Primary Learning Support Assistant

International Schools Partnership; Dubai; On-site; AED 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider in Dubai seeks a Head of Department for Design and Technology. Responsibilities include ensuring high standards of teaching, managing staff, and fostering an environment of learning. Candidates must have a relevant degree, QTS or PGCE, and at least 3 years of secondary teaching experience. Leadership and effective pedagogy are key. Join a dedicated team committed to outstanding outcomes for students.

Benefits

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of successful teaching experience in secondary education.
• Experience in a leadership role is preferable but not essential.
• Ability to sustain and improve outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Ensure outstanding attainment and progress across all subjects.
• Lead and manage the DT team to ensure high-quality teaching.
• Implement robust assessment systems and strategies.

Skills

Leadership competencies

Knowledge of effective teaching

Attainment data tracking

Collaboration

Education

Good honours degree

QTS or PGCE teaching qualification

Job description

Job Title

Head of Department – Design and Technology (Secondary)

Reports to

Deputy/Assistant Head of Secondary

Direct Reports

DT Teacher and DT Technician within the Department

Job Scope

Responsibility for the outcomes and quality of teaching and learning curriculum and assessment across the department. Ensure outstanding attainment and progress across all subjects within the department. Track and monitor attainment data and triangulate this with other available data to identify and remove barriers to learning.

Lead and manage the DT team, ensuring the highest quality of provision for students. Ensure that teaching and learning across the department is of the highest possible quality and that a variety of formative and assessment strategies are used to know where all students are in their learning.

Ensure robust assessment systems that maintain accuracy in data predictions and protect the integrity of marking and moderation.

Foster a love of learning for the subjects within the DT department.

Key Principles

• Begin with children and students – they are at the heart of what we do. Their wellbeing and safety are essential.
• Treat everyone with care and respect – celebrate similarities and differences and promote wellbeing.
• Operate effectively – focus relentlessly on what matters most and embody the shared ideas of our community.
• Learn continuously – pursue personal, professional and school improvement.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.

Teaching and Learning Responsibilities

• Visionary leadership with a clear understanding of how to achieve outstanding outcomes.
• Engage in research into effective subject-specific pedagogy.
• Lead the development of teaching and learning across the department.
• Support and challenge teaching and learning that does not lead to outstanding student achievement.
• Maintain robust tracking and monitoring systems to ensure students do not fall through the net.
• Develop a wide range of effective intervention strategies to improve outcomes.
• Maintain robust assessment systems that strategically monitor marking quality through standardisation and moderation.
• Develop curricula for all subjects across the department where appropriate.
• Be an excellent classroom practitioner with the highest standards of teaching and learning in own classroom.
• Ensure lessons are creative and engaging to foster a love and passion for learning.
• Implement systems that develop students’ autonomy and self‑direction.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead and manage teachers within the department ensuring the highest quality of provision.
• Lead and line‑manage departmental leaders, fostering their development.
• Oversee the delivery of all DT subjects within the department.
• Undertake rigorous self‑evaluation to generate and maintain relevant improvement plans.
• Implement actions that ensure progress and impact towards departmental improvement.
• Provide quality assurance across the department (lesson observations, drop‑in student voice, book‑look‑ups).
• Maintain high expectations of colleagues and challenge underperformance.
• Develop and maintain strong links with other Heads of Department to contribute to the wider middle leadership team.
• Create departmental policies aligned with whole school policies.

Pastoral Responsibilities

• Play a key role in managing student behaviour across the department, intervening early rather than escalating.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people under your care.
• Perform additional duties assigned by the Head of Secondary and/or Principal.

Qualifications and Experience

• Good honours degree.
• Hold a QTS or PGCE teaching qualification (preferably from the UK).
• Successful teaching experience in secondary education of at least 3 years.
• Previous experience in a leadership role is preferable but not essential.
• Experience sustaining and improving outcomes.
• Personal qualities: honesty, integrity, transparency, flexibility, proactive, strategic thinker, system oriented, detail‑oriented, impact‑driven, learning mindset, collaborative, humour.

Competencies – Skills & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of attainment data tracking and systems.
• Knowledge of effective teaching at KS4 and KS5.
• Knowledge of subject‑specific pedagogy.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, educational developments in the UK and UAE (Dubai).
• Leadership competencies: collaboration, learning & getting better, inspiring others, understanding people, influencing & communication.
• Strategy & innovation: innovation leadership, agility, strategic commercial & financial awareness.
• Delivering results: outcome‑driven, resilience, planning & decision making.
• Community focus: integrity, ethics, diversity & equality, safeguarding commitment.

Safeguarding Statement

The English College and ISP are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory criminal background checks covering the previous 10 years of employment history.

Diversity & Inclusion

The ISP is committed to strengthening an inclusive culture by identifying, developing and retaining high‑performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio‑economic background or other demographic characteristics.

Review & Declaration

This job description is subject to review by WSLT in collaboration with the post holder to ensure it remains current and relevant. Any changes will be implemented after consultation.