Assistant Headteacher - Primary

Gems Education UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 223,200 - 357,120; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive tax-free salary

Fully furnished accommodation

Private medical insurance

Annual return airfares

End of Service Gratuity

Access to GEMS Rewards

Job summary

Gems Education UAE in Dubai is seeking an Assistant Headteacher - Primary with experience in Primary-Secondary Education. The successful candidate will lead school improvement and enhance teaching quality in a British curriculum environment.

This role requires strong leadership along with effective communication skills to mentor teachers and improve student outcomes. The position offers competitive salary and benefits including accommodation, medical insurance, and access to various rewards.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership and management experience within a school setting.
• Experience at Key Stage level or in a middle or senior leadership role is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of primary curriculum design, assessment, teaching standards, and student progress tracking.

Responsibilities

• Lead and model excellent classroom practice across the primary phase.
• Support school improvement, staff development, and safeguarding.
• Coach and mentor teachers to improve lesson quality and student engagement.

Skills

Primary school leadership

British curriculum

Safeguarding

School improvement

Teacher coaching

Data-driven improvement

Inclusion

Education

BEd or equivalent recognised teaching qualification

Job description

Assistant Headteacher - Primary Job Snapshot

Assistant Headteacher - Primary in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a senior Primary-Secondary Education opportunity for an experienced school leader who can support whole‑school improvement, lead excellent classroom practice, strengthen teaching quality, and improve student outcomes within a British curriculum school environment.

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Industry: Primary-Secondary Education. Function: School-College Administration. Salary (tax‑free): 20,000–32,000 AED. Job Type: Full‑time.

Job Details

The Assistant Headteacher - Primary will work closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team to support school improvement, staff development, safeguarding, curriculum standards, and positive student outcomes. The role requires an experienced leader who can model excellent teaching, guide primary teachers, strengthen assessment and inclusion practices, and help prepare the school for KHDA inspection expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and model excellent classroom practice across the primary phase in line with GEMS Teaching and Learning Policy.
• Support the consistent use of Teach Like a GEMS Educator and Read Like a GEMS Educator across teaching teams.
• Work with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team to drive school improvement, staff development, safeguarding, and operational priorities.
• Coach and mentor teachers to improve lesson quality, assessment practice, differentiation, inclusion, and student engagement.
• Use data, assessment evidence, and progress tracking to identify learning gaps and improve student outcomes.
• Support KHDA inspection readiness through quality assurance, documentation, evidence gathering, and improvement planning.
• Promote high standards of behaviour, student wellbeing, inclusion, and a strong culture of respect across the primary section.
• Contribute to curriculum design, assessment frameworks, intervention planning, and student progress review processes.
• Build productive relationships with teachers, students, parents, support staff, senior leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Encourage collaborative planning, reflective practice, professional dialogue, and shared responsibility for school improvement.
• Support staff in creating inclusive classrooms where students are challenged, supported, and motivated to achieve.
• Help identify professional development needs and contribute to coaching, training, mentoring, and team development activities.
• Maintain high standards of communication, confidentiality, leadership conduct, and administrative follow‑through.
• Participate in wider school initiatives, community events, and leadership activities that strengthen school culture.
• Follow GEMS Education policies, safeguarding requirements, school procedures, and professional codes of conduct at all times.

Ideal Profile

• Qualified teacher with a BEd, Bachelor’s degree with PGCE, PGDE, or equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience within a school setting.
• Experience at Key Stage level or in a middle or senior leadership role is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of primary curriculum design, assessment, teaching standards, and student progress tracking.
• Proven ability to use data effectively to improve learning outcomes and support school improvement priorities.
• Strong classroom practice with the ability to model excellent teaching and learning for colleagues.
• Experience promoting high standards of behaviour, inclusion, safeguarding, and student wellbeing.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working with staff, students, parents, leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to motivate, support, guide, and inspire teams.
• Ability to manage multiple leadership responsibilities while maintaining accuracy, professionalism, and calm judgement.
• Strong commitment to continuous improvement, reflective practice, and the values of GEMS Founders schools.
• Experience in a British curriculum or international school environment is an advantage.
• A UK‑enhanced DBS or equivalent police clearance is required for appointment.

Skills Set

• Primary school leadership
• School improvement
• British curriculum
• School‑College Administration
• Teaching and learning leadership
• Curriculum design
• Assessment leadership
• Student progress tracking
• Data‑driven improvement
• KHDA inspection readiness
• Teacher coaching
• Staff mentoring
• Classroom practice
• Inclusion
• Safeguarding
• Student wellbeing
• Positive behaviour
• Primary phase leadership
• Senior Leadership Team support
• Quality assurance
• Professional development
• Parent communication
• Stakeholder engagement
• Team leadership
• GEMS Teaching and Learning Policy
• Teach Like a GEMS Educator
• Read Like a GEMS Educator

Why Join Us

This role offers an excellent opportunity for an Assistant Headteacher - Primary to take the next step in school leadership within Dubai's Primary‑Secondary Education sector. The position provides exposure to a BSO‑accredited school environment, experienced senior leaders, high‑impact improvement work, and professional growth pathways across the global GEMS Education network.

The remuneration package includes a competitive tax‑free salary, individual fully furnished accommodation, free schooling for eligible dependants, private medical insurance, annual return airfares to country of residence, End of Service Gratuity in line with UAE Labour Law, and complimentary access to GEMS Rewards for savings across flights, hotels, dining, retail, and leisure in the UAE.

About the Company

GEMS Education is a leading education provider in the UAE with a wide network of schools across Dubai and the region. Through its Founders schools, GEMS Education delivers accessible British curriculum education supported by strong safeguarding standards, professional development, inclusive school communities, and a clear focus on student achievement. The organisation provides teachers and leaders with structured career pathways while helping students grow academically, socially, and personally in a future‑focused learning environment.