Deputy Head of University and Career Guidance - August 2025

About Sunmarke School – Where Amazing Happens

Sunmarke is an all–through school which offers a premium education across a fantastic range of pathways for students, including the National Curriculum of England, GCSE/IGCSE, ‘A’ Levels, BTEC and the IB Diploma Programmes.  The latest incredible IB results show that Sunmarke School is in the top 3 schools in Dubai and 69th in world rankings. Our suite of Signature Programmes is unrivalled in Dubai, with inspiring opportunities for students to experience transformative learning opportunities. These include Environmental and Sustainability Studies, where students learn in Forest School settings, as well as utilising cutting-edge hydroponic technology to examine how science can support sustainability in future terrains; a world-class STEAM centre and curriculum, which offers students an incredible opportunity to apply their learning in solving real-world problems, from Foundation Stage through to Year 9; Augmented and Virtual Reality AR/VR experiences alongside our cutting edge use of Artificial Intelligence for staff and students; outstanding performing arts opportunities with full black box and auditorium facilities alongside peripatetic music spaces and media suites; and a fantastic sports programme augmented with professional coaches, which led Sunmarke to be overall champions at the BSME Games. 

Sunmarke School has been judged by the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) as a ‘Very Good’ school since our third year of operation and is consistently judged ‘Outstanding’ by British Schools Overseas (BSO).

We present an exciting opportunity to join our all through school and to play an important part in our journey beyond “outstanding”. Sunmarke School, Dubai is one of our flagship schools, located at a prime location in Jumeirah Village Triangle. 

Job Purpose: The school's Career and University department is responsible for providing guidance and support to students in their post-secondary education and career planning. The Deputy Head of University and Career Guidance  is responsible to support the Head of University and Career Guidance to ensure the effective implementation of all policies and procedures which affect student readiness and placement into the university of their choice.

Reporting to: Head of University and Career Guidance

Key Responsibilities:

·        Assist the Head of University and Career Guidance in providing advice, guidance and support regarding applications to Sixth Form students, their tutors, and their families.

·        To be responsible for the arranging and scheduling of practice interviews for senior pupils.

·        Collaborate with the Head of University and Career Guidance to ensure that pupils have opportunity to experience work-related learning, work shadowing, or similar.

·        To support the department’s use of record keeping and destination tracking to improve effectiveness of advice and guidance.

·        To be present at and support daytime and evening careers activities, events and trips as required. e.g., practice interviews, UCAS exhibition, parent, and guardian information evenings.

·        Support the Head of Sixth Form in building an alumni network

·        Work with external organisations to establish, maintain and promote opportunities for pupils.

·        To remain current and competent with higher education and career information, advice and guidance.

·        To attend training and professional development opportunities as required for the post.

·        To support colleagues through advice at our sister school (RIS) who are developing their Sixth Form Programme

·        To lead on the programme of careers lessons for Years 7-10, ensuring this blends into the whole school programme for careers lessons. This will include designing and developing relevant learning resources.

·        To deliver weekly careers lessons to 6th form students when needed.

·        To deliver, in part or whole, careers lessons to entire year groups, smaller groups and individual classes.

·        Any other task or activity as reasonably requested by management.

·        Conforming to the Staff School’s Code of Conduct.

·        Adherence to the School’s safeguarding procedures

 Candidate specification:

·        A certified professional qualification at degree level, such as business, management, or psychology or equivalent specialism in Counselling

·        Candidates should have a minimum of 2-3 years of experience in a similar role, demonstrating ability to guide and support students effectively in their career paths. Experience in IB school is desirable.

·        The successful candidate will be a self-starter and be able to create and deploy effective systems in the assigned phases of the school. 

·        The candidate should have a keen attention to detail and excellent writing skills.

·        Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Candidates are invited to complete our Online Application by visiting:  http://forteseducation.com/Careers/Current-Openings 

We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of the advertisement, should we identify an appropriate candidate.

Application Closing Date: 31st March 2025

Appointment Start Date: August 2025

Fortes Education is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders in regulated activity are subject to appropriate vetting procedures including a satisfactory International Child Protection Certificate, plus resident country Police checks.