Deputy Head of Secondary

Job description / Role

Job overview

Due to the continued success of GEMS Metropole Al-Waha, Dubai, we are seeking to appoint a Deputy Head of Secondary for August 2026. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced leader to take the next step in their career within a world-class international school and a globally renowned education company.

Join us at GEMS Metropole Al-Waha, where sustainability is at the heart of education. Our state-of-the-art campus in Dubai showcases eco-friendly initiatives, providing educators with the ideal platform to inspire students and embed sustainable values across learning.

Our Secondary School is growing rapidly following our successful opening in September 2023 and the continued demand for places for September 2025.

At GEMS, teaching is not just a job—it’s a career. Our teachers benefit from free access to leading CPD programmes and have the opportunity to grow with the company on a global scale. With most of our school leaders progressing from within the GEMS network, our teachers are uniquely positioned to explore leadership opportunities worldwide as GEMS continues to expand.

As well as being a great place to work, Dubai is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and rapidly developing city where the sun shines all year round. Teachers here enjoy an exciting lifestyle, with endless opportunities for leisure, adventure, and travel across the region and beyond.

We will be British Schools Overseas (BSO) accredited by the end of this academic year, enabling us to offer NQT, ECF, QTS, and iPGCE programmes to our teachers through the TES Institute. GEMS Metropole Al-Waha is truly unique, offering every staff member the opportunity to make a lasting impact. In line with our school vision, you will have the opportunity to lead, nurture, and succeed in a sustainable and inclusive community.

We are now looking for an outstanding, innovative leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as Deputy Head of Secondary. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving continued excellence across the school.

Key responsibilities

• Promote and ensure high levels of safeguarding, student well-being, and development
• Assist, support, represent, and deputise for the Head of School
• Champion the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the GEMS Core Values
• Lead on the formulation and review of the School Improvement Plan, strategic direction, and self-evaluation
• Maintain and develop the ethos, values, mission, and vision of the school
• Promote a positive image of the school within the wider community
• Lead and develop staff through effective coaching, mentoring, and performance management
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of staff, students, and the school as a whole
• Oversee the organisation, management, and supervision of school routines
• Ensure compliance with policies and regulatory frameworks, including the National Curriculum for England, the Ministry of Education, the Dubai Schools Inspection Framework, and the British Schools Overseas Framework

Person specification

The successful candidate will:

• Embody and role model our core values of curiosity, confidence, creativity, respect, and kindness
• Hold a recognised teaching qualification (B.Ed, PGCE, PGDE, or equivalent)
• Have at least five years of demonstrable experience in Secondary teaching within a British curriculum school
• Have proven leadership experience in a similar or related role
• Possess strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire, coach, and develop others
• Demonstrate a commitment to providing outstanding teaching and learning
• Aspire to work in a world-class school with real prospects for career advancement
• Have excellent IT and communication skills, and the ability to build strong relationships with students and parents
• Bring creativity, enthusiasm, and a forward-thinking approach both in and out of the classroom