Director of Inclusion - Whole School Provision

Gems Education UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 335,000 - 502,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tax-free salary

Fully furnished accommodation

Private medical insurance

Annual airfare

End-of-service gratuity

Job summary

GEMS Wellington Academy, Al Khail in Dubai is appointing a Director of Inclusion to lead whole-school provision for ages 3-18, ensuring aligned strategy and KHDA-compliant practices.

The role works with senior leaders, families, and external specialists to build capability, advance inclusive education, and drive measurable outcomes, with a competitive package and international leadership opportunity.

Qualifications

• Applicants must hold a recognized teaching qualification such as PGCE, PGDE or equivalent.
• Postgraduate qualification in special educational needs, inclusion or a related discipline is required, with a master’s degree preferred.
• Candidates should have substantial experience leading inclusion in a high-performing international school and an excellent understanding of the British curriculum across ages 3-18.
• Direct knowledge of the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework, KHDA expectations and provision for Students of Determination is essential.
• Experience managing SEN, EAL and specialist support teams is also required.
• The successful leader will be an effective coach, analytical decision-maker and trusted communicator.

Responsibilities

• Define and communicate the academy's whole-school inclusion strategy.
• Align inclusive provision with the school 's educational vision and improvement priorities.
• Lead services for Students of Determination across the 3-18 age range.
• Ensure compliance with the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework.
• Maintain readiness for KHDA, DSIB and other applicable inspection requirements.
• Advise the Senior Leadership Team on inclusion priorities, risks and resource needs.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams covering special educational needs, English-language learning and specialist support.
• Establish clear roles, referral pathways and accountability across the inclusion function.
• Oversee identification and assessment processes for students requiring additional support.
• Ensure decisions are based on appropriate evidence and a complete understanding of each learner.
• Guide the development, review and monitoring of Individual Education Plans.
• Establish measurable targets connected to student needs and classroom participation.
• Evaluate intervention programs for impact, consistency and value.
• Use attainment, progress, attendance and wellbeing data to assess provision.
• Identify gaps in outcomes and coordinate timely corrective action.
• Coach teachers in adaptive instruction and inclusive classroom practice.
• Lead professional development for teachers, learning-support staff and school leaders.
• Translate cognitive science and international research into practical support strategies.
• Ensure reasonable accommodations are understood and applied consistently.
• Strengthen provision for English-language learners and students with overlapping needs.
• Build constructive partnerships with parents and include them in planning and review.
• Coordinate with therapists, psychologists, medical professionals and external agencies.
• Maintain accurate and confidential student documentation.
• Develop quality-assurance processes for support plans, interventions and classroom implementation.
• Contribute inclusion priorities to curriculum, staffing and school-development planning.
• Manage team performance, professional growth and deployment.
• Promote a culture of ambition, responsibility and courage for every learner.
• Support transitions between phases and preparation for pathways beyond school.
• Report progress, impact and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and governors.
• Uphold safeguarding requirements and respond appropriately to concerns.

Skills

Whole-school inclusion strategy

SEN leadership

EAL provision

KHDA compliance

Dubai policy framework

Team leadership

Data-driven decision making

Cognitive science in education

Parental partnership

Inspection readiness

Education

PGCE/PGDE or equivalent

Bachelor’s in education or relevant field

Master’s in SEN/inclusion (preferred)

Job description

Director of Inclusion - Whole School Provision Job Snapshot Role: Director of Inclusion - Whole School Provision Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Industry: Education Management Function: Education / Teaching / Training Experience: Significant inclusion leadership experience Job Type: Full-time Position Overview The Director of Inclusion - Whole School Provision role in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a senior Education Management opportunity beginning in January 2027 at GEMS Wellington Academy, Al Khail. GEMS Education is hiring an experienced leader to shape inclusive practice for students aged 3-18, strengthen support for Students of Determination and maintain compliance with Dubai 's education requirements.

