Head of Primary - September 2023

When you join GEMS Education you join an international education company with a global network of International schools and over fifty years of education experience. GEMS Education is the leading Kindergarten to Grade 12 operator in the world educating over 110,000 children from 151 different nationalities. GEMS Education staff access the company’s professional development programme, one of the largest education training programmes in the world. This ensures the best possible academic outcomes as while ensuring that GEMS attracts and retains the highest staff calibre.

To find out more about GEMS Education visit: www.gemseducation.com

The School:

GEMS Metropole School, located in Motor City in Dubai, opened its doors in September 2014 and has continued to flourish and grow in student number and stature. The school is now open to students from FS1 to Year 11 and will continue to grow to become a full FS to Year 13 through school of 4200 students offering the National Curriculum for England. In such a small time, the school has become well-known for their key areas of success through the development of Engineering in Education and Health and Wellbeing as well as piloting the Skills in Schools initiative. In addition, the school has well-equipped classrooms, a highly competitive sports department, digital media rooms, innovation laboratories, dedicated science labs, music, art rooms and libraries. Most recently the school has completely overhauled its digital strategy to lay the foundations to further its position as a leader in associated technologies in the region. Students from our Foundation Stage classes have access to attractive indoor and outdoor learning areas, high-quality Information Technology provision, and most recently a special weekly visit to the STEAM laboratory, dedicated to students in the Early Years. In the Primary section, with the use of 1:1 technologies, students and teachers in the Primary section use iPads and interactive whiteboards to enhance learning opportunities where appropriate. The Secondary school continues to develop and grow and has seen the LEAD and skills programme blossom supporting students to make informed decisions and develop their learning and leadership skills. A new focus of personalised pathways is supporting students in their preparation for life after school and their journey towards success. In conclusion, GEMS Metropole School has recently been awarded accreditation status with the British School Overseas (BSO) and is a member of the British Schools of the Middle East (BSME). This allows both teachers and students alike to continue to grow and develop with the rich traditions of the National Curriculum offerings and align itself with ‘like schools’ across the region and overseas.

http://www.gemsmetropoleschool-dubai.com/

About the Role:

GEMS Metropole are looking for an outstanding, innovative, Head of Primary to join the team and play a key role on the Executive Leadership Team supporting the Principal/ CEO in driving forward the Primary school from August 2023.

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the schools Vision and Mission as well as all policies, academic standards and pastoral support, alongside shaping & implementing the educational strategy for the school.

You will also take a lead on moving the school towards Outstanding BSO and Very Good DSIB inspection rating in the coming years.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Embracing and encouraging the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the GEMS Core Values.

• Overseeing all aspects of provision in the Primary School as the school develops.

• Ensuring high quality care and support for students in the Primary School.

• Ensuring high academic standards in the Primary School in relation to the schools own desire for all students to be the best they can as well as a commitment to the UAE National Agenda targets.

• Managing budgets and undertake teaching and other professional duties as reasonably delegated by the Principal.

To be considered for this role, candidates must be:

• An effective and dynamic leader with a proven track record in sustained school improvement that can be demonstrated through hard data.

• Rigorous in promoting excellence and developing commitment to high standards of care and opportunities for all.

• Able to demonstrate success of leading and managing staff including promoting and developing innovative approaches to learning.

• Experienced in developing teacher’s skills and competencies through a sustained school improvement model such as coaching.

• Able to demonstrate a comprehensive and confident knowledge of best practice pedagogy from FS to Y6 or a significant age range span.

• Able to demonstrate a desire to be innovative and creative in the provision offered for all learners to ensure everyone can succeed.

• Knowledgeable in computational thinking and skills needed to succeed through vocational pathways or a willingness to learn about these.

• Able to demonstrate a commitment to inclusion.

• Able to demonstrate genuine passion towards the wider co-curricular life of a school.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education or other relevant field with a teaching qualification

• 10 years’ educational experience with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a leadership role

• NPQH or other relevant senior leadership qualifications (desirable)

If you meet these criteria, are enthusiastic about teaching and learning and have the drive and passion to get the most from our students then we would welcome your application.

All positions attract an excellent remuneration package including:

Competitive tax-free salary, individual fully furnished accommodation, free schooling, private medical insurance, annual airfares to country of residence, and end of Service Gratuity.

GEMS Teachers also have free access to our loyalty app GEMS rewards www.gemsrewards.com which provides significant savings on day to day life in the UAE. We offer thousands of discounts and 2 for 1 offers on everything from flights, hotels, restaurants and retail outlets, making your salary go further and enhancing the opportunity to save whilst working overseas.