Deputy Head of Primary - January 2026 Start

We are seeking a remarkable Deputy Head of Primary to become a valued member of our team. The individual in this role will play a crucial part in upholding the school's Vision and Mission, along with all policies, academic standards, and pastoral support within the Primary school.

Key Purpose
Collaborating closely with the Principal and Head of Primary, the Deputy Head of Primary will oversee the daily operations and strategic management of the Primary school. This position entails leading and managing staff, tracking student progress, planning the curriculum, supporting Behaviour for Learning initiatives, and engaging with parents to help realize the school's vision.

Main Purpose
Under the guidance of the Head of Primary, the Deputy Head of Primary will significantly contribute to:
- Promoting and embodying the ethos and high standards of excellence aligned with the GEMS Core Values.
- Ensuring the Primary school maintains high academic standards, aspiring for all students to reach their fullest potential while committing to the UAE National Agenda targets.
- Crafting the school’s aims and objectives.
- Establishing policies to achieve these aims and objectives.
- Managing staff and resources effectively to fulfill these goals.
- Monitoring progress toward the school’s objectives.
- Overseeing budgets and fulfilling teaching and other professional responsibilities as assigned by the Principal.
- Assisting the Head of Primary in leading the Primary team, including performance management.
- Contributing to the development and implementation of the school’s educational strategy.

Qualities
- Maintain public trust in school leadership while upholding high standards of ethics, behavior, and professional conduct.
- Foster positive and respectful relationships within the school community and with parents.
- Act in the best interests of the school's students.
- Serve as an effective role model, consistently demonstrating the positive attitudes, values, and behaviors expected of students.
- Make a meaningful contribution to the overall life and ethos of the school.
- Treat students and staff with dignity, nurturing relationships based on mutual respect while adhering to appropriate professional boundaries.

Duties and Responsibilities

School Culture and Behaviour
- Embrace and promote the ethos and standards of excellence as articulated in the GEMS Core Values.
- Collaborate closely with the Head of Primary to establish relevant and effective learning and teaching practices. Implement the school’s vision for quality that aligns with GEMS expectations for outstanding education.
- Foster a school culture that provides students with a fulfilling and positive experience.
- Maintain educational standards that prepare students from diverse backgrounds for future educational and life phases.
- Ensure a culture of professionalism among staff.
- Encourage high standards of student behavior, grounded in rules and routines that are well understood by both staff and students and exemplified by all adults in the school.
- Apply consistent and equitable methods for managing behavior, in accordance with the school's behavior policy.

Teaching, Curriculum, and Assessment
- Establish and maintain high-quality teaching across all subjects and phases, supported by evidence.
- Ensure that teaching is founded on subject expertise.
- Develop monitoring and evaluation systems to assess teaching and learning standards, implementing necessary improvement strategies.
- Guarantee the delivery of a broad, structured, and coherent curriculum.
- Promote curriculum leadership, including subject leaders who possess relevant expertise and access to professional networks.
- Utilize valid, reliable, and proportionate methods for assessing students’ knowledge and understanding of the curriculum.

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

Organizational Management and School Improvement
- Collaborate with the governing board and the school community to establish and uphold the school’s ethos and strategic direction.
- Develop and oversee systems, processes, and policies to ensure the school operates effectively.
- Prioritize the safety and welfare of staff and students through practical safeguarding measures as part of the duty of care.
- Manage the well-being of staff and students.
- Employ rigorous methods for identifying, managing, and mitigating risk.
- Recognize challenges and barriers to school effectiveness, creating realistic and timely strategies for improvement suited to the school's context.
- Lead school improvement initiatives, ensuring strategies are effectively monitored, implemented, and reviewed.

Staff Management and Professional Development
- Conduct performance management for assigned staff, including appraisals and accountability for their performance.
- Ensure staff have access to high-quality professional development opportunities.
- Stay informed about developments in education.
- Pursue training and continuing professional development to address personal needs.

Governance, Accountability, and Working in Partnership
- Understand and embrace the role of effective governance, acknowledging responsibility.
- Ensure staff are aware of their professional responsibilities and are held accountable.
- Lead the school effectively, ensuring it operates efficiently within regulatory frameworks and meets all statutory obligations.
- Collaborate successfully with other schools and organizations as appropriate.
- Maintain working relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues to enhance educational outcomes for all students.