Job Details Country: United Arab Emirates City: Dubai Industry: Education Management Function: Education / Teaching / Training Salary: 30000-45000 Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer. Gender: Any Candidate Nationality: Any Job Type: Full-time

The Director will establish a coherent inclusion strategy across the academy 's early years, primary and secondary phases. Working with senior leaders, teachers, families and external specialists, the role will ensure that academic, social and emotional barriers are identified early and addressed through evidence-informed provision. The Director will also build teacher capability so inclusive practice becomes part of everyday classroom planning rather than a separate intervention.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and communicate the academy 's whole-school inclusion strategy.
• Align inclusive provision with the school 's educational vision and improvement priorities.
• Lead services for Students of Determination across the 3-18 age range.
• Ensure compliance with the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework.
• Maintain readiness for KHDA, DSIB and other applicable inspection requirements.
• Advise the Senior Leadership Team on inclusion priorities, risks and resource needs.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams covering special educational needs, English-language learning and specialist support.
• Establish clear roles, referral pathways and accountability across the inclusion function.
• Oversee identification and assessment processes for students requiring additional support.
• Ensure decisions are based on appropriate evidence and a complete understanding of each learner.
• Guide the development, review and monitoring of Individual Education Plans.
• Establish measurable targets connected to student needs and classroom participation.
• Evaluate intervention programs for impact, consistency and value.
• Use attainment, progress, attendance and wellbeing data to assess provision.
• Identify gaps in outcomes and coordinate timely corrective action.
• Coach teachers in adaptive instruction and inclusive classroom practice.
• Lead professional development for teachers, learning-support staff and school leaders.
• Translate cognitive science and international research into practical support strategies.
• Ensure reasonable accommodations are understood and applied consistently.
• Strengthen provision for English-language learners and students with overlapping needs.
• Build constructive partnerships with parents and include them in planning and review.
• Coordinate with therapists, psychologists, medical professionals and external agencies.
• Maintain accurate and confidential student documentation.
• Develop quality-assurance processes for support plans, interventions and classroom implementation.
• Contribute inclusion priorities to curriculum, staffing and school-development planning.
• Manage team performance, professional growth and deployment.
• Promote a culture of ambition, responsibility and courage for every learner.
• Support transitions between phases and preparation for pathways beyond school.
• Report progress, impact and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and governors.
• Uphold safeguarding requirements and respond appropriately to concerns.

Ideal Profile

• Applicants must hold a recognized teaching qualification such as PGCE, PGDE or equivalent together with a bachelor 's degree in education or a relevant field.
• A postgraduate qualification in special educational needs, inclusion or a related discipline is required, with a master 's degree preferred.
• Candidates should have substantial experience leading inclusion in a high-performing international school and an excellent understanding of the British curriculum across ages 3-18.
• Direct knowledge of the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework, KHDA expectations and provision for Students of Determination is essential.
• Experience managing SEN, EAL and specialist support teams is also required.
• The successful leader will be an effective coach, analytical decision-maker and trusted communicator.
• Appointment is subject to an enhanced UK DBS check or an equivalent police-clearance process.

Skills Set

• Whole-school inclusion strategy
• Students of Determination provision
• Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework
• KHDA compliance
• British curriculum
• SEN leadership
• EAL provision
• Individual Education Plans
• Intervention design and evaluation
• Inclusive classroom practice
• Adaptive teaching
• Cognitive science in education
• Evidence-informed support
• Student progress analysis
• Provision mapping
• Reasonable accommodations
• Multidisciplinary team leadership
• Teacher coaching
• Professional development delivery
• Parent partnership
• External-agency coordination
• Inspection readiness
• Safeguarding
• Strategic resource planning
• Quality assurance

Why Join Us

The package includes a competitive tax-free salary, fully furnished individual accommodation, free schooling, private medical insurance, annual airfare to the employee 's country of residence and end-of-service gratuity. Leaders also receive access to GEMS Rewards and structured professional learning through instructional coaching, cognitive science and evidence-based education partners. The position offers meaningful influence over inclusive education within a high-performing through-school.

About the Company

GEMS Education operates schools across Dubai and international markets. GEMS Wellington Academy, Al Khail is a fully inclusive British curriculum school recognized by DSIB, British Schools Overseas and High Performance Learning. The academy serves students from early years through sixth form and uses evidence-informed practice to support academic achievement, wellbeing and future readiness.