Deputy Head of PrimaryNord Anglia International School, Abu Dhabi is seeking to appoint a passionate, inspirational, and forward-thinking Founding Deputy Head of Primary to join at a pivotal stage in the school's growth and development, commencing August 2025. The Founding Deputy Head of Primary will be part of the Core Leadership Team consisting of the Head of HR for Abu Dhabi, Head of Operations, Director of Admissions & Marketing, Head of Finance UAE and Head of IT UAE.The role will require the Deputy to ensure the highest standards of learning and achievement. Lead, inspire and guide the teaching staff, support staff and young people.About Nord AngliaAt Nord Anglia Education, our schools shape a generation of creative and resilient global citizens who leave our schools with everything they need for success - whatever they choose to be or do in life. When it comes to creating memorable learning experiences both within and beyond our classrooms, our family of more than 13,000 passionate staff are experts in their academic and commercial professions and play a vital role in the world-class experience our schools provide.We educate more than 74,000 children in 32 countries, our 84 schools in the Middle East, the Americas, Europe and Asia form our diverse global family, making us the largest provider of premium education in the world.About the SchoolNord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi (NAS Abu Dhabi) lies at the heart of the Emirate, on Al Reem Island. In August 2023, we opened the school's new, purpose-built campus to our first cohort of students and began to do what Nord Anglia does best: make every moment at school count. Our mission is to help our students prepare for their futures, think creatively outside the box, develop healthy resilience, global awareness, and be team players.Job PurposeYou will offer leadership, inspiration and guidance to both staff and students of the Primary School and ensure that all students achieve exceptional outcomes: academic, personal, and social. You will ensure the smooth day to day operations of the Primary School, and to work effectively as a key member of the School Leadership Team, playing a major role in strategic planning. You will offer inspirational and strategic leadership of the Primary School, where integrity, inclusivity, care, and respect lie at its core.As a genuine team-player, you'll work not only with the rest of the Nord Anglia Abu Dhabi Primary team, but across also with our regional and central teams to ensure that the highest quality lessons are taught and to ensure that everything we do is connected to our vision to create a generation of resilient and creative global citizens who will change our world for the better.Engagement and Interaction - School Ambassador to Internal CommunityIn fulfilling the requirements of the post, the Deputy Head of Primary will demonstrate essential professional characteristics, and in particular will:
Lead the primary school on a day-to-day basis
Inspire trust and confidence in students, colleagues, and parents as a model practitioner
Share our philosophy and embed the Nord Anglia collaborations (STEAM, Global Campus, UNICEF and Juilliard) into the heart of the Primary School curriculum
Manage staff, resources, and facilities strategically to ensure the very highest outcomes are achieved by our students
Staff
Support the Head of Primary in key development issues and act as a bridge between staff and the Leadership Team
Lead with care and empathy to maintain a culture where every member of NAS Abu Dhabi feels valued and respected
Promote and maintain a highly motivated team which is continually seeking to improve
To lead the Performance Management process across the primary school KS1 and KS2 and ensure every teacher and teaching assistant has a personal learning growth plan
Provide regular and constructive feedback to all Primary Teachers and Phase Leaders
Hold regular meetings with Subject Leaders and specialist leads to help improve teaching and learning and to ensure collaboration and consistency
To assist in the recruitment of Primary staff and to participate in the decision-making process of contract renewal
To provide an effective induction for all new Primary staff
Promote and run regular CPD, including through Nord Anglia University, sharing best practise supplemented by outside CPD that has an impact
Work with the Head of Primary to align school development, CPD and Performance Management in line with the school development plan
Learning and Teaching
Monitor and improve standards of teaching and learning across the Primary school through a variety of methods in line with our Performance Management Cycle
Provide visionary leadership for outstanding learning
Embed the Nord Anglia collaborations (STEAM, Global Campus, UNICEF and Juilliard) into the heart of the Primary School curriculum
Oversee the management of student leadership and well-being in the Primary School
To ensure children have excellent opportunities outside of the classroom (residentials, outdoor learning, service projects and trips)
Ensure smooth Transitions from EYFS to Year 1 and Year 5 to Secondary
Oversee the production, writing and sending of reports
Review and revise report proformas to ensure continued fit for purpose
Manage the organisation, format and content of Parent-Teacher Consultations
Curriculum, Attainment, and Acheivement
Oversee the process of the setting of academic targets for Primary students
Manage the analysis and evaluation of academic and social progress, using data as relevant to the Primary school
Identify and take appropriate action on issues arising from data, systems and reports, setting deadlines where necessary and reviewing progress on the action taken
Lead the celebration of personal and academic success (through regular assemblies, social media promotion and school rewards system)
Champion the school House system to highlight a sense of belonging, to improve collaboration, promote healthy competition and reward children
Support in the Quality Assurance document requirements for the Central Team
Administration / Development
Expected to take responsibility in the absence of the Head of Primary
Work with the Head of Primary and PLT to formulate strategic direction in line with the vision for the whole school
Play an active role in the creation and review of the School Development plan
Publish and implement an appropriate timetable focused on the delivery of a balanced curriculum and maximising staffing needs
Work with the Head of Primary to prepare and manage the Primary School budget
Oversee the annual ordering of resources within a set Primary budget
To work closely with the Admissions team on the school experience journey to assess and interview potential new students
To ensure all materials relating to the Primary School published to parents and pupils are of a good quality, in line with the Nord Anglia brand.
Take on responsibility for WAAG and distribution
Produce weekly staff absence cover plan for Primary school
Professional and Personal Development
Contribute positively to the morale and community spirit in the school
Work effectively in different teams
Assist in whole school marketing initiatives and contribute to the growth of the school
Always operate within the stated policies and practices of the school
Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of good practice in teaching techniques
Continual development through the identification and implementation of own Personal Development Plan
Development Plan to include:
Continually striving to improve performance
Setting and working towards targets with your line manager inked to the school development plan
Participating in learning walks and observations and coaching as appropriate.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONSQualifications / Training
Qualified to degree level or above - Essential
Qualified Teacher status - Essential
Evidence of senior leader training / qualifications (MLP, SLP or NPQH) - Desirable
Experience
Proven track record with at least five years' teaching and leadership experience -Essential
Experience of working with EAL students - Essential
Demonstrable evidence of innovating and adapting Curriculum - Essential
Experience of delivering a UK style EYFS/Primary Curriculum - Essential
Experience of working in partnership with parents - Essential
An effective communicator with parents, staff, and students - Essential
Experience of being part of a highly successful department and school - Essential
Experience of managing budgets effectively - Essential
International Experience - Desirable
Proven leadership and performance management - Essential
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint for producing reports and presentations - Essential
Good cross-cultural, interpersonal and communication skills to interact with diverse nationalities and cultures - Essential
Excellent analytical skills - with the passion and drive to demonstrate and quantify success - Essential
Results orientated with the ability to consistently map efforts against identified KPIs - Essential
Excellent time management skills and flexibility in dealing with multi-functional tasks - Essential
Selection ProcessApplicants should submit a CV, letter of application and the details of two professional referees, one of which should be your current Line Manager. Interviews will take place in school or online via Microsoft Teams.SafeguardingAt Nord Anglia Education we are committed to providing a world class, safe, happy environment in which children and young people are able to thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils irrespective of race, ability, religion, gender or culture.