, a coaching approach to development, and the ability to inspire others.
- A commitment to providing outstanding teaching and learning experiences.
- A desire to thrive in a world-class school with genuine opportunities for career advancement.
- Excellent IT and interpersonal communication skills to engage effectively with students and parents.
- A creative and enthusiastic approach both inside and outside the classroom.

GEMS Education is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is required for all appointments.

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