
GEMS
Deputy Head of Primary – British Curriculum Education
- Permanent
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 5 - 10 yrs
- Urgent
Job expiry date: 14/12/2025
Job overview
Date posted
30/10/2025
Location
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Salary
Undisclosed
Compensation
Comprehensive package + relocation
Experience
5 - 10 yrs
Seniority
Senior Manager
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
14/12/2025
Job description
The Deputy Head of Primary at The Winchester School – Jebel Ali, part of GEMS Education, plays a critical leadership role in maintaining and enhancing academic excellence within a British curriculum environment. Reporting to the Head of Primary and ultimately the Principal/CEO, the position is responsible for promoting safeguarding, child protection, and overall student wellbeing while upholding the ethos, values, and mission of the school in alignment with GEMS Core Values. The Deputy Head will assist, support, and deputise for the Head of Primary in strategic planning, school improvement initiatives, and operational management. Responsibilities include developing and leading teaching staff through mentoring, coaching, and performance management, formulating and reviewing the School Improvement Plan and Strategic Direction, ensuring compliance with the National Curriculum for England, Ministry of Education standards, Dubai Schools Inspection Framework, and British School Overseas Framework. The role demands strong leadership in community engagement, staff supervision, and maintaining a positive image of the school. The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent communication, IT proficiency, and the ability to foster a culture of excellence and continuous professional development across the primary phase.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Promote and ensure high levels of safeguarding, child protection, and student wellbeing
- Assist, support, and deputise for the Head of Primary in all leadership and management capacities
- Contribute to formulating and reviewing the School Improvement Plan, Strategic Direction, and Self Evaluation Framework
- Maintain and develop the ethos, values, and mission of the school in alignment with GEMS Core Values
- Promote a positive image of the school within the local and wider community
- Lead, coach, and develop staff through effective mentoring and performance management systems
- Ensure the school plays an active and constructive role in the local community
- Monitor and evaluate performance across students, staff, and school operations
- Implement and oversee policies for staff, students, and stakeholders
- Lead the efficient organisation, management, and supervision of school routines
- Ensure compliance with the National Curriculum for England, Dubai Schools Inspection Framework, and British School Overseas Framework
- Report and be accountable to the Head of Primary and the Principal/CEO
Experience & skills
- Certified teaching qualification at degree level such as B.Ed, PGCE, PGDE, or equivalent
- At least 5 years of demonstrable teaching experience in a British curriculum primary school
- Previous experience in a leadership or deputy head role within education
- Strong understanding of British educational frameworks and inspection standards
- Proficiency in IT and digital learning platforms
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for engagement with students, staff, and parents
- Proven ability to develop trusting relationships and foster a coaching-based leadership culture
- Demonstrated ability to inspire others and uphold teaching and learning excellence
- Commitment to student development, safeguarding, and welfare in line with GEMS Education standards
- Creative and enthusiastic approach to educational leadership and classroom engagement