Inclusion Lead - Immediate Start

GEMS SCHOOLS IN UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive tax-free salary

Individual furnished accommodation

Annual return flights

Private medical insurance

Tuition fee benefit for up to 1 child

Visa sponsorship

Relocation allowance

End of service gratuity

GEMS Rewards

Job summary

GEMS Education in the UAE is seeking an experienced Inclusion Lead to drive a whole-school approach to inclusive education and ensure that students with additional learning needs receive high-quality, personalised support to access the curriculum and achieve their potential.

You will work with the Principal, senior leaders, teachers, families and external professionals to develop effective systems for identification, intervention, provision and monitoring, in a student-centred, outcome-focused

Qualifications

• Has strategic and operational leadership for inclusion across a school.
• Experience in identifying and supporting students with additional learning needs.
• Strong knowledge of IEPs, intervention strategies and progress monitoring.
• Experience in professional development and leading colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic development and implementation of inclusive education.
• Coordinate identification, assessment and monitoring of students needing support.
• Support differentiation and remove barriers to participation.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to embed inclusion in planning and improvement.
• Monitor impact of inclusion provision using progress data.

Skills

Inclusion leadership experience

Progress monitoring

Differentiation in classrooms

Staff development

Communication with families

Collaboration with external teams

Leadership of inclusion team

Student-centred approach

Interagency liaison

International / UAE context experience

Education

B.Ed / PGCE / State Teaching Licence or equivalent

Bachelor's degree meeting UAE approval

Qualification in SEND / Inclusion / Special Education

3+ years teaching experience with SEND

Job description

About the School

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a leading GEMS international school in the UAE.

The school provides a high-quality international education to a diverse student community and is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and aspirational environment in which every student can thrive.

As part of GEMS Education, the school benefits from the scale and expertise of one of the world’s leading private education providers, while maintaining a strong individual school culture centred around student wellbeing, academic excellence and continuous improvement.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly committed Inclusion Lead to join our school for an immediate start, or January 2027 at the latest.

The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership for inclusion across the school, ensuring that students with additional learning needs receive high-quality, personalised support that enables them to access the curriculum and achieve their full potential.

Working closely with the Principal, Senior Leadership Team, teachers, inclusion specialists, families and external professionals, the Inclusion Lead will drive a whole-school approach to inclusive education and ensure that effective systems are in place for identification, intervention, provision and monitoring.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced inclusion professional who combines strong educational leadership with a genuinely student-centred approach.

Key Responsibilities

Inclusion Leadership

• Lead the strategic development and implementation of inclusive education across the school.
• Ensure a consistent whole-school approach to identifying and supporting students with additional learning needs.
• Lead and support the Inclusion team, establishing clear expectations and ensuring high-quality provision across the school.
• Work closely with senior leaders to ensure inclusion is embedded within curriculum planning, teaching and learning and wider school improvement.
• Monitor the effectiveness and impact of inclusion provision using student progress data and other evidence.
• Ensure school policies and practices align with GEMS expectations and relevant UAE regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to school self-evaluation, improvement planning and inspection preparation in relation to inclusion.

Student Provision & Support

• Oversee the identification, assessment and monitoring of students requiring additional support.
• Ensure appropriate individual education plans, interventions and support strategies are developed, implemented and regularly reviewed.
• Support teachers in differentiating learning and removing barriers to student participation and achievement.
• Coordinate provision and interventions across the school, ensuring resources are deployed effectively.
• Work collaboratively with counsellors, pastoral teams, ELL specialists and other colleagues to provide holistic student support.
• Liaise with external specialists and agencies where appropriate.

Staff, Parents & Communication

• Provide guidance, coaching and professional development to teachers and support staff around inclusive classroom practice.
• Build positive and collaborative relationships with parents, ensuring clear communication regarding student needs, provision and progress.
• Champion a culture in which diversity and individual learning needs are understood, respected and celebrated.
• Keep abreast of developments in inclusive education and share effective practice across the school.

Skills

Successful Candidate

• A recognised teaching qualification such as a B.Ed, PGCE, State Teaching Licence or equivalent.
• A relevant bachelor’s degree meeting UAE teacher approval requirements.
• A recognised qualification or substantial professional development in SEND, Inclusion, Special Education or a related area.
• A minimum of three years’ successful teaching experience, with significant experience supporting students with additional learning needs.
• Previous experience leading Inclusion, SEND/SEN or additional learning provision within a school setting.
• Strong knowledge of identification, intervention, individual education planning and progress monitoring.
• A strong understanding of inclusive classroom practice and effective differentiation.
• Experience leading and developing colleagues and delivering professional development.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to work effectively with students, families, teachers, senior leaders and external professionals.
• A compassionate, solution-focused and student-centred approach.
• Experience within an international school or the UAE would be advantageous but is not essential.

What We Offer

As part of GEMS Education, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive tax-free salary
• Individual furnished accommodation
• Annual return flights
• Private medical insurance
• Tuition fee benefit for up to 1 child
• Visa sponsorship
• Relocation allowance
• End of service gratuity
• GEMS Rewards

Application Process

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, either in person or virtually. We are seeking to appoint as soon as possible, with a January 2027 start at the latest, and therefore early applications are strongly encouraged.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead inclusive education within a high-performing international school and make a meaningful impact on the learning, wellbeing and success of our students.