Head of School, Secondary - September 2026
GEMS Royal Dubai SchoolTeaching
Status
Actively Hiring
Date Listed9 February 2026
ContractPermanent
PlatformW5_SYNC
About This Role
GEMS Royal Dubai School is a lively, prestigious British curriculum institution that prides itself on fostering a strong community and upholding the highest academic standards. Catering to students from FS1 to Year 8, the school is poised for an exciting period of strategic expansion, with plans to extend to Year 9 in September 2026 and eventually through to Year 13 in the following years.
With a diverse student body of over 850 individuals from more than 48 nationalities, GEMS Royal Dubai School provides a genuinely global educational experience. In September 2026, we will also unveil a new, purpose-designed Secondary campus — a cutting-edge facility aimed at elevating our world-class offerings across two locations.
The Role
We are on the lookout for an outstanding and ambitious leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as Head of School – Secondary starting in September 2026. This represents a unique opportunity to significantly influence the development of our Secondary phase as it transitions from Key Stage 3 to post-16 education.
The ideal candidate will be a vibrant, self-driven leader with a proven history of enhancing standards, motivating teams, and achieving exceptional results for students. The position involves a teaching commitment, empowering the postholder to exemplify excellence in practice while promoting the #RoyalStandard throughout the Secondary phase.
• Provide strategic oversight of academic performance and student personal growth throughout the Secondary phase, collaborating with effective middle leadership teams.
• Establish and maintain robust, trusted relationships with parents, actively supporting the school’s #ParentsAsPartners vision.
• Exhibit in-depth knowledge of curriculum, assessment, and effective teaching practices across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5 of the National Curriculum for England, including both academic and alternative pathways.
• Employ student performance data strategically to optimize progress and tailor learning pathways for all students.
• Consistently monitor, support, and exemplify outstanding teaching and learning, encouraging innovation informed by educational research.
• Maintain the highest standards of safeguarding and student wellbeing, prioritizing personal, social, and emotional development within school life.
• Play a key role in self-assessment and school development planning, triangulating evidence to assess impact and drive ongoing improvement.
• Exemplify a high-performance mindset, remaining reflective, resilient, and solution-oriented.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues, students, and parents, showcasing exceptional interpersonal and communication abilities.
• Demonstrate a desire to contribute to and grow within a world-class educational environment, advocating for professional learning and development.
• Actively contribute to a vibrant school culture by engaging in extracurricular activities and community events.
• Step in for the Principal and/or Vice Principal as necessary, including overseeing effective site management.
The Ideal Candidate
You will be an inspiring Secondary leader who is passionate about teaching and learning, enthusiastic about school growth, and dedicated to ensuring excellence for every student. You will flourish in a dynamic, forward-thinking environment and be driven by the opportunity to create a lasting impact.
Application Process
If you possess a dynamic and innovative leadership style and are committed to achieving the best outcomes for students and staff, we would be thrilled to receive your application.
To apply or inquire further about the role, please send the following to hr_rds@gemsedu.com:
• An updated CV detailing your roles, responsibilities, and experience
• A cover letter outlining your suitability for the position
• A one-page document demonstrating the impact you have made in your current role
Shortlisting will commence on 16 February 2026.
With a diverse student body of over 850 individuals from more than 48 nationalities, GEMS Royal Dubai School provides a genuinely global educational experience. In September 2026, we will also unveil a new, purpose-designed Secondary campus — a cutting-edge facility aimed at elevating our world-class offerings across two locations.
The Role
We are on the lookout for an outstanding and ambitious leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as Head of School – Secondary starting in September 2026. This represents a unique opportunity to significantly influence the development of our Secondary phase as it transitions from Key Stage 3 to post-16 education.
The ideal candidate will be a vibrant, self-driven leader with a proven history of enhancing standards, motivating teams, and achieving exceptional results for students. The position involves a teaching commitment, empowering the postholder to exemplify excellence in practice while promoting the #RoyalStandard throughout the Secondary phase.
Key Responsibilities
The Head of School – Secondary will:• Provide strategic oversight of academic performance and student personal growth throughout the Secondary phase, collaborating with effective middle leadership teams.
• Establish and maintain robust, trusted relationships with parents, actively supporting the school’s #ParentsAsPartners vision.
• Exhibit in-depth knowledge of curriculum, assessment, and effective teaching practices across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5 of the National Curriculum for England, including both academic and alternative pathways.
• Employ student performance data strategically to optimize progress and tailor learning pathways for all students.
• Consistently monitor, support, and exemplify outstanding teaching and learning, encouraging innovation informed by educational research.
• Maintain the highest standards of safeguarding and student wellbeing, prioritizing personal, social, and emotional development within school life.
• Play a key role in self-assessment and school development planning, triangulating evidence to assess impact and drive ongoing improvement.
• Exemplify a high-performance mindset, remaining reflective, resilient, and solution-oriented.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues, students, and parents, showcasing exceptional interpersonal and communication abilities.
• Demonstrate a desire to contribute to and grow within a world-class educational environment, advocating for professional learning and development.
• Actively contribute to a vibrant school culture by engaging in extracurricular activities and community events.
• Step in for the Principal and/or Vice Principal as necessary, including overseeing effective site management.
The Ideal Candidate
You will be an inspiring Secondary leader who is passionate about teaching and learning, enthusiastic about school growth, and dedicated to ensuring excellence for every student. You will flourish in a dynamic, forward-thinking environment and be driven by the opportunity to create a lasting impact.
Application Process
If you possess a dynamic and innovative leadership style and are committed to achieving the best outcomes for students and staff, we would be thrilled to receive your application.
To apply or inquire further about the role, please send the following to hr_rds@gemsedu.com:
• An updated CV detailing your roles, responsibilities, and experience
• A cover letter outlining your suitability for the position
• A one-page document demonstrating the impact you have made in your current role
Shortlisting will commence on 16 February 2026.