Head of Secondary (American Curriculum) - Aldar Education - January 2024

Aldar Education are currently seeking an inspirational school leader for the position of Head of Secondary within the UAE, commencing January 2024 or sooner by appointment.

Aldar Education are the leading education group in Abu Dhabi, we provide inclusive and innovative learning that inspires and empowers communities, Aldar Education aims to be your employer of choice. We educate over 33,000 students across our group of owned and managed schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Northern Emirates. As we grow so does our need for highly skilled, inspirational, and dedicated school leaders and employees across the group.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Management of the team

• To work with and support the Assistant Principal in creating a culture of resilience and responsibility towards the students’ personal development
• To lead and manage a team of form tutors, monitoring, developing and assessing their roles, and supporting their professional development
• To lead the development and monitoring of academy policies within the Year Group e.g. Homework, Behaviour, Attendance
• To lead and manage Year Team meetings, distributing agendas and minutes as per academy policy
• To work with form tutors to deliver pastoral programme of topics within the year team; to monitor the teaching and learning and impact of the programme
• To lead on areas of the Year Team, such as students leadership etc., as discussed with the Assistant Principal
• To provide induction and training for any form tutors new to the team
• To develop proactively your Year’s high standards of learning, attitude, uniform, attendance, well-being, punctuality, citizenship and responsibility
• To oversee Parent Teacher Consultations for the Year Group provision with the aim of generating the highest attendance
• To take an active role in organising Awards Assemblies for the Year group
• To attend Pastoral meetings

Student progress

• To monitor and review throughout the year the academic progress of the Year group, and of individual students; to support form tutors and heads of department in establishing intervention strategies
• To liaise with the Senior Leadership Team on matters of student progress – to include academic, personal and social wellbeing issues
• Monitor attendance and punctuality within your year team and take steps to improve both in line with academy targets
• To undertake Quality Assurance of the reporting processes used with the Year group

Student Guidance and Support

• To set a positive tone of high expectation in your cohort, encouraging increased involvement in the extra-curricular opportunities available, including the intervention sessions
• To develop further our partnership with parents in any way required
• To build relationships with parents and members of the community to bring them into the role of active partners in the quality of learning and development
• To promote community cohesion within the year group and the wider community
• To promote Student Voice within your year team • To lead year assemblies and to develop models of assembly within the year team
• To be vigilant with regard to safeguarding and child protection issues, and lead good practice within the team
• Organise detentions and meetings with parents/careers as required. Support learning mentors and teachers in behaviour management
• To lead and manage all aspects of the Year group

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in the related subject with PGCE or other teacher qualification.

Minimum Experience 

• A minimum of 6 years’ experience in education
• Previous experience working with students whom English is not their first language

Job Specific Knowledge & Skill

• Passion for teaching and commitment to educating the whole child
• A high level of professionalism and consideration of the well-being of children
• Recent and consistent involvement in extracurricular activities
• Respect for all members of a school community, irrespective of position, age and ethnic background
• A positive and solution-focused attitude to working life
• A clean enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check or police check

What We Offer

Aldar Academies are a family of world-class, child centered, and innovative schools based in the UAE. We educate over 33,000 students across our group of owned and managed schools and as we grow so does our need for highly skilled, inspirational, and dedicated school leaders. We offer an attractive remuneration package including non-monetary benefits. Our future-focused learning model includes both students and staff and so we place a special emphasis on professional development, coaching and training.

Successful candidates will have access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to both lead and contribute to training others as well as developing themselves.

This job description is not all inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are also mindful of our national development strategy and encourage UAE Nationals in their application at our company.

Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.