Head of Primary School - August 2026
Status
Actively Hiring
Date Listed23 March 2026
ContractPermanent
PlatformW5_SYNC
About This Role
Al Ain English Speaking School (AAESS) is on the lookout for a dedicated and enthusiastic Head of Primary School to join us starting August 2026.
This pivotal leadership position will guide the Primary School with inspiring vision and a heartfelt commitment to student welfare. The right candidate will uphold the highest standards in teaching, learning, and pastoral care, cultivating an atmosphere of warmth, ambition, and inclusiveness, where students flourish and staff are empowered to excel.
About Cognita:
Cognita stands as a global frontrunner in independent education. Established in 2004, we have expanded into a community of over 100 schools across 16 nations—spanning Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East—serving upwards of 85,000 students. While each school boasts its own unique identity, our shared mission remains to foster an environment where everyone can "Thrive in a rapidly evolving world."
At Cognita, we recognize the individuality of every student. We nurture their unique traits and capabilities, providing support academically, socially, and emotionally, no matter where they are located. We safeguard their distinctiveness while delivering abundant knowledge, opportunities, and best practices, allowing them to experience world-class education as part of a larger community.
About AAESS:
Located in Al Ain, one of the oldest schools in the area, Al Ain English Speaking School has a reputation that extends beyond the city limits. Nestled in the 'Garden City,' known for its desert oasis, AAESS accommodates over 2,200 students aged 3 to 19 and is continuously expanding. Our campus is spacious and inviting, with excellent facilities including an indoor swimming pool, floodlit tennis courts, a 566-seat auditorium, a food preparation and nutrition kitchen, an automotive garage, a TV and radio production studio, and two Apple Mac suites. We follow the British Curriculum, offering iGCSE, AS, and A Levels, with our sixth form students gaining admission to prestigious universities worldwide.
AAESS is proud to be the first school in Al Ain to receive the British Schools Overseas Award, recognized by the British Government and quality assured by Ofsted. Additionally, we hold the distinguished Silver Carnegie Mental Health Award, highlighting our commitment to both academic excellence and the mental well-being of our students and staff.
Al Ain English Speaking School fosters a caring, multicultural community, empowering every individual to reach their full potential within a dynamic and innovative learning environment. We value inquiry, perseverance, and reflection, treating each other with respect and integrity as we work together to develop responsible and resourceful global citizens.
Core Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Vision
• Guide the Primary School with clarity, purpose, and compassion, ensuring every child feels known, supported, and inspired.
• Partner with the Principal and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to define and execute the school’s strategic vision.
• Embed the school’s values and mission throughout Primary School operations.
• Align the Junior School with overarching school priorities, ensuring continuity in curriculum, transitions, and a unified culture with the Senior School.
• Utilize data, self-assessment, and feedback from stakeholders to identify and implement effective school improvement initiatives.
• Oversee the curriculum design and development for Foundation Stage and Key Stages 1–2, ensuring diversity, balance, and inclusivity.
• Lead and encourage a dynamic team of Deputy and Assistant Heads, Phase Leaders, and teachers with trust, clarity, and respect.
Requirements
• Extensive and successful leadership experience in a primary or junior educational setting.
• Demonstrated success in leading school improvement initiatives and managing change.
• Thorough understanding of the English National Curriculum.
• Inspirational communicator and leader, possessing emotional intelligence and humility.
• Strong organizational and administrative capabilities.
• Familiarity with the EYFS framework and the transition to Key Stage 1.
• Collaborative, empathetic, and proficient in building strong professional relationships.
• Passionate about children's learning, well-being, and character formation.
• Skilled in curriculum design and innovation.
• Confident in leveraging data for planning and decision-making.
• Experienced in developing and leading high-performing teams.
Key Accountabilities
• Serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and chairs the Primary School ELT.
• Reports directly to the Principal.
• Responsible for safeguarding, operational management, and maintaining academic and pastoral standards in the Primary School.
• Directly manages Primary School Deputy Heads, Assistant Heads, and Phase Leaders.
• Represents the Primary School at governor meetings and whole-school forums as needed.
Desirable Attributes
• Experience within international schools.
• Background in leading a Junior School with transitions into a Senior School environment.
In Return, We Offer
• A tax-free salary.
• High-quality furnished accommodation.
• Comprehensive medical insurance.
• Annual return flights to your home country.
• Coverage for visa costs and end-of-service gratuity.
• Year-round sunshine.
Benefits of living in Al Ain & the UAE:
Residing in Al Ain City provides teachers with a cost-effective living experience in a friendly and cosmopolitan environment. Staff benefit from an excellent lifestyle with abundant leisure options (e.g., Rugby, Golf, Swimming, discounted hotel memberships) and intriguing tourist spots (e.g., Al Ain Zoo, Wadi Adventure, Jebel Hafeet). With the vibrant cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi nearby, staff have ample opportunities for travel throughout the Gulf region and beyond.
This is a full-time, permanent position offering a highly competitive salary. Applications should be submitted through the TES online application form; only fully completed applications will be considered. To enhance your application, please attach your current, up-to-date CV. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
The school retains the discretion to interview and hire strong candidates before the official closing date, thus we encourage early applications.
