Deputy Head - Prep Teaching and Learning

Gems Education UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation and schooling benefits

Private medical insurance

Annual airfare to home country

End-of-service gratuity

Job summary

GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail in Dubai is seeking a Deputy Head – Prep Teaching and Learning to lead curriculum development and teaching quality across the Prep phase, aligning with the National Curriculum for England and DSIB/ KHDA expectations.

The role focuses on instructional coaching, data‑informed improvement, professional learning, and strong collaboration with the Head of Prep School and SLT to raise pupil outcomes with inclusive, evidence‑informed practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or a relevant academic discipline.
• Recognised teaching qualification such as PGCE, PGDE or an equivalent credential.
• Master’s degree, National Professional Qualification or comparable educational leadership qualification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate a clear Prep School strategy for outstanding teaching, learning and curriculum delivery.
• Lead quality assurance through lesson visits, learning reviews and pupil progress reviews.
• Lead curriculum development and ensure alignment with the National Curriculum for England across the Prep phase.
• Coach and mentor teachers and middle leaders to raise pupil outcomes and drive professional learning.
• Monitor pupil attainment and use data to identify trends, gaps and targeted improvement plans.

Job description

Role Overview

Deputy Head – Prep Teaching and Learning at GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail (Dubai) is a senior education leadership role focused on curriculum leadership, teaching quality, professional development, pupil progress, and evidence‑informed school improvement. The successful candidate will work closely with the Head of Prep School and Senior Leadership Team to establish consistently excellent classroom practice across the Prep phase, drawing on deep knowledge of the National Curriculum for England, cognitive science, instructional coaching, quality assurance and the use of assessment data to improve pupil outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate a clear Prep School strategy for outstanding teaching, learning and curriculum delivery.
• Work with the Head of Prep School and Senior Leadership Team to establish priorities, implementation plans and measurable improvement targets.
• Lead the ongoing development of the National Curriculum for England across the Prep phase.
• Ensure curriculum plans provide suitable breadth, depth, progression, challenge and continuity.
• Review schemes of work, subject plans, assessment approaches and classroom resources.
• Promote evidence‑informed practice based on cognitive science and current educational research.
• Translate research findings into practical classroom routines and teaching strategies.
• Lead quality assurance through lesson visits, learning reviews, work scrutiny, pupil discussions and curriculum evaluations.
• Evaluate the consistency and impact of teaching across year groups and subjects.
• Provide clear feedback and establish improvement actions where practice does not meet expected standards.
• Monitor pupil attainment, progress, participation and learning behaviours.
• Use assessment and performance data to identify trends, gaps and groups requiring additional support or challenge.
• Work with teachers and leaders to develop targeted plans that improve pupil outcomes.
• Ensure assessment systems provide reliable information for teaching, intervention and leadership decisions.
• Lead curriculum innovation while maintaining academic rigour and alignment with school priorities.
• Evaluate proposed initiatives according to evidence, expected impact, implementation requirements and sustainability.
• Coach and mentor teachers, subject leaders and middle leaders.
• Develop instructional coaching programmes that strengthen classroom practice and professional reflection.
• Plan and deliver professional learning linked to identified school and teacher development priorities.
• Support leaders in setting clear expectations, reviewing performance and building effective teams.
• Identify and share exemplary teaching practice across the Prep School.
• Strengthen collaboration between year groups, departments and phases.
• Lead or contribute to appraisal, performance management and leadership development processes.
• Support succession planning and the development of future school leaders.
• Maintain oversight of academic intervention, enrichment and support programmes.
• Work closely with Inclusion, pastoral and curriculum teams to ensure all pupils can access high‑quality learning.
• Promote adaptive teaching and appropriate classroom support for pupils with different needs.
• Prepare evidence, reports and improvement documentation for KHDA, BSO and internal reviews.
• Ensure teaching and curriculum practice reflects DSIB expectations, British Schools Overseas standards and UAE educational requirements.
• Contribute to school self‑evaluation, development planning and governance reporting.
• Present teaching, curriculum and pupil performance insights to senior leaders and relevant stakeholders.
• Build positive relationships with pupils, parents, employees and the wider school community.
• Communicate curriculum priorities and educational developments clearly to families.
• Support safeguarding, pupil wellbeing, behaviour and professional standards across the Prep School.
• Undertake delegated leadership responsibilities and provide operational support when required.
• Model a growth mindset, professional integrity, strategic thinking and commitment to continuous improvement.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or a relevant academic discipline.
• Recognised teaching qualification such as PGCE, PGDE or an equivalent credential.
• Master’s degree, National Professional Qualification or comparable educational leadership qualification preferred.
• Notable commitment to continued professional and leadership development.
• Significant leadership experience within a high‑performing British curriculum school.
• Strong understanding of the National Curriculum for England across the Prep phase.
• Proven record of improving teaching quality and raising pupil outcomes.
• Experience leading curriculum development, quality assurance and school improvement programmes.
• Strong knowledge of effective teaching, cognitive science and evidence‑informed educational practice.
• Experience coaching, mentoring and developing teachers and middle leaders.
• Ability to design and deliver impactful professional learning.
• Expertise in using assessment and performance data to evaluate provision and guide improvement.
• Familiarity with KHDA inspection requirements, DSIB expectations and British Schools Overseas standards.
• Experience preparing educational evidence and reports for inspections or external reviews.
• Strong strategic planning, implementation and project management capability.
• Ability to manage competing priorities across several academic and operational workstreams.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Confidence influencing senior leaders, teachers, parents and other school stakeholders.
• Collaborative, reflective and solutions‑focused leadership style.
• High standards of professional judgement, accountability and integrity.
• Commitment to inclusion, safeguarding, pupil wellbeing and academic excellence.
• Ability to provide an enhanced UK DBS certificate or equivalent police clearance before appointment.

Skills Set

• Prep School leadership
• Teaching and learning strategy
• National Curriculum for England
• Curriculum development
• Curriculum evaluation
• Quality assurance
• Cognitive science
• Evidence‑informed practice
• Instructional coaching
• Teacher development
• Middle leader development
• Professional learning
• Lesson observation
• Work scrutiny
• Pupil progress monitoring
• Assessment analysis
• Data‑informed improvement
• School self‑evaluation
• School improvement planning
• KHDA requirements
• DSIB inspection
• British Schools Overseas
• Adaptive teaching
• Curriculum innovation
• Performance management
• Leadership development
• Stakeholder communication
• Safeguarding
• Pupil wellbeing
• Strategic planning

Benefits

The remuneration package includes a competitive tax‑free salary, individual fully furnished accommodation, free schooling, private medical insurance, annual airfare to the employee’s country of residence and end‑of‑service gratuity. Employees also receive complimentary access to GEMS Rewards, offering discounts across flights, hotels, restaurants, retail outlets and other services in the UAE.