Secondary SENDCo / ELL Coordinator - August 2027

GEMS Royal Dubai School is a vibrant, premium British curriculum school, educating students from FS1 to Year 9, expanding to include Year 10 in August 2027, and growing annually towards Year 13. With a diverse student body of over 870 students from more than 48 nationalities, our school combines a strong sense of community with a commitment to the highest academic standards. As we continue to grow, we are thrilled to announce the opening of our new, purpose-built secondary campus — a state-of-the-art facility designed to further enrich the world-class education we offer across two sites.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Secondary SENDCo / ELL Coordinator to join our exceptional team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in developing and strengthening provision for students with additional learning needs and those for whom English is an additional language, ensuring every student is supported to achieve their full potential as our secondary phase continues to grow.

If you are ambitious, collaborative and committed to inclusive education, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference and help drive the #RoyalStandard.

Job Purpose:

To lead and coordinate effective provision for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and English Language Learners (ELL) across the secondary phase. The postholder will ensure that students receive appropriate support, challenge and intervention to enable them to access the curriculum, make strong progress and achieve positive outcomes.

Working closely with teachers, school leaders, families and external professionals, the postholder will develop inclusive teaching practices, oversee individual student support plans and contribute to the strategic development of SEND and ELL provision as the secondary school grows.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

● Lead and coordinate SEND and ELL provision across the secondary phase, ensuring students' individual learning needs are identified, assessed and effectively supported.

● Oversee the identification, assessment, monitoring and review of students with additional learning needs, ensuring appropriate records, support plans and interventions are in place.

● Develop and implement effective strategies to support students with SEND and ELL, ensuring access to a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum.

● Work collaboratively with Heads of Department, teachers and support staff to embed inclusive classroom practices, adaptive teaching and appropriate differentiation across all subjects.

● Monitor student progress, analyse assessment data and evaluate the impact of interventions, ensuring timely action is taken to support students who may be at risk of underachievement.

● Provide guidance, coaching and professional development for teaching staff to strengthen their understanding of SEND, ELL and inclusive teaching strategies.

● Coordinate and oversee appropriate interventions, specialist support and additional learning provision, ensuring resources are used effectively to meet student needs.

● Build strong relationships with parents and families, ensuring clear communication, regular updates and meaningful involvement in their child's learning and development.

● Liaise with external specialists, therapists and other professionals where appropriate, coordinating additional assessments, recommendations and support.

● Support the transition of students into the secondary phase, ensuring continuity of provision and effective communication between primary and secondary teams.

● Contribute to the development of policies, procedures and provision in line with KHDA requirements, UAE inclusion guidance and GEMS Education expectations.

● Play an active role in the strategic development of SEND and ELL provision as the secondary phase expands, including preparation for future GCSE pathways.

● Promote student wellbeing, independence, confidence and positive outcomes, ensuring all students feel valued, included and supported.

● Demonstrate a reflective, solution-focused High-Performance mindset and engage fully in professional learning, coaching, appraisal and quality assurance.

● Promote and safeguard students' welfare and personal development, following all school policies, procedures and reporting requirements.

● Undertake any other reasonable duties consistent with the role, as directed by the Principal.

The successful candidate will have:

· A recognised teaching qualification (B.Ed, PGCE or equivalent), with Qualified Teacher Status.

· A relevant postgraduate qualification or specialist training in SEND, Inclusion, ELL or a related field.

· Proven experience leading or coordinating SEND and/or ELL provision within a British curriculum school.

· Strong knowledge of inclusive education, adaptive teaching, intervention strategies and individual learning plans.

· Experience supporting students across the secondary age range, with an understanding of the academic and pastoral demands of GCSE pathways.

· A strong understanding of assessment, student progress tracking and the effective use of data to inform intervention.

· Knowledge of relevant UAE inclusion requirements and KHDA expectations.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with students, staff, parents and external professionals.

· The ability to lead, influence and support colleagues in developing inclusive classroom practice.

· A proactive, organised and solution-focused approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.

· The ambition, adaptability and collaborative mindset required to contribute to a growing secondary school.

· A genuine passion for ensuring that every student is supported, challenged and given the opportunity to succeed.

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are dedicated to creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments where students can thrive, and we expect all employees, volunteers, and partners to share this commitment.

As part of our safer recruitment practices, all successful applicants will be subject to comprehensive pre-employment checks, including verification of identity, qualifications, employment history, professional references, and criminal record checks from all countries of residence and employment, in line with local and international safeguarding requirements. These checks may include enhanced disclosure, prohibition, barring, and overseas police clearance checks where applicable. We are committed to recruiting individuals who uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and child protection.