Assistant Head of Secondary - Aug 2025

Job description / Role

Job Description

We are looking to appoint an experienced Assistant Head of Secondary School from August 2025.

This role is integral to shaping the academic and pastoral experience of students across the Middle Years Programme (MYP), Career-related Programme (CP), and Diploma Programme (DP) in a diverse and expanding international school. The successful candidate will bring a deep understanding of IB frameworks, a commitment to inclusive education, and the ability to support a range of student pathways leading into higher education and careers.

The two Assistant Heads of Secondary, alongside the Head of Secondary, will provide visionary leadership and will demonstrate exemplary management skills in the development of faculty, the quality assurance of all teaching and learning, and the provision of effective communication with all the school's stakeholders, as well as ensuring the social wellbeing and academic growth of all children. Student leadership opportunities are exemplary at GIS and will be developed further by the Assistant Head of Secondary. The educational journey of students through both school divisions within GIS is crucial and therefore the Assistant Head of Secondary will focus on a smooth transition by working on vertical alignment with the Assistant Heads of Primary.

To be considered for this role, candidates must be:

• An effective, dynamic, and visible leader with a proven track record in school leadership and improvement; moreover, possessing gravitas and presence within a school community.
• Rigorous in promoting excellence and developing commitment to high standards of care and opportunities for all.
• Able to demonstrate successful experience of leading and managing staff, promoting and developing approaches to learning.
• Able to demonstrate a comprehensive and confident knowledge of the MYP, DP, and CP frameworks.

The successful candidate will:

• Be a consistently outstanding classroom practitioner.
• Create a learning environment which promotes a thirst for knowledge and a love of learning.
• Have a proven track record of raising standards for learners of all abilities including those with complex needs.
• Have effective organisational, managerial, and interpersonal skills.
• Be able to promote new initiatives and positive relationships throughout the school community.
• Be able to demonstrate genuine passion towards the wider co-curricular life of a school.

Overall Responsibilities

The Assistant Head of Secondary School is responsible for ensuring that GIS has the best possible learning and teaching environment and placing students at the heart of decision making. The Assistant Head of Secondary should provide support, guidance, and leadership and be a model of good practice for all staff. He/She must also possess excellent communication skills and be professional and confident in communicating with all stakeholders and external agents.

Strategic Leadership & Curriculum Development

• Provide visionary leadership in the continued development of the MYP, CP, and DP curricula, ensuring alignment with IB philosophy and best practices.
• Oversee teaching and learning standards, ensuring alignment with IB Standards and Practices across MYP, CP, and DP.
• Assist with the coordination and conduct of relevant secondary meetings, including but not limited to Secondary Leadership Team meetings, Academic and Pastoral Board, and the Executive Leadership Team.
• Produce the Secondary School Staff and Parent Handbooks.
• Coach and/or mentor teachers and Middle Leaders within the Secondary School.
• Support curriculum innovation to enhance student engagement and achievement across multiple learning pathways.
• Work closely with Heads of Departments and teaching staff to maintain high academic standards and rigorous assessment practices.

Student Support & Well-being and Safeguarding

• Lead on student well-being initiatives, ensuring a holistic approach that supports both academic success and personal development.
• Oversee and support the Homeroom teacher programme, ensuring that all students have a strong connection with a dedicated mentor.
• Strengthen parent partnerships by fostering open communication, hosting information sessions, and ensuring families are engaged in their child's learning journey.
• Promote a safe and inclusive school environment, ensuring robust safeguarding policies and child protection measures are in place.
• Collaborate with the pastoral team, school counselors, and learning support staff to provide targeted interventions for students in need.
• Be aligned to and knowledgeable of the MYP, CP, and DP.
• Promote the IB values and ensure the best outcomes and educational journey for all secondary students.
• Lead on the implementation and refinement of MYP, DP, and CP assessment practices, ensuring authenticity, consistency, and alignment with IB assessment criteria.
• Conduct classroom observations, provide constructive feedback, and support teachers in improving pedagogy and differentiation strategies.
• Ensure that assessment data is used effectively to track student progress, inform teaching practices, and support intervention strategies.
• Maintain open dialogue between the school, students, and their parents on all matters educational. The Assistant Head of Secondary is responsible for monitoring the progress of students from first placement in the school to the time they leave.
• Produce the Secondary School (MYP, CP, and DP) curriculum handbooks in liaison with the curriculum coordinators.
• Carry out timetabling and resource management.
• Organise and present at parental curriculum and information evenings.

