Assistant Headteacher - Primary
Posted date [2026-06-16]
(ID: 46724)
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GEMS Education is one of the largest and most respected private K-12 education providers in the world, with deep roots in the UAE since 1959. A trusted name in international education, GEMS operates over 47 schools across the Middle East and North Africa, offering a diverse range of British, American, IB, and Indian curricula to more than 115,000 students. Known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation in teaching, and world-class learning environments, GEMS Education empowers students from all backgrounds to achieve their full potential. Its inclusive and purpose-driven culture supports passionate educators in delivering impactful, future-focused education. Whether you’re an experienced teacher, school leader, or education professional, GEMS Education offers dynamic career growth, continuous professional development, and the chance to be part of a legacy that’s transforming lives through learning.... |
Job Description and Requirements
Assistant Headteacher - PrimaryJob Snapshot
Role: Assistant Headteacher - Primary
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Primary-Secondary Education
Function: School-College Administration
Experience: Demonstrated school leadership and management experience
Job Type: Full-time
Position Overview
Assistant Headteacher - Primary in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a senior Primary-Secondary Education opportunity for an experienced school leader who can support primary school improvement, model excellent classroom practice, coach teachers, strengthen assessment standards, and contribute to a high-performing British curriculum learning environment. This role is ideal for a confident educator ready to move into a wider leadership position within GEMS Education while supporting student achievement, staff development, safeguarding, inclusion, wellbeing, and KHDA inspection readiness.
Job Details
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Dubai
Industry: Primary-Secondary Education
Function: School-College Administration
Salary: 20000-32000
Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate
Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Context
The Assistant Headteacher - Primary will work closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team to drive school improvement, strengthen teaching and learning, and maintain high standards across the primary phase. The role requires a leader who can model outstanding classroom practice, support curriculum quality, use assessment data to improve outcomes, and coach teachers towards consistently strong performance. The position also plays an important part in safeguarding, inclusion, positive behaviour, student wellbeing, staff development, and building a school culture aligned with the GEMS values of Grow, Flourish, and Succeed.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and model excellent classroom practice across the primary phase in line with GEMS Teaching and Learning Policy.
* Support the implementation of Teach Like a GEMS Educator and Read Like a GEMS Educator practices across teaching teams.
* Work with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team on school improvement priorities, staff development, safeguarding, and operational planning.
* Coach, mentor, and support teachers to raise standards in lesson delivery, assessment, differentiation, inclusion, and classroom practice.
* Use assessment data, student progress information, and curriculum evidence to identify improvement priorities and strengthen student outcomes.
* Support KHDA inspection readiness through accurate documentation, quality assurance, evidence gathering, and improvement planning.
* Promote positive behaviour, strong routines, student wellbeing, and an inclusive school culture across the primary section.
* Contribute to curriculum design, teaching standards, assessment frameworks, and progress tracking systems.
* Build productive relationships with staff, students, parents, external stakeholders, and wider school community members.
* Support teachers in developing effective learning environments that encourage confidence, curiosity, participation, and achievement.
* Help identify professional development needs and contribute to training, coaching, mentoring, and collaborative improvement activities.
* Encourage a culture of shared responsibility, reflective practice, and high expectations across the primary team.
* Support safeguarding procedures and ensure student care remains central to school leadership decisions.
* Maintain professional standards in communication, leadership, documentation, confidentiality, and school operations.
* Follow GEMS Education policies, school procedures, safeguarding requirements, and professional codes of conduct at all times.
Ideal Profile
* Qualified teacher with a BEd, Bachelor’s degree with PGCE, PGDE, or equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
* Demonstrated leadership and management experience within a school setting.
* Experience at Key Stage level or in a comparable middle or senior leadership role is highly desirable.
* Strong understanding of primary curriculum design, assessment, student progress tracking, and teaching quality improvement.
* Ability to use data effectively to identify trends, improve outcomes, and support strategic school development.
* Proven ability to promote high standards of behaviour, inclusion, safeguarding, and student wellbeing.
* Strong classroom practice with the ability to model effective teaching and support colleagues professionally.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working with staff, students, parents, leaders, and external stakeholders.
* Collaborative leadership style with the ability to motivate, guide, support, and inspire teams.
* Experience contributing to sustained school improvement in a British curriculum or international school environment.
* Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage leadership responsibilities, deadlines, documentation, and competing priorities.
* Commitment to the values, culture, and professional expectations of GEMS Education.
* A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police clearance is required for appointment.
Skills Set
* Primary school leadership
* School improvement
* British curriculum
* Teaching and learning
* Curriculum design
* Assessment leadership
* Student progress tracking
* Data-driven improvement
* Teacher coaching
* Staff mentoring
* Classroom practice
* Inclusion
* Safeguarding
* Student wellbeing
* Positive behaviour
* KHDA inspection readiness
* Primary phase leadership
* Senior Leadership Team support
* Curriculum planning
* Quality assurance
* Staff development
* Parent communication
* Stakeholder engagement
* Team leadership
* Professional development
* School culture
* GEMS Teaching and Learning Policy
* Teach Like a GEMS Educator
* Read Like a GEMS Educator
Why Join Us
This opportunity gives an Assistant Headteacher - Primary the chance to take a meaningful leadership step within Dubai’s Primary-Secondary Education sector while working in a BSO-accredited GEMS Education school. The role offers access to world-class professional development, leadership pathways, NQT, QTS, and iPGCE programme support through the TES Institute, and strong career progression across the global GEMS network. The package includes a tax-free salary, individual fully furnished accommodation, free schooling for children, private medical insurance, annual airfares to home country, End of Service Gratuity, and complimentary access to GEMS Rewards for savings on flights, hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, and everyday life in the UAE.
