Head of Department (English) - January 2027

Due to the continued success and growth of GEMS Metropole School Al Waha, we are looking to recruit an ambitious and experienced Head of English to join our team in January 2027.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an inspirational English leader to take the next step in their career, gain valuable international experience and make a real impact within a world-class international school, backed by a leading global education company.

GEMS Metropole School Al Waha, Dubai is truly unique, and anyone who comes to work here has a wonderful opportunity to leave their mark. In line with our school vision, you will have the opportunity to be a valuable part of a sustainable and inclusive community, nurturing future leaders.

Our values of curiosity, confidence, creativity, respect and kindness form the foundations of our unique curriculum designed for the 21st century. The curriculum is complemented by outstanding facilities and resources that include a large forest with over 170 trees, a farm with animals and crops, a bio-cube tropical ecosystem home to our resident poisonous dart frog, unique BTEC offerings including an electronic and automotive engineering workshop, excellent performing arts facilities and state-of-the-art sporting facilities.

As Head of English, you will play a key role in leading and developing the English department, ensuring high standards of teaching and learning and supporting colleagues to achieve the best possible outcomes for our students. You will work collaboratively with the wider leadership team to contribute to the continued development of the school and its curriculum.

Teaching and leadership at GEMS is not just a job, it’s a career. Our teachers and leaders enjoy free access to leading CPD programmes and have the opportunity to grow with the company on a global scale. GEMS leaders are at the forefront of opportunities for growth and development, with many of our senior leaders progressing from within the GEMS network of schools.

Skills Description

Successful candidates will need to:

Embody and role model our core values of curiosity, confidence, creativity, respect and kindness.

Hold a BEd or Bachelor’s degree with PGCE / PGDE or equivalent.

Have a strong knowledge and understanding of the English curriculum, including GCSE and A-Level.

Have proven experience of teaching GCSE and A-Level English.

Have previous experience of leading a department or subject area, or demonstrate strong readiness to take on a Head of Department role.

Provide inspirational leadership and support to the English department, promoting a culture of collaboration, high expectations and continuous improvement.

Lead on curriculum development, ensuring the English curriculum is engaging, challenging, inclusive and aligned with the needs of our students.

Have a proven track record of delivering outstanding teaching and learning and achieving strong student outcomes.

Support and develop colleagues through coaching, mentoring, professional development and the sharing of exemplary teaching practices.

Use assessment and data effectively to monitor student progress and identify areas for development.

Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to work effectively with colleagues, students, parents and the wider school community.

Be creative, enthusiastic and committed to providing an exceptional educational experience both inside and outside the classroom.

Have a genuine passion for English and a commitment to fostering a love of reading, writing, language and literature among students.

Have the ambition to work in a world-class school with genuine opportunities for professional growth and career progression.

Be willing to make a positive contribution to our school community and culture through active engagement in our extra-curricular programme and community-based events.

All positions attract an excellent remuneration package including:

Competitive tax-free salary, individual fully furnished accommodation, free schooling, private medical insurance, annual airfares to country of residence and End of Service Gratuity.

GEMS teachers and leaders also have free access to our loyalty app, GEMS Rewards, which provides significant savings on day-to-day life in the UAE. We offer thousands of discounts and 2-for-1 offers on everything from flights, hotels and restaurants to retail outlets, helping your salary go further and enhancing the opportunity to save whilst working overseas.