Head of Faculty – Art & Design Technology

Job Description

Head of Faculty – Art & Design Technology – August 2026 start

About us:

Fortes Education has been a leading education provider in the UAE for over four decades with premium international schools and nurseries that have experienced outstanding success and growth. Our schools offer the most innovative and character-building education in the entire Middle East region.

Our core ethos and philosophy of education is Positive Education (PosEd). Through PosEd, our schools foster active engagement in learning, celebrating character strengths and accomplishments. We encourage children to cultivate fulfilling relationships with others and seek meaning and purpose in their own lives. We enable children to become happy learners and develop into innovative thinkers, confident young adults, and life-long learners. Our students develop resilience, a growth mindset and deep character strengths that allow them to flourish in an ever-changing world.

About Sunmarke School – Where Amazing Happens

Sunmarke School provides an ambitious and inspiring, values-based education that nurtures the hearts and minds of students so that they can flourish and achieve their dreams. Powered by our suite of signature programmes, Sunmarke is a uniquely innovative school, transforming young lives. This was reflected in Sunmarke School winning the coveted ‘Most Innovative School’ award at the international Which School Advisor ceremony in Dubai and London.

Sunmarke is an all–through school which offers a premium education across a fantastic range of pathways for students, including the National Curriculum of England, GCSE/IGCSE, ‘A’ Levels, BTEC and the IB Diploma Programmes. Our students regularly win examination boards’ ‘best in world’, ‘best in Middle East’ and ‘best in country’ awards every year, across a diverse range of subjects. The latest incredible IB results show that Sunmarke School is in the top 3 schools in Dubai and 69th in world rankings. Our suite of Signature Programmes is unrivalled in Dubai, with inspiring opportunities for students to experience transformative learning opportunities. These include Environmental and Sustainability Studies, where students learn in Forest School settings, as well as utilising cutting-edge hydroponic technology to examine how science can support sustainability in future terrains; a world-class STEAM centre and curriculum, which offers students an incredible opportunity to apply their learning in solving real-world problems, from Foundation Stage through to Year 9; Augmented and Virtual Reality AR/VR experiences alongside our cutting edge use of Artificial Intelligence for staff and students; outstanding performing arts opportunities with full black box and auditorium facilities alongside peripatetic music spaces and media suites; and a fantastic sports programme augmented with professional coaches, which led Sunmarke to be overall champions at the BSME Games.

Sunmarke School has been judged by the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) as a ‘Very Good’ school since our third year of operation and is consistently judged ‘Outstanding’ by British Schools Overseas (BSO).

We present an exciting opportunity to join our all through school and to play an important part in our journey beyond “outstanding”. Sunmarke School, Dubai is one of our flagship schools, located at a prime location in Jumeirah Village Triangle.

About you:

We are seeking an exceptional and inspirational Head of Faculty – Art & Design Technology to lead and shape a vibrant, innovative department across all key stages. This is a teaching and middle leadership role, and the successful candidate will maintain an active teaching commitment across Art and Design Technology, delivering outstanding lessons while driving creativity, innovation, and excellence across the faculty.

About you:

We are looking for a leader who:

• Holds a relevant degree in Art, Design, or a related field, alongside a PGCE (or equivalent) and QTS.
• Has a proven track record of outstanding teaching and learning in Art and/or Design Technology, with strong student outcomes across key stages.
• Demonstrates the ability to balance strategic leadership with an active teaching timetable, modelling outstanding classroom practice.
• Provides clear vision and direction for the faculty, ensuring a high-quality, forward-thinking curriculum that promotes creativity, innovation, and skill development.
• Leads, mentors, and develops a team of Art and DT teachers, fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and accountable culture.
• Is passionate about nurturing creative thinking, problem-solving, and design skills, inspiring students to explore and innovate.
• Drives a rich and inclusive co-curricular programme, including exhibitions, showcases, competitions, and enrichment opportunities.
• Is forward-thinking and embraces technology, digital tools, and emerging trends to enhance learning in Art and DT.
• Uses data and assessment effectively to monitor progress and raise achievement across the faculty.
• Is an excellent communicator, building strong relationships with students, staff, parents, and the wider community.
• Brings energy, creativity, and vision, with the ability to inspire both students and colleagues.
• Demonstrates a growth mindset, being reflective, adaptable, and solution-focused.
• Is committed to contributing to a world-class school environment and continuous professional growth.
• Plays a key role in the wider life of the school, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive culture.
• Acts as an outstanding role model, embodying the school’s core values and promoting creativity, resilience, and collaboration.

Our Offer:

• Excellent tax-free salary.
• Furnished Accommodation.
• Relocation Allowance (applicable to overseas appointments only).
• Medical Insurance for self.
• Annual Air-Ticket and paid vacations.
• Tuition Fee Concession for up to 2 minor dependent(s).
• State-of-the-art facilities and amenities in a newly built campus in a prime location in Dubai.
• An enthusiastic learning community of students, teachers, parents, and Board members, who are dedicated to maximise student achievement, and creating positive learning opportunities in and out of the classroom.
• Working within a team of highly driven and supportive colleagues.
• Excellent professional development.
• Working in Dubai, one of the world’s most sought-after work and travel destinations.