Deputy Head of Junior School

Taaleem; Dubai; On-site; AED 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

Harrow Dubai invites a seasoned education leader to join as Deputy Head of Junior School, guiding EYFS to Year 8 and driving high standards in education, care and professional practice as the school grows.

Reporting to the Head of Junior School, you will line-manage four Assistant Heads, oversee safeguarding, school self-evaluation and improvement planning, and act as Designated Safeguarding Lead within the standing safeguarding framework.

Responsibilities

• Lead with Head of Junior School to set direction and translate priorities into plans.
• Line-manage four Assistant Headteachers and monitor impact against standards.
• Coordinate leadership team activities to align academic, pastoral and co-curricular provision.
• Exercise delegated authority in the Head of Junior School's absence and escalate significant matters to the Head Master.
• Provide reports on standards, safeguarding and improvement priorities to senior leaders and governors as required.

Job description

Safeguarding Statement

Taaleem is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We hold ourselves to a high standard of effective practices in relation to child protection and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment.

All successful applicants must be willing to undergo enhanced child protection screening appropriate to the post, including various background checks including, receipt of high-quality references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification and police checks, including overseas checks. No member of staff will be able to start until these checks are complete and this process takes, on average, amonth.

Job Purpose

The Deputy Head of Junior School will be the principal deputy to the Head of Junior School, providing strategic and operational leadership across EYFS to Year 8. The post-holder will ensure that priorities are translated into coordinated action and that high standards of education, care and professional practice are sustained as Harrow Dubai grows.

Reporting to the Head of Junior School, the Deputy will line-manage the four Assistant Headteachers responsible for Curriculum and Assessment, Pastoral, Early Years and Key Stage 1, and Co-curricular and Harrow Identity. They will hold these leaders accountable for the quality and impact of their provision, support their development, and ensure coherence across their portfolios. Timetabling will remain the responsibility of the Assistant Headteacher for Curriculum and Assessment.

The Deputy will serve as Designated Safeguarding Lead for the Junior School within the agreed whole-school safeguarding structure. They will coordinate day-to-day educational operations, school self-evaluation and improvement planning, and contribute to recruitment, induction and preparation for additional year groups. In the Head of Junior School’s absence, they will assume delegated responsibility for leadership, decisions and communication, working closely with the Head Master.

A visible and approachable presence, the Deputy will model Courage, Honour, Humility and Fellowship, build the confidence of staff and parents, and uphold the distinctive expectations and traditions of a Harrow education.

Key Relationships:

Head of Junior School, Head Master, four Assistant Headteachers, phase and subject leaders, Beaks, Learning Assistants, safeguarding and inclusion staff, Operations, HR, Finance, Admissions, pupils and parents.

Direct Reports:

The four Assistant Headteachers and any additional staff designated by the Head of Junior School.

Key Accountabilities

Leadership and Accountability

• Work with the Head of Junior School to set direction, translate strategic priorities into clear plans and ensure implementation across the Junior School.
• Line-manage all four Assistant Headteachers, setting objectives, reviewing evidence of impact, providing support and challenge, and holding them accountable for agreed standards and outcomes.
• Coordinate the work of the leadership team, clarifying responsibilities, resolving competing priorities and ensuring that academic, pastoral, phase and co-curricular provision work together effectively.
• Exercise delegated authority in the Head of Junior School’s absence, make timely decisions within agreed limits, and elevate significant matters to the Head Master.
• Provide clear reports on standards, safeguarding, operational effectiveness and improvement priorities to the Head of Junior School and Head Master, and to governors when required.

School Improvement Quality Assurance and Growth

• Coordinate the Junior School Self-Evaluation Form and monitor delivery of the School Improvement Plan, ensuring Download Job Description