PYP Coordinator - Grades 1-5

An inspiring initiative by one of the most prominent UAE families Al Ghurair, Dar Al Marefa School is a top-ranked and widely recognized bilingual International Baccalaureate® school in Dubai.

Dar Al Marefa is an IB World School offering a bilingual education in English and Arabic. Our curriculum reflects our respect for local and regional cultures while preparing our students for an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Job Purpose:

• The PYP Coordinator is a key member of the Primary Leadership Team and is expected to work with the Head of Primary to realize the School’s Vision and Mission with a specific focus on the PYP Learning and Teaching Program within the school.
• The PYP Corodinatorr will take responsibility of all PYP students to include implementing, coordinating, leading and ensure effective curriculum planning, teaching, assessment, and recording.
• The PYP Coordinator will be expected to work with grade level and single subject teaching teams and the parent community, demonstrating outstanding communication skills.
• Support and monitor teachers to ensure that an inquiry approach to learning is delivered across theschool.

Key Accountabilities:

• Coordinate and assist teachers to plan, assess, record and evaluate learning and identify and address PYP professional development needs.
• Provide professional learning engagement input and feedback.
• To provide continued support to all teachers in the PYP curriculum through training, classroom observation, professional development days, departmental meetings, targeted sessions etc.
• Support the Grade Leaders for Grades 1-5 for collaborative planning across the Primary School.
• To lead the PYP section in the IB evaluation process through collaborative and shared responsibilities with PYP leadership team, MYP and IB Diploma Coordinator.
• To lead the PYP curriculum, teaching and learning and assessment in the DSIB inspection process through collaborative and shared responsibilities with MYP and DP Coordinator.
• To lead the PYP department in the support and the implementation of the teaching and learning vision and the self-improvement plan.
• To be an active part of the PLT and provide feedback about the progress and development of the PYP.
• To maintain communication between DMS, the relevant IB office and other PYP schools.
• To prepare and submit documentation required for Evaluation.
• To ensure information about the PYP is disseminated clearly and effectively to all members of the PYP.
• To deliver curriculum-related parent meetings and workshop opportunities in order to promote curriculum knowledge and understanding.
• To deliver information sessions for the community & publish articles pertaining to the program in the Newsletter.
• Collaborate with the Head of Primary, all PYP teachers have access to the IB Online Curriculum Centre (OCC).
• Attend coordination and development meetings with the MYP Coordinator and IB Diploma Coordinator to share best practice and ensure consistent implementation of the curriculum.
• In collaboration with the Head of Primary, PYP Arabic Leader, Grade and Subject Coordinators identify areas for professional development and plan internal and external workshops accordingly.
• To ensure that all PYP teachers have access to the reporting guidelines.
• To organize peer lesson observations and engage in team teaching opportunities that reflect our commitment to providing effective teaching, learning and assessment.
• To provide PYP teachers with relevant PYP curriculum documentation.
• To provide guidance for PYP teachers in understanding PYP scope and sequence documents.
• To ensure that staff understand how to effectively use a PYP unit planner.
• To ensure that Managebac is used to effectively support curriculum development and mapping.
• To ensure that curriculum documentation is up to date and ensure that all requirements of the PYP are met.
• To provide guidance for Data analysis & ensure tracking document for progress & attainment are updated and complete.
• To work closely with teachers to ensure PYP continuity and the effective implementation of the IB learner profile.
• To liaise with the Head of Primary regarding PYP curriculum issues.
• Submit annual improvement plans for the IB PYP program and oversee the review of the DMS PYP “program of inquiry” on an -yearly basis.

Documentation and Resource Management:

•  Assist the Head of Primary School in determining main curriculum resources and facility needs for professional development; and in placing resource orders.
• Ensure that teachers keep planning for the PYP up to date.
• To prepare and submit any documentation required for IB PYP evaluation.
• To collaborate in the preparation and submission of any documentation required in advance of KHDA/DSIB inspection.
• To ensure that all IB requirements and procedures in relation to PYP are observed.

Assessment and Reporting:

• To ensure assessment and reporting practices reflect DMS’ values, the attributes of the IB learner profile and IB requirements.
• To ensure that PYP teachers use a range and balance of assessment strategies, recording and reporting strategies, involve students, parents and colleagues in the assessment process, involve students in shared reflection during and at the end of each unit, enable students to see assessment as means of describing their learning etc.

Education Requirments:

• Degree in Primary Education or Early Childhood Studies
• Professional Teaching Qualification
• Higher Degree (e.g. master’s in education is an advantage)
• Recent participation in continuing professional development with focus PYP curriculum/context

Experience:

• Proven track record of outstanding teaching and learning preferably in an international school
• Previous Leadership experience in an Primary setting (grade leader, phase leader) preferably in a PYP context
• Proven experience in delivering differentiated learning.
• KHDA/DISB experience is desirable.

Must have skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the PYP program.
• Strong communication skills, attention to detail, inter-personal relationships, professionalism, high standards and expectations.
• Ability to analyze data and present findings.
• Be able to think strategically to establish procedures to maintain the strong ethos and behavior across PYP.
• Strong working relationships with students, parents and colleagues and lead teams to reach a shared goal.
• Understand the inherent value of all students and be able to inspire them to achieve and support them through the challenges they face, whilst maintaining the highest levels of behavior.

Competencies:

• Inter-culturally aware
• Committed to ensuring high standards and able to inspire and model best practice to colleagues, to accept responsibility, demonstrate fairness, firmness, consistency, and integrity.
• Innovative, highly motivated, resourceful, flexible, self-starter

Application Process:

To apply, please complete and submit your TES application form and upload an updated CV. Applications without CVs will not be considered.

All appointments are subject to interview, successful references and background checks, visa and work permit approval as per UAE Labor law and KHDA approval.