Director of Arabic and Islamic - August 2027

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 250,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is seeking an exceptional Director of Arabic and Islamic to join the founding team and help shape a pioneering curriculum aligned with UAE standards and Harrow’s ethos. You will lead the department, inspire teachers, and ensure a culture where every pupil excels.

As part of the founding team, you''ll build a vibrant community, drive strategic curriculum design, monitor outcomes with data, and collaborate with senior leaders to deliver high-quality Arabic and

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development of Arabic and Islamic Studies, aligned with UAE standards and Harrow ethos.
• Collaborate with Heads of Department and Senior Leadership Teams to enhance inspection outcomes and student achievement across the school.
• Foster a culture of innovation, professional growth, collaboration, and high expectations within the department.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of departmental and whole-school action plans, using data to inform strategic decisions.
• Advise the Senior Leadership Team on budgetary priorities and manage departmental budgets, procurement, and end-of-year reporting.
• Keep abreast of ADEK regulations and ensure departmental compliance.
• Participate in Taaleem-wide Arabic/Islamic initiatives, sharing best practices as guided by the Taaleem Director of Arabic.

Job description

T aaleem 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.

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is seeking an exceptional Director of Arabic and Islamic to join the founding team and become part of the legacy.

As part of our founding team, you will play a pivotal role in building a vibrant and inclusive community where the learning of every individual is at the heart of daily life. Guided by the Harrow values, our staff will create an environment in which every pupil is nurtured, challenged, and empowered to achieve their very best.

Within our state-of-the-art facilities, you will help establish a culture of academic and sporting excellence, creativity, and curiosity, ensuring that Harrow International School Abu Dhabi quickly takes its place among the leading international schools of the region.

Joining Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is not only an opportunity to teach — it is an invitation to shape and inspire generations to come.

The Director of Arabic and Islamic Studies will lead the department in delivering an outstanding curriculum that is academically rigorous, culturally relevant, and aligned with UAE national standards and Harrow’s international ethos. The post holder will inspire high-quality teaching, foster a love of learning, and promote a deep appreciation of Emirati culture and Islamic heritage. Working in close partnership with the Senior Leadership Team, the Director will drive excellence, monitor impact, and ensure all students achieve their fullest potential in Arabic and Islamic Education.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Leadership and Department Management

• Provide leadership for the strategic development of Arabic and Islamic Studies, ensuring alignment with UAE national standards and Harrow’s international ethos.
• Collaborate with Heads of Department and Senior Leadership Teams to enhance inspection outcomes and student achievement across the school.
• Foster a culture of innovation, professional growth, collaboration, and high expectations within the department.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of departmental and whole-school action plans, using data to inform strategic decisions.
• Advise the Senior Leadership Team on budgetary priorities and manage departmental budgets, procurement, and end-of-year reporting.
• Keep abreast of ADEK regulations and ensure departmental compliance.
• Actively participate in Taaleem-wide Arabic and Islamic initiatives, contributing to the sharing of best practices, professional networks, and cross-school improvement strategies as guided by the Taaleem Director of Arabic.

Curriculum Development

• Design, implement, and continuously refine a rigorous, culturally relevant curriculum that promotes Emirati culture and Islamic heritage.
• Develop systems to ensure effective use of formative and summative assessment data to guide learning.
• Monitor Arabic and Islamic lesson plans and unit planners to ensure consistent development of students’ independent learning skills, including critical thinking, enquiry, and investigation.
• Ensure clear and progressive pathways for both Arabic A and Arabic B embedding language acquisition principles to support student progress across all phases.
• Collaborate with other Department Chairs on the vertical and horizontal alignment of the curriculum school-wide language policies and curriculum development.
• Promote cross-curricular initiatives to integrate Arabic and Islamic perspectives across the school.

Teaching and Learning

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