Head of Secondary Opportunity with ISP – Middle East

🌟 Head of Secondary Opportunity with ISP – Middle East 🌍

Are you an inspiring and forward-thinking leader ready to make a lasting impact in education? As ISP continues its rapid growth and expands its network of schools across the Middle East, we are seeking exceptional individuals to join us as Heads of Secondary for the 2025/26 academic year.

This full-time, on-site role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of secondary education across our Middle East schools, driving innovation, excellence, and student success.

We are looking for experienced and forward-thinking Heads of Secondary or aspiring Deputy Heads ready to take the next step in their leadership journey. Candidates with a proven track record in delivering the UK, IB, or American curriculum—and experience within the Middle East—are highly encouraged to apply.

If you're ready to elevate your career and join a global organization committed to providing world-class education, we want to hear from you. Together, let's create inspiring learning environments where students thrive, staff excel, and communities connect.

Role Purpose:

The Head of Secondary provides dynamic leadership to ensure excellence in all aspects of Secondary school offering and programmes. By fostering a clear and inspiring vision, they unite the school community and Senior Leadership Team in pursuit of shared goals. Working collaboratively with leadership, they oversee the curriculum, teaching, and assessment to drive exceptional student engagement, achievement, and progress for all learners. They drive ISP’s Learning First strategy and ensure a clear focus an on academic achievement.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

Key Responsibilities

1.   Leadership and Management

• Lead all aspects of the secondary department, ensuring smooth operations and excellence in teaching and learning.
• Contribute to the leadership and daily management of the whole school.
• Lead, mentor, and direct the work of others effectively to achieve the school’s goals.
• Build strong relationships and establish credibility as a leader of teaching and learning.

2.   Student Care and Development

• Ensure the safety, well-being, and holistic development of all students.
• Strive for the highest possible outcomes for all children.
• Develop and enhance enrichment programs and activities, such as extracurricular offerings.

3.   Teaching and Learning

• Improve teaching standards, particularly supporting teachers to consistently deliver high-quality lessons.
• Develop and align secondary school pathways and curriculum with student interests, local requirements, and budget considerations.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of SEF, SIP, and related documents to maintain high standards.

4.   Community Engagement

• Actively participate in the school’s community through newsletters, informal dialogues, events, and marketing initiatives.
• Lead key school events such as sports evenings, family workshops, information sessions, and coffee mornings.
• Collaborate with the marketing and admissions team to maximize enrolments and minimize student attrition.

5.   Professional Development and Performance

• Lead staff training and participate in performance management processes for self and others.
• Promote staff retention by fostering a sense of connectedness and shared vision.

6.   Strategic Development

• Ensure the staffing and leadership structures effectively support standards improvement and outstanding inspection outcomes.
• Contribute to the strategic direction and continuous improvement of the secondary school.

Essential:

• Recognized qualified teacher status (QTS) or equivalent.
• A minimum of 5 years of post-qualification teaching experience,
• Prior senior leadership experience in a secondary or through-school setting (e.g., Deputy Head, Vice Principal).
• Proven experience raising academic standards and achieving high outcomes in external assessments.
• Expertise in developing secondary curricula and preparing students for life beyond school.
• Experience in growing a school, including enhancing enrolment and retention rates.
• Demonstrated ability to lead learning communities and maintain professional relationships with all stakeholders.
• Willingness to work beyond standard expectations to contribute to school success.

Desirable:

• Experience working in an international school setting, particularly in the UAE or Middle East
• Educational leadership qualifications (e.g., MA in Education, NPQ).
• Experience with BTEC/IBDP/IBCP /AP programmes
• Proven track record of positive inspection and accreditation experience with DSIB/ADEK/QNSA/ COBIS/ Neasc or BSO.

Personal Attributes:

• A deep understanding of the ethos of British and American curricula and how to maintain it.
• Visionary leadership with the ability to inspire and motivate staff and students.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Passion for contributing to a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.

This role offers the opportunity to lead and shape the future of secondary education within a vibrant, diverse school community.

ISP Leadership Competencies

You consistently demonstrate and role-model the ISP Leadership Competencies in all that you do.

1. Collaboration. Takes an active part in leading their school or region; is cooperative and a genuine team player, developing positive, supportive relationships with colleagues to solve problems and maximise opportunities.
2. Learning & Getting Better. Continually demonstrates personal commitment and passion for learning and getting better using evidence and feedback; supporting others in their continual learning, development and growth.
3. Innovation Leadership. Is good at creating an environment where ideas for learning initiatives and services are generated and is able to motivate and inspire others through the process of creation through to completion.
4. Outcome driven. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to exceed goals and is focused on KPIs.
5. 5Resilience. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.
6. Community Focus. Is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our students and their families.
7. Integrity & Ethical Management. Has the ability to work ethically and with integrity; helps others feel valued; upholds and models the ISP Vision, Purpose and Principles.
8. Leading & Inspiring Others. Supports, encourages and inspires students, colleagues and teams so that they give their best.
9. Understanding People. Is a very good judge of talent, can objectively articulate the strengths and motivations of people inside or outside the organisation.
10. Influencing & Communication. Consistently informs, influences and inspires students, parents and colleagues through timely and effective communication.
11. Agile. Responds and adapts to changing circumstances; manages and solves problems by providing solutions in a climate of ambiguity.
12. Strategic, Commercial & Financial Awareness. Has the ability to apply understanding of the business and industry to improve effectiveness and profitability.
13. Planning & Decision Making. Makes decisions on the best course of action and then plans, organises, prioritises and balances resources to achieve the desired outcome.
14. Diversity & Equity. Has the sensitivity, awareness and skill to understand the values, behaviours, attitudes and practices across cultures that supports all children and adults to learn and work effectively. 

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.  

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.