Al Ain English Speaking School and Cognita are dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people, expecting the same commitment from our employees. All new hires will undergo thorough and enhanced pre-employment screening, which includes identity verification, criminal background checks for all countries of residence, qualification verification, employment history checks to address any gaps, and satisfactory references for all employment over the last decade.
This pivotal leadership position will guide the Primary School with inspiring vision and a heartfelt commitment to student welfare. The right candidate will uphold the highest standards in teaching, learning, and pastoral care, cultivating an atmosphere of warmth, ambition, and inclusiveness, where students flourish and staff are empowered to excel.
About Cognita:
Cognita stands as a global frontrunner in independent education. Established in 2004, we have expanded into a community of over 100 schools across 16 nations—spanning Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East—serving upwards of 85,000 students. While each school boasts its own unique identity, our shared mission remains to foster an environment where everyone can "Thrive in a rapidly evolving world."
At Cognita, we recognize the individuality of every student. We nurture their unique traits and capabilities, providing support academically, socially, and emotionally, no matter where they are located. We safeguard their distinctiveness while delivering abundant knowledge, opportunities, and best practices, allowing them to experience world-class education as part of a larger community.
About AAESS:
Located in Al Ain, one of the oldest schools in the area, Al Ain English Speaking School has a reputation that extends beyond the city limits. Nestled in the 'Garden City,' known for its desert oasis, AAESS accommodates over 2,200 students aged 3 to 19 and is continuously expanding. Our campus is spacious and inviting, with excellent facilities including an indoor swimming pool, floodlit tennis courts, a 566-seat auditorium, a food preparation and nutrition kitchen, an automotive garage, a TV and radio production studio, and two Apple Mac suites. We follow the British Curriculum, offering iGCSE, AS, and A Levels, with our sixth form students gaining admission to prestigious universities worldwide.
AAESS is proud to be the first school in Al Ain to receive the British Schools Overseas Award, recognized by the British Government and quality assured by Ofsted. Additionally, we hold the distinguished Silver Carnegie Mental Health Award, highlighting our commitment to both academic excellence and the mental well-being of our students and staff.
Al Ain English Speaking School fosters a caring, multicultural community, empowering every individual to reach their full potential within a dynamic and innovative learning environment. We value inquiry, perseverance, and reflection, treating each other with respect and integrity as we work together to develop responsible and resourceful global citizens.
Core Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Vision
• Guide the Primary School with clarity, purpose, and compassion, ensuring every child feels known, supported, and inspired.
• Partner with the Principal and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to define and execute the school’s strategic vision.
• Embed the school’s values and mission throughout Primary School operations.
• Align the Junior School with overarching school priorities, ensuring continuity in curriculum, transitions, and a unified culture with the Senior School.
• Utilize data, self-assessment, and feedback from stakeholders to identify and implement effective school improvement initiatives.
• Oversee the curriculum design and development for Foundation Stage and Key Stages 1–2, ensuring diversity, balance, and inclusivity.
• Lead and encourage a dynamic team of Deputy and Assistant Heads, Phase Leaders, and teachers with trust, clarity, and respect.
Requirements
• Extensive and successful leadership experience in a primary or junior educational setting.
• Demonstrated success in leading school improvement initiatives and managing change.
• Thorough understanding of the English National Curriculum.
• Inspirational communicator and leader, possessing emotional intelligence and humility.
• Strong organizational and administrative capabilities.
• Familiarity with the EYFS framework and the transition to Key Stage 1.
• Collaborative, empathetic, and proficient in building strong professional relationships.
• Passionate about children's learning, well-being, and character formation.
• Skilled in curriculum design and innovation.
• Confident in leveraging data for planning and decision-making.
• Experienced in developing and leading high-performing teams.
Key Accountabilities
• Serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and chairs the Primary School ELT.
• Reports directly to the Principal.
• Responsible for safeguarding, operational management, and maintaining academic and pastoral standards in the Primary School.
• Directly manages Primary School Deputy Heads, Assistant Heads, and Phase Leaders.
• Represents the Primary School at governor meetings and whole-school forums as needed.
Desirable Attributes
• Experience within international schools.
• Background in leading a Junior School with transitions into a Senior School environment.
In Return, We Offer
• A tax-free salary.
• High-quality furnished accommodation.
• Comprehensive medical insurance.
• Annual return flights to your home country.
• Coverage for visa costs and end-of-service gratuity.
• Year-round sunshine.
Benefits of living in Al Ain & the UAE:
Residing in Al Ain City provides teachers with a cost-effective living experience in a friendly and cosmopolitan environment. Staff benefit from an excellent lifestyle with abundant leisure options (e.g., Rugby, Golf, Swimming, discounted hotel memberships) and intriguing tourist spots (e.g., Al Ain Zoo, Wadi Adventure, Jebel Hafeet). With the vibrant cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi nearby, staff have ample opportunities for travel throughout the Gulf region and beyond.
This is a full-time, permanent position offering a highly competitive salary. Applications should be submitted through the TES online application form; only fully completed applications will be considered. To enhance your application, please attach your current, up-to-date CV. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
The school retains the discretion to interview and hire strong candidates before the official closing date, thus we encourage early applications.
Al Ain English Speaking School and Cognita are dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people, expecting the same commitment from our employees. All new hires will undergo thorough and enhanced pre-employment screening, which includes identity verification, criminal background checks for all countries of residence, qualification verification, employment history checks to address any gaps, and satisfactory references for all employment over the last decade.