Director of English - Secondary Leadership

Gems Education UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 223,000 - 357,000; Full time

Job summary

GEMS Wellington International School in Dubai seeks a Director of English to lead the department from Key Stage 3 through Post-16, setting a clear vision that drives outstanding outcomes. You will mentor staff, refine teaching practices, and align curriculum with assessment standards to raise student achievement.

You will champion inclusive teaching, use data to inform interventions, and collaborate with senior leaders to support school-wide improvement and enrichment initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading English in a secondary school environment.
• Strong track record of teaching and leadership across Key Stage 3 to Post‑16.
• Excellent English subject knowledge across literature, language, curriculum design, assessment, and examination preparation.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a high‑performing English team.
• Proven record of improving student outcomes through effective teaching, assessment, and intervention.
• Reflective and solution‑focused leadership style with strong commitment to professional learning.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for working with colleagues, students, parents, and senior leadership.
• Passion for inclusive education, authentic learning, and social responsibility.
• Commitment to safeguarding, student wellbeing, academic excellence, and high professional standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead English teaching and learning across Key Stage 3, GCSE, A Level, and Post‑16 pathways.
• Set a clear departmental vision that supports outstanding English outcomes, student confidence, and academic ambition.
• Inspire, mentor, and develop English teachers through coaching, collaboration, lesson review, and shared best practice.
• Drive sustained improvement in curriculum planning, assessment quality, classroom delivery, and student progress.
• Use achievement data, assessment evidence, and intervention planning to raise standards across the department.
• Ensure English lessons promote critical thinking, literary analysis, language mastery, essay writing, and confident communication.
• Support inclusive teaching strategies so that all students can access high‑quality English learning and achieve strong progress.
• Work closely with senior leaders to align department priorities with whole‑school improvement plans.
• Promote evidence‑informed teaching practice linked to current educational research and global best practice.
• Build strong relationships with students, parents, teachers, and school leaders to support achievement and wellbeing.
• Contribute to enrichment opportunities, reading culture, student voice, competitions, events, and wider school life.
• Role model the school values of integrity, empathy, and fortitude in leadership, communication, and professional conduct.

Skills

Secondary English leadership

Key Stage 3 to Post-16 curriculum

GCSE and A Level English

Department improvement planning

Teacher coaching and mentoring

Curriculum design

Assessment and moderation

Student progress tracking

Literary analysis instruction

Essay writing development

Evidence-informed teaching

Data-led intervention

Parent communication

Safeguarding awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English with PGCE/PGDE/QTS or equivalent

Tools

Job description

Director of English - Secondary Leadership

Director of English in Dubai, UAE within the Education Management sector is a senior academic leadership opportunity for an ambitious and highly skilled English specialist to join GEMS Wellington International School. This role is ideal for an experienced secondary leader who can drive excellence across Key Stage 3 to Post‑16, strengthen teaching and learning, improve student outcomes, and inspire a high‑performing English department within an outstanding international school.

Job Details

Country: UAE
City: Dubai
Industry: Education Management
Function: Classroom Teaching
Salary: 20000‑32000 (estimated range – confirm final offer with the employer)
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full‑time

Key Responsibilities

• Lead English teaching and learning across Key Stage 3, GCSE, A Level, and Post‑16 pathways.
• Set a clear departmental vision that supports outstanding English outcomes, student confidence, and academic ambition.
• Inspire, mentor, and develop English teachers through coaching, collaboration, lesson review, and shared best practice.
• Drive sustained improvement in curriculum planning, assessment quality, classroom delivery, and student progress.
• Use achievement data, assessment evidence, and intervention planning to raise standards across the department.
• Ensure English lessons promote critical thinking, literary analysis, language mastery, essay writing, and confident communication.
• Support inclusive teaching strategies so that all students can access high‑quality English learning and achieve strong progress.
• Work closely with senior leaders to align department priorities with whole‑school improvement plans.
• Promote evidence‑informed teaching practice linked to current educational research and global best practice.
• Build strong relationships with students, parents, teachers, and school leaders to support achievement and wellbeing.
• Contribute to enrichment opportunities, reading culture, student voice, competitions, events, and wider school life.
• Role model the school values of integrity, empathy, and fortitude in leadership, communication, and professional conduct.
• Maintain safeguarding expectations and follow GEMS policies, procedures, and professional standards at all times.

Ideal Profile

• BEd or Bachelor’s degree in English with PGCE, PGDE, QTS, or equivalent teaching qualification.
• Proven experience leading English in a secondary school environment.
• Strong track record of teaching and leadership across Key Stage 3 to Post‑16.
• Excellent English subject knowledge across literature, language, curriculum design, assessment, and examination preparation.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a high‑performing English team.
• Proven record of improving student outcomes through effective teaching, assessment, and intervention.
• Reflective and solution‑focused leadership style with strong commitment to professional learning.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for working with colleagues, students, parents, and senior leadership.
• Passion for inclusive education, authentic learning, and social responsibility.
• Commitment to safeguarding, student wellbeing, academic excellence, and high professional standards.

Skills Set

• Secondary English leadership
• Key Stage 3 to Post‑16 curriculum
• GCSE and A Level English
• Department improvement planning
• Teacher coaching and mentoring
• Curriculum design
• Assessment and moderation
• Student progress tracking
• Literary analysis instruction
• Essay writing development
• Evidence‑informed teaching
• Data‑led intervention
• Parent communication
• Safeguarding awareness

Why Join Us

• Join an outstanding Dubai school with a long‑standing record of academic success and international recognition.
• Lead English in a high‑performing, fully inclusive school community that values integrity, empathy, and fortitude.
• Access personalised professional development connected to global educational research and leading education networks.
• Collaborate with respected organisations and innovation‑focused partnerships that support world‑class teaching practice.
• Build a long‑term leadership career within the GEMS network, where many senior leaders progress from within.
• Contribute to a pioneering learning environment focused on social responsibility, authentic learning, and student success.

About the Company

GEMS Education is a leading education group in Dubai with a strong network of schools across the UAE and internationally. Through schools such as GEMS Wellington International School, GEMS supports academic excellence, safeguarding, inclusive learning, leadership development, and career progression for educators working in dynamic international school communities.