Founding Head of Secondary

Teaching Abroad Direct; Al Hamra; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A notable educational institution in Ras Al Khaimah is seeking a Founding Head of Secondary to lead the establishment of a new secondary school starting in August 2026. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership experience in British curriculum schools and will be responsible for ensuring excellence in teaching, learning, and assessment. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the school’s culture and direction, along with an attractive tax-free compensation package.

Benefits

Competitive salary + housing allowance

Flights for employee and dependents

Comprehensive medical insurance

Annual travel allowance

Two free school places for children (18 and under)

Qualifications

• Strong senior leadership experience in a British-curriculum secondary school.
• Proven success in school improvement and inspection readiness.
• Experience with GCSE, A Level, and BTEC programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic establishment and rapid growth of a new secondary school.
• Build and develop high-performing teaching teams.
• Ensure excellence across curriculum, teaching, learning, and assessment.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Excellent communication skills

Ability to build high-performance teams

Financial literacy

Education

Master's degree in Education or related field

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Job description

Founding Head of Secondary – RAK Academy, Al Hamra Campus (Opening August 2026)

Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

Academic Year 2026–2027

RAK Academy – one of the UAE’s oldest and most respected not-for-profit school groups – is excited to announce a rare and prestigious leadership opportunity. We are seeking an exceptional Founding Head of Secondary to launch and lead the brand-new secondary phase of our Al Hamra campus, opening in August 2026.

This is a career-defining role for an innovative, strategic, and inspiring school leader who is passionate about building a school from the ground up.

About RAK Academy – Al Hamra Campus

RAK Academy has served families for nearly 50 years, delivering inclusive, high-quality British education across Ras Al Khaimah.

The Al Hamra Campus, currently a thriving primary school, will become a full British all-through school (Pre-K to Grade 12) from 2026.

The new secondary school will offer :

• GCSEs, A Levels, and BTEC pathways
• A strong culture of inclusion, wellbeing, and academic ambition
• Signature strengths in :
• Sustainability education
• Golf and sailing programmes
• Advanced mathematics and analytical thinking
• Coastal and environmental learning linked to RAK’s unique landscape

The Role : Founding Head of Secondary

• Lead the strategic establishment and rapid growth of a new secondary school
• Build and develop high-performing teaching teams
• Ensure excellence across curriculum, teaching, learning, assessment, wellbeing, and operations
• Guarantee full compliance with UAE regulatory frameworks and inspection standards
• Shape a pioneering culture grounded in RAK Academy’s values: Learning excellence with a community heart
• Represent the school confidently within the local community and strengthen key partnerships

This is a rare opportunity to define the identity, culture, and direction of a new school from day one.

Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a leader who brings :

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (Education or related field) or NPQH
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Application Pack (Founding Head…)

Experience

• Strong senior leadership experience in a British-curriculum secondary school
• Proven success in school improvement and inspection readiness (UAE / BSO / Ofsted)
• Experience with GCSE, A Level, and BTEC programmes
• Experience founding or expanding a school (advantageous)

Competencies

• Visionary leadership with excellent communication skills
• Deep knowledge of international inspection frameworks
• Ability to build high-performance teams and drive rapid improvement
• Financial literacy and strategic resource management

Why Live and Work in Ras Al Khaimah?

Ras Al Khaimah offers an exceptional quality of life with :

• Beautiful beaches, mountains, and outdoor activities
• A relaxed, family-friendly lifestyle
• Lower cost of living compared to Dubai
• Easy access to Dubai and global travel routes

Attractive Tax-Free Compensation Package

• Competitive salary + housing allowance
• Flights for employee and dependents
• Comprehensive medical insurance
• Annual travel allowance
• Two free school places for children (18 and under)