Dean of Students
Ignite School
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Job summary
Ignite School in Dubai is seeking a Dean of Students to lead student behaviour, wellbeing, and pastoral care across a KG1–12 environment. The role requires coordinating with families, staff, and leadership to promote a safe, inclusive learning community and to implement restorative practices and well-being initiatives.
The Dean of Students will monitor attendance, intervene in behavioural concerns, and supervise student leadership activities.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, Leadership, or a related field.
- Postgraduate qualification in leadership or a related field is desirable.
- Experience in school-based pastoral, student affairs, behaviour, safeguarding, or leadership roles preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee the school's student behaviour and discipline processes.
- Ensure behaviour expectations and consequences are applied consistently and fairly.
- Investigate and manage significant student behaviour incidents and disciplinary cases.
- Maintain accurate records of disciplinary incidents, interventions, and outcomes.
- Work with teachers and school leaders to develop appropriate behaviour interventions and support plans.
- Monitor recurring behaviour concerns and identify patterns requiring intervention.
- Support restorative practices and accountability for positive behaviour.
- Escalate serious concerns to the Senior Leadership Team.
Skills
Education
Job description
Ignite School is a KG1–Grade 12 American curriculum school in Dubai serving Emirati and expatriate learners. The school’s vision is that all young people experience learning as relevant beyond their time in school and are prepared to be innovative, responsible, and confident global citizens. Ignite School follows a rigorous, student-centered curriculum aligned with New York State P–12 Common Core learning standards, while maintaining strong relevance to UAE life and culture. The well-being of every learner is a core priority, with a focus on ensuring that students feel happy, safe, accepted, and valued alongside achieving above curriculum and international standards.
The Dean of Students is a full-time, on-site role based at Ignite School in Dubai. This role oversees student conduct, behavior management, and the implementation of school policies that promote a positive, inclusive learning environment. The Dean of Students works closely with learners, families, and staff to provide counseling support, guide student leadership initiatives, and coordinate activities that foster school culture and community engagement. Daily responsibilities include monitoring student attendance and behavior, responding to concerns, leading restorative practices, supporting residence life or pastoral care functions as applicable, and collaborating with educational leaders to align student life with academic goals. The role requires active participation in school events, ongoing communication with stakeholders, and consistent modeling of the school’s values and expectations.
School Campus
Full-Time
The Dean of Students is responsible for promoting a safe, positive, inclusive, and supportive school environment in which students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.
Ignite School is a KG1–Grade 12 American curriculum school in Dubai serving Emirati and expatriate learners. The school’s vision is that all young people experience learning as relevant beyond their time in school and are prepared to be innovative, responsible, and confident global citizens. Ignite School follows a rigorous, student-centered curriculum aligned with New York State P–12 Common Core learning standards, while maintaining strong relevance to UAE life and culture. The well-being of every learner is a core priority, with a focus on ensuring that students feel happy, safe, accepted, and valued alongside achieving above curriculum and international standards.
The Dean of Students is a full-time, on-site role based at Ignite School in Dubai. This role oversees student conduct, behavior management, and the implementation of school policies that promote a positive, inclusive learning environment. The Dean of Students works closely with learners, families, and staff to provide counseling support, guide student leadership initiatives, and coordinate activities that foster school culture and community engagement. Daily responsibilities include monitoring student attendance and behavior, responding to concerns, leading restorative practices, supporting residence life or pastoral care functions as applicable, and collaborating with educational leaders to align student life with academic goals. The role requires active participation in school events, ongoing communication with stakeholders, and consistent modeling of the school’s values and expectations.
Student Affairs / Pastoral Care
School Campus
Full-Time
The Dean of Students is responsible for promoting a safe, positive, inclusive, and supportive school environment in which students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.
- Lead and oversee the school's student behaviour and discipline processes.
- Ensure that behaviour expectations and consequences are applied consistently and fairly.
- Investigate and manage significant student behaviour incidents and disciplinary cases.
- Maintain accurate records of disciplinary incidents, interventions, and outcomes.
- Work with teachers and school leaders to develop appropriate behaviour interventions and support plans.
- Monitor recurring behaviour concerns and identify patterns requiring further intervention.
- Support restorative practices and strategies that promote accountability and positive behaviour.
- Escalate serious or repeated concerns to the appropriate member of the Senior Leadership Team.
