Head of Secondary

Our School; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

The British International School Abu Dhabi, part of Nord Anglia Education, invites applications for an outstanding Head of Secondary to lead a world-class secondary program within a through-school framework.

The successful candidate will partner with the Head of Primary and Principal to drive strategic leadership, teaching excellence, curriculum quality, professional development and community partnerships across the school.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in educational leadership within a British curriculum or international school.
• Proven ability to raise academic standards and develop staff.
• Strong interpersonal, organisational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Teaching and Learning oversight across the secondary school.
• Leadership of a world-class curriculum and professional learning.
• Accountability for leaders and staff at all levels.
• Marketing and communications for the school community.

Skills

Educational leadership

Curriculum development

Staff development

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

Degree in relevant subject

QTS PGCE or equivalent

NPQH

Job description

Head of Secondary

The British International School Abu Dhabi is looking to appoint an outstanding Head of Secondary to join a well-established highly successful school that offers a world class education for all.

The closing date for applications is 6th January 2026.

The Head of Secondary will create a culture where staff and students are inspired to achieve their potential. They will be a compassionate values-based leader who champions an inclusive culture; models high levels of professionalism and reflective practice.

The Head of Secondary will lead all aspects of the Secondary School. They will work in close partnership with the Head of Primary and Principal driving improvement as one through school providing strategic leadership and direction for all aspects of the secondary school. Key areas of responsibility:

• Teaching and Learning
• A world class curriculum
• Professional Learning
• Accountability for leaders and staff at all levels
• Marketing and communication
• Community and partnership
• At least one area of whole school responsibility.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A degree in a relevant subject and a recognised teaching qualification (QTS PGCE or equivalent).
• NPQH and additional evidence of professional learning and qualifications
• Substantial experience in educational leadership within a British curriculum and preferably an international school.
• Proven success in improving academic standards and staff development.
• Excellent interpersonal organisational and communication skills.
• A commitment to fostering a culture of high expectations inclusion and continuous improvement in a through school environment.

About Our School

The British International School Abu Dhabi is a highly successful school with a committed and inspirational team of teaching professionals at its heart. It has a track record of improvement and excellence built on a foundation of community and partnership.

The school was originally opened in 2009 and is now widely recognised as one of the leading schools in the Middle East. The school is internationally recognized winning awards at the prestigious International School Awards MENA and ADEK awards.

To learn more about our school please visit Nord Anglia Education

Each Nord Anglia Education school is unique in character and designed to meet the needs of its community. We are united by our philosophy to be ambitious for our students our people and our family of schools. We believe that being part of our family of 90 schools gives them a special advantage. Working together we can achieve more than we can individually. Our schools have access to a wide range of resources and support to enhance their success. We also create unique opportunities to benefit our students and staff such as the Global Campus Nord Anglia University and our collaborations with The Juilliard School MIT UNICEF IMG Harvard and Kings College London.

When you join a Nord Anglia Education school you join a global community of more than 13000 people working together to support our students success. We offer you unsurpassed opportunities to innovate and develop best practice across our family to access extensive professional development and to gain exceptional experience and career development in our schools. At Nord Anglia you will have opportunities to progress more learn more and collaborate more.

Our collaborations with The Juilliard School MIT UNICEF IMG and Harvard offer our teachers unrivalled access to leading experts in their fields. We also offer selected candidates from our staff worldwide an opportunity to earn their Executive Masters in International Education in an exclusive collaboration with Kings College London. Staff have the opportunity to engage in international educational research projects and take part in professional learning across the globe.

Alongside great training and a competitive package youll enjoy the chance to live and work in one of the worlds most vibrant cities.

As a Nord Anglia Education teacher you enjoy the following benefits:

• A fast-paced global experience so that you can progress on a global scale
• An enabling environment founded on creativity challenge and collaboration
• A culture that is fair and consultative
• Unique opportunities to grow professionally and develop your career
• Opportunities to apply for further leadership positions

Nord Anglia Education is committed to maintaining an inclusive work environment free from discrimination and harassment. Working mindfully with diversity is an essential part of this. We expect all members of our community- colleagues students parents partners and suppliers - to understand and embrace the importance of diversity and inclusion and stand against discrimination in any form.

As an employer our aim is to create an environment where colleagues are welcomed and are able to bring talents skills background and experiences to their roles in an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds work together with dignity and respect.

Safeguarding

At Nord Anglia Education we are committed to providing a world class safe happy environment in which children and young people are able to thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils irrespective of race ability religion gender or culture.

All post holders having regular unsupervised contact with children are subject to appropriate national and international vetting procedures including satisfactory criminal record checks from both Country of residence/birth and any Country of residence within the last 10 years.

Selection Process

Applicants should submit a CV letter of application and two professional referees one of which should be your current Principal.

The start date is August 2026.

Other Conditions

Compliance with visa requirements for working in the UAE.

At Nord Anglia Education we are committed to providing a world class safe happy environment in which children and young people are able to thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils irrespective of race ability religion gender or culture.

All post holders in regulated activity (having regular unsupervised contact with children) are subject to appropriate national and international vetting procedures including satisfactory criminal record checks from both Country of residence/birth and any Country of residence within the last 10 years.

Required Experience:

Director