Head of Primary - Dubai South

The Founders brand within GEMS Education is a distinctive and innovative approach to education in the United Arab Emirates. This initiative was fueled by a desire to provide high-quality education that blended the best of British educational practices with the rich and diverse cultural tapestry of the UAE.

At the heart of the Founders brand lies a powerful vision - to enable students to grow, flourish, and succeed together. This vision goes beyond academic excellence; it embodies the idea of holistic growth, nurturing not only the minds but also the hearts of students. It emphasises the value of collaborative success, where every member of the school community plays a role in helping each other to achieve their best.

GEMS Founders School - Dubai South (GFD) opened its doors in August 2024 with students enrolled in FS1 - Year 8.  In August 2025 we enrolled students in FS1 - Year 9 and doubled in size.  Nestled in Dubai South, the school sits across an impressive 250,000 square-foot campus and serves as an innovation and sustainability hub, committed to cutting edge research and sustainable practices.

We now seek a dynamic Head of Primary to join our senior leadership team alongside the Principal/CEO, Vice Principal and Head of Secondary for August 2026.

Key Responsibilities

• Be responsible for the strategic development of the Primary School.

• Be fully accountable for key aspects of the work of the Primary School, providing analytical comment on performance measured against a number of key performance indicators.

• Lead staff and students towards excellence and accomplishment.

• Sustain personal and professional commitment to children and their well-being.

• Embody the values, vision and ethos of GFD and assist the Principal/CEO and Vice Principal in formulating policy which will ensure high quality and successful outcomes.

• Support the Principal/CEO and Vice Principal in achieving the key strategic objectives through formulating and leading on specific aspects of the school improvement plan.

Skills

• Recognised teaching qualification (PGCE or equivalent).

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or relevant field; Master’s degree or National Professional Qualification in Education (NPQ) preferred.

• Minimum 10 years of teaching experience, including substantial experience in a Senior Leadership Team (SLT) role.

• Proven record of successful operational and academic leadership in a British curriculum school.

• Demonstrated experience managing large teams.

• An effective and dynamic leader with a proven track record in school improvement; moreover, possessing real gravitas and presence within a school community.

• Rigorous in promoting excellence and developing commitment to high academic standards, high expectations for pastoral care and opportunities for all.

• Able to demonstrate a comprehensive and confident knowledge of delivery at KS1 and KS2 and Phonics.

• Able to demonstrate genuine passion towards the wider co-curricular life of a school.