- Promote a positive school culture focused on student wellbeing, belonging, respect, and inclusion.
- Work closely with school counsellors and pastoral staff to identify and support students requiring additional assistance.
- Monitor students who may be experiencing academic, social, behavioural, or personal difficulties.
- Coordinate appropriate interventions and follow‑up support.
- Ensure student concerns are appropriately documented, managed, and escalated where required.
- Promote student voice and encourage students to take an active role in the school community.
- Monitor student attendance, punctuality, and patterns of absence.
- Work with relevant staff and parents to address persistent attendance or punctuality concerns.
- Identify students who may be disengaged from school and coordinate appropriate interventions.
- Support initiatives designed to improve attendance, participation, and student engagement.
- Work collaboratively with the school's safeguarding team to promote student safety and welfare.
- Follow all school safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Report and elevate safeguarding concerns in accordance with school requirements.
- Maintain appropriate confidentiality when dealing with sensitive student matters.
- Contribute to safeguarding education, awareness, and prevention initiatives.
- Serve as a key point of contact for parents and guardians regarding significant student behaviour, wellbeing, attendance, and pastoral matters.
- Conduct meetings with parents to discuss concerns, interventions, and student progress.
- Communicate professionally and constructively, particularly when dealing with sensitive or challenging situations.
- Build positive relationships with families and promote partnership between home and school.
- Support and develop student leadership opportunities.
- Encourage student participation in school activities, events, clubs, and community initiatives.
- Support student councils and other student leadership structures.
- Promote student responsibility, leadership, citizenship, and positive contribution to the school community.
- Promote the school's values, expectations, and standards of conduct.
- Contribute to initiatives that strengthen school culture, student belonging, and community spirit.
- Support the organisation and delivery of assemblies, student events, campaigns, and wellbeing initiatives.
- Act as a visible and approachable presence around the school campus.
- Provide guidance to teachers and staff regarding student behaviour, pastoral concerns, and appropriate interventions.
- Work collaboratively with Heads of School, Heads of Department, Year Leaders, Counsellors, SEN/SEND staff, and other relevant teams.
- Support staff in implementing consistent behaviour and pastoral expectations.
- Deliver or coordinate staff training related to student behaviour, wellbeing, safeguarding, and pastoral care where appropriate.
- Maintain accurate student records relating to behaviour, attendance, wellbeing, and interventions.
- Analyse student behaviour and attendance data to identify trends and areas requiring action.
- Prepare reports for school leadership as required.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of student support and behaviour systems.
- Recommend improvements to policies, procedures, and student support programmes.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of school policies relating to students.
- Participate in leadership meetings and relevant school committees.
- Support the Principal and Vice Principal with student-related matters and school-wide initiatives.
- Assist with crisis management and major student incidents when required.
- Undertake other duties reasonably assigned by the Principal or designated member of the Senior Leadership Team.
- Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, Leadership, or a related field.
- Relevant postgraduate qualification or leadership qualification is desirable.
- Previous experience in a school-based pastoral, student affairs, behaviour, safeguarding, or leadership role.
- Experience managing complex student behaviour and wellbeing matters.
- Experience working collaboratively with parents, teachers, school leaders, and external professionals.
- Knowledge of safeguarding principles and child protection practices.
- Experience in an international or multicultural school environment is desirable.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
- Strong understanding of student behaviour, wellbeing, and pastoral care.
- Excellent conflict-resolution and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
- Strong organisational and case-management skills.
- Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
- Strong decision-making and judgement.
- Ability to work effectively with students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
- Proficiency in maintaining accurate records and using student information systems.
- Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, student wellbeing, and educational excellence.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Integrity and professionalism.
- Empathy and emotional maturity.
- Fairness, consistency, and sound judgement.
- A student-centred approach.
- Resilience and composure.
- Strong accountability and ownership.
- Collaborative and approachable leadership.
- Commitment to continuous improvement.
- Ability to build trust with students, parents, and colleagues.
- Effectiveness of student behaviour and discipline systems.
- Student wellbeing and pastoral support.
- Attendance and punctuality improvement.
- Consistency and effectiveness of behaviour interventions.
- Quality and timeliness of student case management and documentation.
- Parent and student engagement.
- Safeguarding compliance.
- Student leadership and engagement initiatives.
- Staff support and collaboration.
- Contribution to a positive and inclusive school culture.
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