Head of Arabic & Islamic - January 2027

AAESS; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tax-free salary

Accommodation provided

Medical insurance

Return annual flights

Visa costs covered

Job summary

AAESS is seeking to appoint an outstanding Head of Arabic & Islamic to join our team from January 2027. The successful candidate will lead the Arabic and Islamic department, ensuring high standards of teaching and learning across all key stages.

We are looking for an inspiring and dynamic leader who can drive academic excellence, develop curriculum and assessment, ensuring that local context, the Arabic language and UAE values are reflected in whole school decision making.

Qualifications

• Minimum bachelor's degree.
• Fluency in Arabic and English.
• Excellent organisational and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of MOE curriculum and regulatory frameworks.
• Knowledge of Arabic, Islamic Studies, Social Studies and MSC curriculum and assessment.
• British curriculum context.
• Significant teaching experience in MOE subjects.
• Leadership experience within Arabic and/or Islamic department.
• Experience with ADEK is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Arabic and Islamic department across all key stages.
• Drive academic excellence, develop curriculum and assessment.
• Reflect local context, the Arabic language and UAE values in school decisions.

Job description

AAESS is seeking to appoint an outstanding Head of Arabic & Islamic to join our team from January 2027.

The successful candidate will lead the Arabic and Islamic department, ensuring high standards of teaching and learning across all key stages. We are looking for an inspiring and dynamic leader who can drive academic excellence, develop curriculum and assessment, ensuring that local context, the Arabic language and UAE values are reflected in whole school decision making.

About Cognita:

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.

About AAESS:

Al Ain English Speaking School is one of the oldest schools in Al Ain with a reputation that goes beyond the city boundaries. It sits in the ‘Garden City’ renowned for being an oasis in the desert. AAESS is an all through school with over 2200 children from 3 to 19, and continually growing. The campus is spacious and welcoming and prides itself with good facilities such as our fantastic indoor swimming pool; floodlit tennis courts; 566 seat auditorium; food prep and nutrition kitchen; automotive garage; TV & radio production studio and two Apple Mac suites. We deliver the British Curriculum and offer iGCSE, AS and A Levels, with our 6th Form students securing places in prestigious universities all over the world.

Al Ain English Speaking School is the first school in Al Ain to hold the British Schools Overseas Award, where we are endorsed by the British Government and quality assured by Ofsted. Additionally, the school holds the prestigious Silver Carnegie Mental Health Award, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and the mental well-being of its students and staff.

Al Ain English Speaking School is a caring and multicultural community that enables all individuals to realise their potential in a dynamic and innovative learning environment. We value enquiry, perseverance and reflection, treating one another with respect and integrity, while learning together to become responsible and enterprising global citizens.

Role Overview:

We are seeking to appoint enthusiastic, passionate and creative leaders and teachers of the highest quality to join our supportive and innovative team. The school, which was established in 1979, is one of the founding British schools in Al Ain and is held in high regard by the local community for its pioneering education. AAESS is a DFE registered BSO (British Schools Overseas) in Al Ain, and has an inspection rating of Very Good.

We are very proud of our students who continually gain Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards and Cambridge and Pearson Highest in the UAE, Middle East, and the World awards with our recent major successes in French, Maths and Psychology.

The successful applicant will:

• Minimum bachelor's degree
• Fluency in Arabic and English
• Excellent organisational and leadership skills
• Knowledge of MOE curriculum and regulatory frameworks
• Knowledge of Arabic, Islamic Studies, Social Studies and MSC curriculum and assessment
• British curriculum context
• Significant teaching experience in MOE subjects
• Leadership experience within Arabic and/or Islamic department
• Experience with ADEK is preferred

Benefits include:

• An attractive and competitive tax free salary.
• Four and a half day working week in line with new UAE laws but with full time salary.
• High quality furnished accommodation.
• Generous medical insurance.
• Return annual flights to your home country.
• Visa costs and end of service gratuity.
• Year-round sunshine.
• Middle Management positions might be available for suitable candidates.

Benefits of living in Al Ain & the UAE:

Living in Al Ain City, offers teachers extremely affordable living in an exceptionally friendly and cosmopolitan environment. Staff enjoy an excellent lifestyle, with plentiful leisure facilities (E.g. Rugby, Golf, Swimming, discounted hotel memberships) and fascinating tourist attractions (E.g. Al Ain Zoo, Wadi Adventure, Jebel Hafeet).With the thrill and bright lights of Dubai and Abu Dhabi on our doorstep, staff have extensive opportunities for travel around the Gulf region and further afield.

The position is a full-time, permanent role and offers a highly competitive salary.

Al Ain English Speaking School and Cognita are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 10 years.