Head of EYFS - August 2026

We are seeking to appoint an exceptional Head of EYFS to join our team either immediately or in August 2026. The successful candidate will be instrumental in supporting the school's Vision and Mission, along with all related policies, academic standards, and pastoral care within the Primary school.

Key Purpose
In collaboration with the Principal and Head of Primary, the Head of EYFS will hold overall accountability for the daily and strategic management of the Primary school. This role involves leading, managing, and overseeing progress tracking, curriculum planning, promoting Behaviour for Learning, and engaging with parents to help realize the school’s vision.

Main Purpose
The Head of EYFS will play a crucial role in:
- Embracing and promoting the ethos and standards of excellence outlined in the GEMS Core Values.
- Ensuring high academic performance within the Early Years, aligned with the commitment to the UAE National Agenda targets and the aspiration for all students to excel.
- Developing the school’s aims and objectives.
- Establishing policies to achieve these aims and objectives.
- Managing staff and resources effectively to that end.
- Monitoring progress towards fulfilling the school’s objectives.
- Managing budgets and fulfilling teaching and other professional responsibilities as reasonably assigned by the Principal.
- Assisting in shaping and executing the school’s educational strategy.

Qualities
- Maintain public trust in school leadership, upholding high standards of ethics, behavior, and professional conduct.
- Foster positive and respectful relationships within the school community, including with parents.
- Act in the best interests of the school’s students.
- Serve as an effective role model who consistently embodies the positive attitudes, values, and behaviors expected from students.
- Contribute positively to the overall life and ethos of the school.
- Treat students and staff with dignity, establishing relationships based on mutual respect while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

Duties and Responsibilities
**School Culture and Behaviour**
- Embrace and promote the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the GEMS Core Values.
- Collaborate closely with the Head of Primary to implement effective, globally relevant learning and teaching practices.
- Create an environment where students enjoy a positive and enriching school experience.
- Uphold educational standards to prepare students from diverse backgrounds for their next educational and life phases.
- Ensure a culture of professionalism among staff.
- Encourage high behavioral standards from students, established through clear rules and routines understood by both staff and students, and exemplified by all adults in the school.
- Apply consistent and fair behavior management strategies in accordance with the school’s behavior policy.

**Teaching, Curriculum, and Assessment**
- Establish and maintain high-quality teaching across all subjects and phases, grounded in evidence.
- Ensure teaching is supported by subject expertise.
- Develop monitoring and evaluation systems to assess teaching and learning standards, implementing necessary improvement strategies.
- Ensure the delivery of a broad, structured, and coherent curriculum.
- Foster curriculum leadership, including subject leaders with appropriate expertise and access to professional networks.
- Utilize valid, reliable, and proportionate methods to assess students’ understanding of the curriculum.

**Additional and Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disabilities**
- Cultivate a culture and practices that enable all students to engage with the curriculum.
- Set ambitious expectations for all students with SEN and disabilities.
- Ensure effective collaboration with parents to identify additional needs and provide suitable support and adaptations.

**Organizational Management and School Improvement**
- Together with the governing board and through community consultation, establish and maintain the school’s ethos and strategic direction.
- Design and oversee systems, processes, and policies that allow the school to function effectively.
- Ensure the safety and welfare of staff and students through practical safeguarding measures as part of duty of care.
- Manage staff and student wellbeing.
- Implement rigorous strategies for identifying, managing, and mitigating risks.
- Recognize challenges to school effectiveness and develop realistic, timely strategies for improvement that suit the school’s context.
- Lead on areas of school improvement, ensuring strategies are monitored, implemented, and reviewed effectively.

**Staff Management and Professional Development**
- Conduct performance management for assigned staff, including appraisals and holding staff accountable for their performance.
- Provide staff with access to high-quality professional development opportunities.
- Stay informed about developments in education.
- Seek ongoing training and development to meet personal and professional needs.

**Governance, Accountability, and Partnership**
- Understand and embrace the importance of effective governance, including accepting responsibility.
- Ensure staff are aware of their professional responsibilities and are held accountable.
- Lead the school efficiently, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks and meeting all statutory obligations.
- Collaborate successfully with other schools and organizations as appropriate.
- Maintain professional relationships with colleagues to enhance educational outcomes for all students.