Head of Prep & Pre-Prep School (Gordonstoun)

School Vision and Context

Role Purpose

• Support the Principal in shaping and implementing the school's vision, mission and strategic direction.
• Provide professional leadership across Prep and Pre-Prep and secure high standards across Early Years and Primary education.
• Lead education operations, including financial management, manpower planning, timetabling and smooth day-to-day school operations.
• Ensure the school meets ADEK expectations, regulatory requirements and academic-plan commitments.

Strategic Leadership

• Provide purposeful leadership for Prep and Pre-Prep staff and students in partnership with school leaders, governors, staff and parents.
• Lead improvement priorities through strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, contributing to the School Development Plan.
• Ensure policies and practices reflect national, local, ADEK and school requirements.
• Promote collective responsibility, collaboration, high expectations and mutual support.
• Support inclusive education for students experiencing SEND and participate in relevant professional development opportunities.

All-Staff Contributions

• Comply with safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, and other school policies and procedures.
• Undertake a weekly service activity alongside pupils and participate in character and challenge activities.
• Participate in some evening, Friday afternoon, weekend and community activities as required.
• Support the school's reputation, community and agreed practices, and undertake other reasonable duties requested by the Principal.

Qualifications

• Recognised teaching qualification and degree required.
• Further leadership qualification such as NPQH or equivalent is desirable.

Experience

• Substantial senior school leadership experience covering academic standards, staff management and school operations required.
• Strong Early Years and/or Primary education experience across the FS1–Prep age range required.
• Experience with an ADEK or equivalent regulatory framework and inspection readiness required.
• Experience with strategic planning aligned to national vision frameworks such as UAE Vision 2031 required.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong strategic, academic and operational leadership, including curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment knowledge.
• Skills in SEND and inclusion provision, people leadership, coaching and performance management.
• Excellent stakeholder management with governors, staff, parents and the wider community.
• Commitment to UAE heritage and cultural values, alongside honesty, resilience, self-discipline, humility and care for others.