Head of Inclusion

About Taaleem Taaleem stands as one of the largest and most esteemed education providers in the United Arab Emirates and is the only publicly listed Education Provider in the country. Founded in 2004, Taaleem (meaning ‘education’ in Arabic) currently serves over 27,000 students across a diverse range of private international and public-private partnership schools in the UAE.

Job Purpose:
The Head of Inclusion will be primarily responsible for ensuring high-quality provision, attainment, and progress for students identified as having Special Educational Needs (SEN), those learning English as an Additional Language (EAL), and students who are Gifted and Talented (G&T). This role includes engaging with parents and various external student support services to guarantee that all students have access to tailored interventions and learning strategies that cater to their individual requirements.

Key Accountabilities:
- Develop and maintain a register for all students requiring specific educational support.
- Create, monitor, and assess the effectiveness of support services policies and procedures.
- Supervise the daily implementation of the school’s support services policies.
- Manage the budget effectively and prioritize resource allocation.
- Track the progress and development of targeted students alongside class and subject teachers.
- Gather data and analyze student performance results.
- Assist in identifying student needs, including conducting individual assessments as required.
- Support the development and review of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) as necessary.
- Design and organize interventions, ensuring the effective implementation of programs for students.
- Identify learning barriers for designated students and recommend suitable strategies to staff.
- Mentor and onboard new team members.
- Line manage and monitor the performance of Individual Learning Support Assistants (ILSAs) within the school.
- Provide updates and conduct meetings with teachers and parents as required.
- Offer training and coaching for classroom Learning Assistants (LAs) to enhance their skills in supporting students, aiming to close achievement gaps and accelerate learning.
- Maintain high levels of communication with all relevant stakeholders.
- Establish and manage a register of students needing accommodations for exam and assessment purposes.
- Coordinate with phase coordinators and subject leaders to ensure appropriate examination provisions are in place for specific students.
- Delegate responsibilities within sections as suitable.
- Attend various parent-teacher events.
- Develop strategies to effectively assist targeted students.
- Assist with enrollment, admissions procedures, and assessments as needed.
- Manage resources effectively.
- Conduct and report on student observations.
- Carry out lesson observations and support teacher development.
- Implement effective screening and diagnostic procedures to identify specific learning needs.
- Oversee staff performance management with a focus on differentiation to enhance teaching impact.
- Respond to Records of Concern as necessary.
- Lead weekly meetings with staff involved in Student Support, ensuring minutes are recorded.
- Schedule regular meetings with Heads of Section.
- Ensure regular and transparent communication with parents alongside classroom and subject teachers.
- Prepare reports as needed for specific situations, including DSIB, SEF, and quarterly reports.
- Attend Senior Leadership Team meetings as required to provide updates or guidance.
- Initiate, cultivate, and maintain effective relationships with external agencies and providers, such as child psychology services.
- Ensure that any specific or critical actions required for students are communicated with staff, and provide professional development as needed.
- Foster opportunities for professional sharing and development across Taaleem.

Person Specification:

Education: A Bachelor’s degree, teaching certification, and preferred workshops in educational leadership/management (e.g., NASENCO, NPSQL).
Experience: A minimum of 4 years in senior or middle leadership within a similar educational context.
Competencies:
- Knowledge of international accreditation and inspection/evaluation frameworks.
- Exceptional spoken and written communication skills.
- An educational leader and accomplished teacher.
- Sound decision-making skills.
- Solutions-oriented mindset.
- Understanding of child protection and health and safety protocols.
- Experience in building and maintaining high-performance teams.
- Strong relationship management skills with various stakeholders.
- Expertise in providing quality SEN, EAL, and G&T educational provisions and curriculum.

Attributes:
- A collaborative team player.
- An inspirational speaker.
- An empathetic listener.
- High integrity.
- Strategic thinker capable of translating vision into action.
- Internationally minded with emotional intelligence.
- Culturally aware and creative.
- Persuasive and adaptable, able to manage growth while maintaining high standards.
- Proficient in multilingual settings.
- Spirited, pioneering, and professional while nurturing.