Teacher Development & Performance Management

• Lead professional development initiatives to enhance IB pedagogy, differentiation strategies, and inclusive teaching practices.
• Conduct teacher appraisals and provide coaching and mentoring to enhance instructional quality.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous professional growth among staff. Ensure Performance Management and Line Management is effective in consultation with the Head of Secondary.

Post-16 Pathways & University Readiness

• Support students in making informed choices about their post-16 pathways, including CP and DP options.
• Strengthen partnerships with universities and industry to enhance career-related experiences for CP students.
• Oversee student guidance related to university admissions, internships, and career pathways.

Operational & Regulatory Leadership

• Ensure compliance with IB standards and KHDA regulations, supporting school inspections and accreditation processes.
• Contribute to strategic planning, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Develop data-driven strategies for school improvement, student performance tracking, and curriculum evaluation.

Skills

The Person

The successful candidate will have the ability to be an inspirational and innovative leader who can secure the full engagement of staff and all other stakeholders in the delivery of the school's objectives. She/he will show leadership and moral values through action and example in her/his daily conduct. She/he will engage superbly with the community, be a respected ambassador for the secondary school, motivate others, and achieve excellent academic results within a truly holistic environment. The successful candidate will have the following key skills, experience, and attributes:

Qualifications & Personal Development

• University educated with an Honours Degree; recognised learning and development is essential.
• Further degree in education is desirable.

Knowledge

Essential:

• Leadership and management in the fields of learning and communication.
• Experience and support of IB curricula.
• Assessment for Learning, Assessment of Learning, use of data, baselines assessment, and value added.
• ELL and SEN provision.
• Current educational issues and up-to-date curriculum developments.

Desirable:

• CIS accreditation process; KHDA experience and familiarity with regulatory frameworks in Dubai; IB examining, training, or workshop experience.

Experience

Essential:

• A clear focus and passion for student learning.
• Leadership position in a school with responsibility for curriculum and/or pastoral care and/or personnel.
• Developing and implementing school quality improvement programmes, including demonstration of raising students' levels of achievement.
• Excellent professional knowledge (of curriculum, quality management, school organisation, and current educational issues).
• Successful partnerships and communication with parents and communities outside the school. The ability to represent the school to its student and parent community.

Desirable:

• Experience in an international environment.
• Knowledge of other cultures, particularly in the Middle East.

Qualities

Essential:

• Clear educational vision based on evidence and experience.
• Resilience, good humour, and balance.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
• Range of leadership approaches and styles.
• Passion for improving learning and the ability to lead the professional development of staff.
• A belief in the promotion of shared values.
• Creative in identifying and meeting challenges.
• A problem solver who can adapt, change, and listen actively.
• Open and sensitive to cultural differences.
• Reliable, committed, with clarity of thought and judgement.
• Experience working with diverse student populations, including ELL and Students of Determination.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teacher development, coaching, and performance management.

All positions attract an excellent remuneration package including competitive tax-free salary, individual fully furnished accommodation, free schooling for one child, private medical insurance, annual airfares to the country of residence, and end of service gratuity.

• The opportunity to shape and lead in a thriving, multicultural IB school.
• Professional growth and leadership development in a dynamic and expanding environment.
• A supportive and collaborative school community with a commitment to excellence.

Working with GEMS offers you a unique opportunity to enhance and progress your career in a global setting. GEMS provides you with the unparalleled chance to be part of the world's largest K-12 private school operator.

If you are a passionate and forward-thinking IB leader, eager to make an impact in a diverse and ambitious school, we would love to hear from you!

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.

About the Company

GEMS Education is a pioneering education company with an international network of award winning K-12 schools. Over the past 55 years GEMS has grown from one school to being a truly global company with one incredible mission – to make quality education available to every student. Over 20,000 education professionals unlock the potential of over 250,000 students across 14 countries each and every day, preparing children of all ages for real world success.