Head of Middle School - September 2024

At GEMS Wellington International School, our vision is to ensure that all of our students are beacons of social responsibility, empowered by a co-constructed, pioneering and authentic learning experience. We are seeking an exceptional Head of Middle School who is willing to uphold our values of integrity, empathy and fortitude, to join our established team for September 2024.

We are a fully inclusive, high performing school, with a long history of success. This is evidenced through our performance in rigorous inspection and accreditation frameworks. Some specific examples include:

• Rated as ‘Outstanding’ for 14 consecutive years by the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB),
• Rated as ‘Outstanding’ by British Schools Overseas
• Holder of the coveted COBIS Patrons accreditation, with beacon status for Leadership.
• Recognition as a High Performance Learning (HPL) ‘World class School’

Through our personalised professional development programme, we ensure our teachers are at the forefront of global educational best practice and research. Our teachers have the opportunity to engage with a wide number of stakeholders and partners, such as the Schools Students and Teachers Network (SSAT) and the Best Practice Network (BPN). 

Our personalised and bespoke professional development program affirms our commitment to not just maintain high educational standards but to position our teachers at the cutting edge of global educational best practices and research. The dynamic world of education requires dynamic educators, and with us, you are empowered to be just that. Our collaboration with esteemed organizations such as the Schools Students and Teachers Network (SSAT), High Performance Learning (HPL), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and our Inquiry Driven Innovation partnership with Harvard Project Zero ensures that every teacher is equipped with world-class knowledge and pedagogy. With most of our leaders being promoted from within the GEMS network of schools, GEMS teachers are in a unique position to further progress their career as we continue our expansion within the UAE and around the world.

Key Responsibilities:

• Driving the improvement of the school through providing strategic leadership of the Middle School (Year 5 through to Year 9)
• Ensuring students in the Middle school are given every opportunity to succeed through outstanding pastoral care with student wellbeing at the forefront of initiatives and practice
• Working closely with leaders for Curriculum, Assessment and Learning & Teaching to ensure students within the Middle School are receiving the highest standard of education that will enable them to thrive and make accelerated progress
• Developing excellent professional relationships with colleagues, students and parents. Parental relationships and communication is a key part of the role, ensuring all parents are confident in the care and education provided for their child
• Working in collaboration with the Head of Lower School and the Head of Upper School to ensure consistency in the high quality practice and initiatives
• Ensuring effective performance management and line management of staff within the pastoral and wellbeing team, such as AHTs responsible for this area and the Heads of Year
• Sharing the responsibility for the management of the school and contributing to the consultative and decision-making processes.

Should you be interested in applying for the position then please forward the following documents for the attention of Matthew Forster, HR Manager - m.forster_wis@gemsedu.com:

• A letter, no longer than two sides of A4, (normal margins, size 11 font), that explains your experience and impact to date in relation to the advertised Head of Middle School role
• An up to date CV complete with responsibilities and experience to date.

The deadline for all applications is Friday 10th May, 9.00am UAE Standard Time.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews after the closing date of this job advertisement.

Interviews will be conducted by:

Mrs Maryssa O'Connor - Principal/CEO - Senior Vice-President Education, GEMS Education

Mr Andrew Jenkins - Associate Principal

Mrs Sarah Wright - Senior Vice Principal

All positions attract an excellent remuneration package including: Competitive tax-free salary, individual fully furnished accommodation, free schooling, private medical insurance, annual airfares to country of residence and end of Service Gratuity.

GEMS Teachers also have free access to our loyalty app GEMS rewards www.gemsrewards.com which provides significant savings on day-to-day life in the UAE. We offer thousands of discounts and 2 for 1 offers on everything from flights, hotels, restaurants and retail outlets, making your salary go further and enhancing the opportunity to save whilst working overseas.