Head of School – Secondary

Job Description

Job Description

GEMS Royal Dubai School is a vibrant, premium British curriculum school with a strong sense of community and a commitment to the highest academic standards. Currently educating students from FS1 to Year 8, the school is entering an exciting phase of strategic growth, expanding to Year 9 in September 2026 and through to Year 13 in the coming years.

With over 850 students representing more than 48 nationalities, GEMS Royal Dubai School offers a truly international learning environment. In September 2026, we will also open a new, purpose-built Secondary campus — a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance our world-class provision across two sites.

The Role

We are seeking an exceptional and ambitious leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as Head of School – Secondary from September 2026. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our Secondary phase as it grows from Key Stage 3 through to post-16 provision.

Skills

The successful candidate will be a dynamic, self-motivated leader with a proven track record of driving standards, inspiring teams and delivering outstanding outcomes for students. The role includes a teaching commitment, allowing the postholder to lead by example and model excellence in practice while driving the #RoyalStandard across the Secondary phase.

Key Responsibilities

The Head of School – Secondary will:

• Provide strategic leadership of academic outcomes and student personal development across the Secondary phase, working through highly effective middle leadership teams.
• Build and sustain strong, trusted partnerships with parents, actively championing the school’s #ParentsAsPartners vision.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge of curriculum, assessment and best practice in teaching and learning across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 of the National Curriculum for England, including academic and alternative pathways.
• Use student performance data strategically to maximise progress and personalise learning pathways for all learners.
• Monitor, support and model consistently outstanding teaching and learning, promoting innovation informed by educational research.
• Uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and student wellbeing, placing personal, social and emotional development at the heart of school life.
• Play a central role in self-evaluation and school development planning, triangulating evidence to evaluate impact and drive sustained improvement.
• Model a high-performance mindset, remaining reflective, resilient and solution-focused.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, students and parents, demonstrating exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Show ambition to contribute to and grow within a world-class school, championing professional learning and development.
• Actively shape a vibrant school culture through engagement in extra-curricular provision and community events.
• Deputise for the Principal and/or Vice Principal as required, including responsibility for effective site management.
  

The Ideal Candidate

You will be an inspirational Secondary leader who is passionate about teaching and learning, excited by school growth and committed to delivering excellence for every child. You will thrive in a fast-paced, forward-thinking environment and be motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Application Process

If you bring a dynamic and innovative approach to leadership and are driven to get the very best from students and staff, we would be delighted to receive your application.

To apply or discuss the role further, please submit the following to hr_rds@gemsedu.com:

• An up-to-date CV outlining roles, responsibilities and experience
• A letter of application explaining your suitability for the role
• A one-page document evidencing the impact you have made in your current role
  

Shortlisting will be ongoing from 16 February 2026.

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.