English Lead Al Maharat

International Community Schools (ICSchools); Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 320,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

International Community Schools (ICSchools) in Abu Dhabi seeks a Head of English to lead the English department across EYFS to KS5 within an all-through setting. You will drive teaching excellence, nurture pupil love for English, and maintain high academic standards.

The role requires strategic leadership, curriculum development, data-informed teaching, and collaboration with senior leadership to advance school goals.

Qualifications

• Experience leading English departments across multiple key stages.
• Experience in curriculum design, assessment, and staff development.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Management: Provide dynamic leadership of the English department across primary and secondary phases; develop and implement a clear vision and improvement plan; line manage staff; lead departmental meetings; monitor and improve teaching quality across all key stages.
• Curriculum and Teaching: Design and oversee an engaging English curriculum from EYFS to KS5; model best practice; support lesson planning and observations; use data to inform teaching and interventions; stay updated with national developments in English.
• Standards and Achievement: Be accountable for pupil outcomes in English across all year groups; track progress and attainment; support SEND/EAL; celebrate successes and promote enthusiasm.
• Cross-School Collaboration: Work with other leaders to support school priorities; foster cross-phase collaboration; organise enrichment opportunities.
• Safeguarding and Professional Conduct: Uphold safeguarding policies and maintain high professional standards.

Education

Bachelor's degree, PGDE / PGCE, Masters degree

Job description

Job Description:

• Vacancy Ref: V-MAH-2026-003
• Department: Academic
• Grade / Level: Cycle 2, Cycle 3
• Education: Bachelors Degree, PGDE / PGCE, Masters Degree
• Experience: 4

Job Purpose:

To lead the strategic development and day-to-day management of the English department across all key stages (EYFS to KS5) in an all-through school setting. The Head of English will ensure high standards of teaching and learning, foster a love of English in pupils, and promote academic excellence throughout the school.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management:

• Provide dynamic and effective leadership of the English department across primary and secondary phases.
• Develop and implement a clear vision and improvement plan for English in line with the whole-school development plan.
• Line manage and support departmental staff, including teaching staff and teaching assistants, through performance management, CPD, and mentoring.
• Lead regular departmental meetings and contribute to whole-school leadership meetings where appropriate.
• Monitor, evaluate and improve the quality of teaching and learning across all key stages.

Curriculum and Teaching:

• Design, develop, and oversee the delivery of a progressive and engaging English curriculum from EYFS to KS5, ensuring clear progression and coverage.
• Ensure high-quality teaching through modelling best practice, supporting lesson planning, and conducting regular lesson observations and learning walks.
• Promote the effective use of assessment data to inform teaching, identify underachievement, and implement targeted interventions.
• Keep up to date with national developments in English teaching and assessment.

Standards and Achievement:

• Be accountable for pupil outcomes in English across all year groups.
• Use data to track progress and attainment, identifying trends and developing strategies to raise achievement.
• Ensure that pupils of all abilities, including SEND and EAL, are appropriately supported and challenged.
• Celebrate pupils’ successes and promote enthusiasm and confidence in English learning.

Cross-School Collaboration:

• Work closely with other subject leaders, phase leaders, and SLT to support whole-school priorities.
• Foster cross-phase collaboration between primary and secondary English staff to ensure consistency and continuity.
• Organise enrichment opportunities such as maths competitions, clubs, and STEM events.

Safeguarding and Professional Conduct:

• Uphold and promote the school’s safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Maintain high professional standards of conduct and be a positive role model for pupils and staff.

Requirements: