Head of Junior School - January 2027

Taaleem is committed to the safety and well-being of children. We maintain high standards for effective child protection practices and are steadfast in our dedication to safeguarding children's welfare. We expect all staff members to share this commitment.

Candidates chosen for this position will be required to undergo enhanced child protection screening specific to their role, which encompasses several background checks, including acquiring quality references, verifying qualifications, confirming identity, and conducting police checks, including those from abroad. Employment will not commence until these checks are completed, which usually takes about a month.

We are seeking a passionate founding Head of Junior School to join the founding team at Harrow International School Abu Dhabi, beginning in January 2027, or at another mutually agreed-upon date prior to our opening in August 2027.

As a vital member of our founding team, you will play a crucial role in creating a vibrant and inclusive community where the educational experience of every student is central to our daily operations. In alignment with Harrow's values, our team will cultivate an environment where every pupil is supported, challenged, and empowered to achieve their highest potential.

The ideal candidate will provide exemplary leadership and strategic direction for the Junior School, ensuring a nurturing, challenging, and inspiring educational environment that reflects Harrow’s educational philosophy. The Head of Junior School will oversee the academic, pastoral, and operational development of the Junior School, equipping students for a future of educational and life excellence.

Qualifications and Experience:
• Strong academic background.
• Proven track record of effective leadership in international or high-achieving all-through schools, ideally including pioneering roles, with the ability to inspire and innovate.
• Comprehensive knowledge of curriculum development, modern pedagogical trends, assessment methods, and instructional best practices.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and motivate a diverse school community.
• Experience in building and leading high-performing academic teams focused on continuous professional development and advancement.
• Demonstrated success in securing external accreditation from educational institutions or inspection bodies, either in the UAE or internationally, such as ISI, BSO, Irtiqaa, DSIB, and ADEC.

Desirable but not required:
• International experience
• National Professional Qualification for Headship
• Leadership experience in a developing school

Leadership and Personal Qualities:
• A charismatic leader capable of fostering trust and engagement within the school community using a practical and hands-on approach.
• A strong media presence with excellent public speaking abilities to represent the school at key events and media interactions.
• A commitment to connecting and building trust with diverse communities while being attuned to cultural nuances.
• Adaptable and proactive, with the capability to make informed and timely decisions in a dynamic environment.
• High emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
• A humble mindset with a desire for personal and professional growth.

School Values and Behaviours:
All staff are expected to embody the school's core values: Courage, Honour, Humility, and Fellowship. These values represent what is important to us, with the following behaviours acting as shared expectations and standards to strive for in our interactions.

COURAGE
• We maintain optimism and purpose in a changing world.
• We take responsibility for our decisions, including difficult ones.
• We consistently address poor behaviour in ourselves and others.
• We remain open to new ideas and actively seek fresh challenges.

HONOUR
• We uphold our commitments.
• We act with integrity, doing what is right even when faced with difficulties or when unobserved.
• We respect and appreciate our traditions while adapting them for today.

HUMILITY
• We aim to serve others within the School and our broader communities, often placing their interests above our own.
• We both give and seek honest, constructive feedback, reflecting on our mistakes and learning from them.
• We support each other during challenges, celebrating everyone's contributions regardless of outcomes.

FELLOWSHIP
• We respect one another and value our differences, recognizing that we are more effective and resilient when collaborating.
• We embody kindness and inclusivity, acknowledging each individual's contributions.
• We model the behaviours we wish to see in others and only ask of others what we would willingly do ourselves.

At Taaleem, we prioritize equality, diversity, and inclusion. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives and actively invite individuals from all backgrounds to contribute their unique skills to our community.

Please note: It is against the law to apply for this position if you are prohibited from engaging in regulated activities related to children.

This job posting is on behalf of Harrow International School Abu Dhabi, which is part of the group owned by Taaleem Holdings PJSC and operates independently under a license to utilize the Harrow School brand. For additional information regarding this relationship, please refer to the relationship statement available on the harrowdubai.ae website. Applicants should understand that the employer is part of the Taaleem Holdings PJSC group and operates under its management, rather than Harrow School.