About the Company
GEMS Education is a leading education provider in the UAE with a strong network of international schools across Dubai and the wider region. Through its Founders schools, GEMS Education delivers accessible British curriculum education supported by strong safeguarding standards, professional development, inclusive learning communities, and a commitment to high academic achievement. The organisation helps teachers and school leaders build meaningful careers while supporting students to grow, flourish, succeed, and prepare confidently for the future.
Job Type: Full-time
Role Context
The Assistant Headteacher - Primary will work closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team to drive school improvement, strengthen teaching and learning, and maintain high standards across the primary phase. The role requires a leader who can model outstanding classroom practice, support curriculum quality, use assessment data to improve outcomes, and coach teachers towards consistently strong performance. The position also plays an important part in safeguarding, inclusion, positive behaviour, student wellbeing, staff development, and building a school culture aligned with the GEMS values of Grow, Flourish, and Succeed.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and model excellent classroom practice across the primary phase in line with GEMS Teaching and Learning Policy.
* Support the implementation of Teach Like a GEMS Educator and Read Like a GEMS Educator practices across teaching teams.
* Work with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team on school improvement priorities, staff development, safeguarding, and operational planning.
* Coach, mentor, and support teachers to raise standards in lesson delivery, assessment, differentiation, inclusion, and classroom practice.
* Use assessment data, student progress information, and curriculum evidence to identify improvement priorities and strengthen student outcomes.
* Support KHDA inspection readiness through accurate documentation, quality assurance, evidence gathering, and improvement planning.
* Promote positive behaviour, strong routines, student wellbeing, and an inclusive school culture across the primary section.
* Contribute to curriculum design, teaching standards, assessment frameworks, and progress tracking systems.
* Build productive relationships with staff, students, parents, external stakeholders, and wider school community members.
* Support teachers in developing effective learning environments that encourage confidence, curiosity, participation, and achievement.
* Help identify professional development needs and contribute to training, coaching, mentoring, and collaborative improvement activities.
* Encourage a culture of shared responsibility, reflective practice, and high expectations across the primary team.
* Support safeguarding procedures and ensure student care remains central to school leadership decisions.
* Maintain professional standards in communication, leadership, documentation, confidentiality, and school operations.
* Follow GEMS Education policies, school procedures, safeguarding requirements, and professional codes of conduct at all times.
Ideal Profile
* Qualified teacher with a BEd, Bachelor’s degree with PGCE, PGDE, or equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
* Demonstrated leadership and management experience within a school setting.
* Experience at Key Stage level or in a comparable middle or senior leadership role is highly desirable.
* Strong understanding of primary curriculum design, assessment, student progress tracking, and teaching quality improvement.
* Ability to use data effectively to identify trends, improve outcomes, and support strategic school development.
* Proven ability to promote high standards of behaviour, inclusion, safeguarding, and student wellbeing.
* Strong classroom practice with the ability to model effective teaching and support colleagues professionally.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working with staff, students, parents, leaders, and external stakeholders.
* Collaborative leadership style with the ability to motivate, guide, support, and inspire teams.
* Experience contributing to sustained school improvement in a British curriculum or international school environment.
* Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage leadership responsibilities, deadlines, documentation, and competing priorities.
* Commitment to the values, culture, and professional expectations of GEMS Education.
* A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police clearance is required for appointment.
Skills Set
* Primary school leadership
* School improvement
* British curriculum
* Teaching and learning
* Curriculum design
* Assessment leadership
* Student progress tracking
* Data-driven improvement
* Teacher coaching
* Staff mentoring
* Classroom practice
* Inclusion
* Safeguarding
* Student wellbeing
* Positive behaviour
* KHDA inspection readiness
* Primary phase leadership
* Senior Leadership Team support
* Curriculum planning
* Quality assurance
* Staff development
* Parent communication
* Stakeholder engagement
* Team leadership
* Professional development
* School culture
* GEMS Teaching and Learning Policy
* Teach Like a GEMS Educator
* Read Like a GEMS Educator
Why Join Us
This opportunity gives an Assistant Headteacher - Primary the chance to take a meaningful leadership step within Dubai’s Primary-Secondary Education sector while working in a BSO-accredited GEMS Education school. The role offers access to world-class professional development, leadership pathways, NQT, QTS, and iPGCE programme support through the TES Institute, and strong career progression across the global GEMS network. The package includes a tax-free salary, individual fully furnished accommodation, free schooling for children, private medical insurance, annual airfares to home country, End of Service Gratuity, and complimentary access to GEMS Rewards for savings on flights, hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, and everyday life in the UAE.
About the Company
GEMS Education is a leading education provider in the UAE with a strong network of international schools across Dubai and the wider region. Through its Founders schools, GEMS Education delivers accessible British curriculum education supported by strong safeguarding standards, professional development, inclusive learning communities, and a commitment to high academic achievement. The organisation helps teachers and school leaders build meaningful careers while supporting students to grow, flourish, succeed, and prepare confidently for the future.
