Deputy Head of Primary

The deputy Head of Primary, under the direction of the Head of Primary, will take a major role in:

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

·       To promote and embody the ‘The GFM Way’ so that it is always at the core of school improvement work ensuring children are at the heart of everything we do.

·       Assist in shaping & implementing the school strategic plan, excellence plan and any other school priority improvement initiatives.

·       To contribute to and also provide leadership and management of the staff and students.

·       To ensure a high-quality school experience for all students, securing desired outcomes.

·       To ensure a high-quality customer experience for all parents.

·       Ensuring high academic standards in the 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.

·       Formulating the aims and objectives of the school and establishing policies for achieving these aims and objectives

·       Managing staff and resources to that end

·       Monitoring progress towards the achievement of the school’s aims and objectives

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

Duties and responsibilities

School culture and behaviour 

·       Relentlessly uphold The GFM Way

·       Embrace and encourage the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the GEMS Core Values.

·       Work closely with the Head of School, Primary Leadership Team and Vice Principal to establish effective and globally relevant practices of learning & teaching.  Implement the school’s vision for quality in the school linked with the GEMS expectation of excellent education.

·       Create a culture where students experience a positive and enriching school life

·       Uphold educational standards in order to prepare students from all backgrounds for their next phase of education and life

·       Ensure a culture of staff professionalism

·       Encourage high standards of behaviour from students, built on rules and routines that are understood by staff and students and clearly demonstrated by all adults in school

·       Use consistent and fair approaches to managing behaviour, in line with the school’s behaviour policy

Teaching, curriculum and assessment

·       Champion the Teach Like a GEM

·       Champion Instructional Coaching and the use of Steplab  

·       Establish and sustain high-quality teaching across all subjects and phases, based on evidence

·       Ensure teaching is underpinned by subject expertise 

·       Develop monitoring and evaluation systems to assess teaching and learning standards, and implement any necessary improvement strategies.

·       Ensure the teaching of a broad, structured and coherent curriculum

·       Establish curriculum leadership, including subject leaders with relevant expertise and access to professional networks and communities

·       Use valid, reliable and proportionate approaches to assessing students’ knowledge and understanding of the curriculum 

Additional and special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities

·       Promote a culture and practices that enables all students to access the curriculum 

·       Have ambitious expectations for all students with SEN and disabilities

·       Make sure the school works effectively with the parents to identify additional needs and provide support and adaptation where appropriate

Organisational management and school improvement

·       Establish and sustain the school’s ethos and strategic direction together with the governing board and through consultation with the school community

·       Establish and oversee systems, processes and policies so the school can operate effectively 

·       Ensure staff and students’ safety and welfare through effective approaches to safeguarding, as part of duty of care

·       Manage staff and student wellbeing 

·       Ensure rigorous approaches to identifying, managing and mitigating risk

·       Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness, and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the school’s context

·       Lead on school improvement areas and ensure strategies are effectively monitored, implemented and reviewed

Staff management and Professional development

·       Performance manage Assistant headteachers and middle leaders, including carrying out appraisals and holding staff to account to their performance

·       Ensure staff have access to appropriate, high standard professional development opportunities

·       Keep up to date with developments in education

·       Seek training and continuing professional development to meet needs

Governance, accountability and working in partnership

·       Understand and welcome the role of effective governance, including accepting responsibility

·       Ensure that staff understand their professional responsibilities and are held to account

·       Lead the school effectively and ensure it efficiently operates within the required regulatory frameworks and meets all statutory duties

·       Work successfully with other Founders or Cluster schools and organisations where appropriate

·       Maintain working relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues to improve educational outcomes for all students

Successful candidates will need to:

•  Have a certified teaching qualification, at degree level such as B.Ed, PGCE, PGDE or equivalent.
• At least 5 years of solid and demonstrable experience in teaching a Primary School in a British curriculum school
• Experience in a similar role
• The personal leadership qualities to developing trusting relationships, a coaching approach to development and be able to inspire others.
• The desire to provide outstanding teaching and learning
• Aspiration to work in a world class school with real prospects for enhancing their career
• Excellent IT and interpersonal communication skills to work closely with students and parents
• A creative and enthusiastic approach both in and out of the classroom

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.