Director of Expressive Arts - August 2027

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 420,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is seeking an exceptional Director of Expressive Arts to join our founding team and help build a vibrant, inclusive community where creativity and high academic standards are central to daily life.

You will lead Music, Drama, Dance, Visual Arts and related disciplines, set ambitious objectives, drive curriculum development, and mentor staff to inspire students and elevate Harrow’s standing in the region.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the Expressive Arts faculty to maintain high teaching standards and implement best practices in learning.
• Set clear departmental goals and performance targets that align with Harrow’s reputation for excellence in academics and co-curricular arts.
• Foster an inclusive culture of creativity and performance reflecting Harrow’s values (Courage, Honour, Humility, Fellowship).
• Develop and deliver a broad, cross-disciplinary Expressive Arts curriculum with opportunities beyond the classroom.

Job description

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, a month.

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is seeking an exceptional Director of Expressive Arts 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 Expressive Arts will provide inspirational leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for the School’s Expressive Arts faculty, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning, and curriculum development. The post holder will foster a dynamic and inclusive culture of creativity and performance that reflects Harrow’s values of Courage, Honour, Humility, and Fellowship. By setting ambitious aspirations for students and staff alike, the Director will build a thriving community that nurtures talent, celebrates achievement, and sustains outstanding academic and artistic standards across the faculty. The Director of Expressive Arts will be responsible for the following: Music, Drama, Dance, Visual Arts, and related disciplines.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead and manage the expressive arts faculty in maintaining the highest academic standards and developing best practice in teaching and learning.
• Establish and communicate clear departmental goals and performance targets that uphold and enhance Harrow’s reputation for excellence in both academic and co-curricular expressive arts.
• Demonstrate exemplary professional conduct by setting and maintaining high personal standards in subject teaching, professional development, and administrative responsibilities, thereby serving as a role model for colleagues and pupils alike.
• Ensure the Expressive Arts are fully embedded in the school’s culture and celebrated in the wider community both on a national and international level.

Curriculum Development

• Lead the development and delivery of the department’s super-curricular provision, ensuring it offers breadth, academic rigour, and inclusive opportunities that extend and enrich pupils’ learning beyond the classroom.
• Promote cross-disciplinary projects and the integration of new technologies and creative practices.
• Seek to enhance curriculum continuity by integrating learning experiences beyond the classroom, such as educational visits, field trips, and engagement with guest speakers, thereby enriching pupils’ understanding and broadening their perspectives.
• Design and deliver well-structured lessons that are responsive to the full range of pupil abilities, ensuring appropriate support and challenge so that every pupil is enabled to make excellent progress.
• Stay up to date with pedagogical and curricular developments and offer recommendations and professional development to the department as appropriate.

Teaching and Learning