Deputy Head of Primary – August 2026

GEMS METROPOLE SCHOOL - AL WAHA; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international school in Dubai is seeking a Deputy Head of Primary to join their team in August 2026. The successful candidate will be instrumental in maintaining high standards in safeguarding, student well-being, and staff development. With over 5 years of experience in British curriculum schools, candidates should embody core values of curiosity, confidence, and creativity. This role provides a unique opportunity for leadership within a thriving school community.

Benefits

Career development programs

Vibrant lifestyle in Dubai

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in teaching at a Primary School in a British curriculum school.
• Experience in a leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Promote high levels of safeguarding and student well-being.
• Assist and support the Head of School.
• Lead and develop staff through coaching and mentoring.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of the school and staff.

Skills

Leadership

Child Protection

Communication Skills

Coaching

Innovation

Education

Certified teaching qualification (B.Ed, PGCE, PGDE or equivalent)

Job description

Due to the continued success of our GEMS Metropole Al-Waha, Dubai we are looking to recruit a Deputy Head of Primary for August 2026. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced leader to take the next step in their career with a global leading company and within a world-class International School located in the heart of Dubai.

Join us at Gems Metropole Al-Waha, where sustainability is at the heart of education. Our state-of-the-art campus in Dubai showcases eco-friendly initiatives, providing aspiring teachers with the ideal platform to learn and teach sustainable values.

Our team is growing as a result of the successful opening in September 2023, popularity and rapid expansion due to enrollments for August 2026.

Teaching at GEMS is not just a job, it’s a career. Our teachers enjoy free access to leading CPD programs and have the opportunity to grow with the company on a global scale. With most of our leaders coming from within the GEMS network of schools, GEMS teachers are in a unique position to consider career opportunities across the world as we expand into more and more countries.

As well as being a great place to work; Dubai is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, rapidly expanding city where the sun shines all year round. Teachers in Dubai enjoy an exciting lifestyle, with opportunities for new and exciting leisure activities and travel across the region and further afield!

We will be British Schools Overseas (BSO) accredited by the end of this academic year, allowing us to offer the NQT, ECF, QTS and iPGCE programmes to our teachers through the TES Institute. GEMS Metropole Al-Waha is truly unique and anyone who comes to work here has a wonderful opportunity to leave their mark. In line with our school vision, you will have the opportunity to lead, nurture and succeed in a sustainable and inclusive community.

Teaching at GEMS is not just a job, it’s a career. Our teachers enjoy free access to leading CPD programmes and have the opportunity to grow with the company on a global scale. As part of our commitment to developing our teachers, graduate teachers will benefit from our accreditation with British Schools Overseas and enrolment to our ECF programme; while our more experienced teachers are in a unique position to consider career opportunities. GEMS teachers are at the forefront of opportunities for growth and development; with most of our leaders coming from within the GEMS network of schools. We are looking for an outstanding, innovative leader to join the GEMS Metropole Family. The successful candidate will play a key role in the Senior Leadership Team

Key Responsibilities

• Promote and ensure high levels of safeguarding, child protection, student development and well being
• Assist, support, represent and deputise for the Head of School
• Embrace and encourage the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the GEMS Core Values
• Play a major role in formulating and reviewing the School Improvement Plan, Strategic Direction and Self Evaluation
• Maintain and develop the ethos, values and overall mission and vision of the school
• Promote a positive image of the school
• Lead and develop staff through effective coaching, mentoring and performance management
• Ensure that the school plays a constructive role in the life of the community
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of the school, students and staff
• Implement policies for all stakeholders
• Take a lead in the efficient organisation, management and supervision of school routines
• Be accountable to the Head of School and ultimately the Principal/CEO
• Fully understand the requirements and expectations within the National Curriculum for England, Ministry of Education, Dubai Schools Inspection Framework and British School Overseas Framework

Successful Candidates Will Need To:

• Embody and role model our core values of curiosity, confidence, creativity, respect and kindness
• 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
• Possess the personal leadership qualities to develop trusting relationships, a coaching approach to development and be able to inspire others
• 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