Deputy Head / Head of Pre-Prep

This position is available only for FEMALE candidates.

(It should also be noted that due to Qatar labour laws candidates over the age of 55 cannot be considered)

An exceptional opportunity has arisen at Sherborne Qatar School to for Girls to lead and build on the wonderful work of Mrs Helen Fawcett, who is moving on. If you feel you have the energy, passion, resilience and values that we hold so dear - then we would love to hear from you! This is an exciting opportunity to lead one of Doha’s fastest growing and most sought-after British schools.

Sherborne Qatar School for Girls, which opened in 2020, is the daughter school of Sherborne, one of the UK’s oldest and most distinguished independent schools. Sherborne Qatar School for Girls is an open, happy and inclusive school which aims to provide an outstanding, British education in Qatar. The school is set up to provide a safe, caring and supportive environment for girls. We are an all-through school with pupils from Pre School to Year 13. Our school is the only British curriculum STEM school for girls in Qatar. STEM skills are embedded into every stage of the curriculum from the Early Years Foundation Stage to the secondary school year groups.

Job Purpose: 

The Deputy Head / Head of Pre-Prep (Pre School to Year 3) is a key member of the School’s Senior Leadership Team, which currently comprises the Headmistress, Deputy Head / Head of Pre-Prep, Deputy Head / Head of Juniors (Year 4 to Year 8), Deputy Head Academic (Year 9 to Year 13) and Deputy Head Pastoral (Year 9 to Year 13).

In the first place the Deputy Head / Head of Pre-Prep is responsible to the Headmistress for the School’s pastoral values, strategy and performance, and the academic programme for all pupils from Pre School to Year 3. The Deputy Head Pre-Prep will also be the direct line manager of the Heads of Year in Pre School to Year 3 and the Literacy and Numeracy Coordinators in this section.

The duties and responsibilities of this post are numerous and varied and therefore the holder has considerable scope for contributing to the strategic direction and continuing development of what will be a large, successful and forward-looking STEM School for Girls with a culture of high expectations.

Successful applicants must have:

• A certified UK teaching qualification, such as B.Ed, PGCE, PGDE or equivalent (PGCE/PGDE must be accompanied by a subject relevant Bachelor’s Degree).
• Exceptional subject knowledge, with extensive experience of the British curriculum.
• A desire to help build a thriving department in a girls’ school.
• A proven track record of providing outstanding teaching and learning to pupils from Pre School to Year 3.
• A willingness to take part in extra-curricular activities after school.
• Recent teaching experience in the UK.
• Experience leading teaching and learning and or leading groups of teachers in the Pre-Prep section of schools.
• At least 5 years teaching experience in the Pre-Prep Section of schools (in addition to the initial NQT/ ECT years). 

Desirable qualities:

• Previous management and leadership experience.
• Experience of teaching pupils with English as an Additional Language or English as a Second Language.
• Experience of integrating technology into primary teaching.
• Experience of (or a willingness to learn how to) integrating STEM Education into the KS1 and 2 Curriculum.
• Previous international teaching experience.
• A further Masters or National Professional qualification.
• A proven track record of school improvement over a sustained period of time. 

Our Deputy Head will;

• Promote our mission and values.
• Have the ability to generate amongst the pupils, an excitement about learning.
• Have a sense of humour and be a team player.
• Be resilient, flexible and open minded.   
• Be committed to helping us grow and develop a productive, effective, happy school.
• Be happy to take part in and contribute to an all through school with pupils aged 3 to 18.           
• Be emotionally intelligent.

In return we can offer you:

• The opportunity to teach bright, well – motivated, hardworking pupils.
• The opportunity to be part of a supportive, forward thinking, all female staff team.
•  An excellent working environment.
• The opportunity to get involved in Extra Curricular Activities and the school’s Enrichment Programme.
• An attractive tax-free salary, accommodation, and additional benefits.
• A good work/life balance.
• CPD opportunities.
• Strong links to Sherborne Dorset, one of the oldest and most distinguished independent schools.

Further details on Sherborne Qatar School for Girls and information on living in Qatar can be found in the Candidate Brief and you can read more in the job description here. You are encouraged to read them in full. 

HOW TO APPLY:

A letter of application addressed to the Headmistress should describe how you meet the criteria above and please expand on your interest and experience in STEM and single sex education. The letter should be uploaded along with a completed TES application form.

The closing date is Monday 20th February at 9:00am UK / 12 noon Qatar time and interview will take place as soon as possible. We reserve the right to make an early appointment. Candidates are encouraged to apply early to secure their role.

The successful candidate will also be invited to assist with the recruitment of teaching staff towards the end of February / early March (if you are available).

Applicants will be required to demonstrate their commitment to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people in line with Sherborne Qatar’s policies and procedures. The school will request references before interview.

The post is subject to enhanced DBS checks. 

Please note that we only accept applications via TES and do not accept CVs.

Successful applicants will be required to travel to Qatar in mid-August 2023 for induction training.

For further information regarding Sherborne Qatar Schools for Girls, please click on “Learn more about this school” below and visit www.sherborneqatar.org.