Assistant Principal

Job description / Role

Employment: Full Time

Job Description

GEMS Wellington Academy, Al Khail are looking to hire an Assistant Principal - Director of Early Years to join our team in August 2025. You will be responsible for supporting the leadership and management of the Early Years department. This role involves ensuring high-quality teaching and learning experiences for young learners, managing staff, and fostering an environment which supports the personal and academic development of the children.

This position is a fantastic opportunity to make an impact in the growth and development of our Early Years Centre (Nursery, FS1 and FS2) at GEMS Wellington Academy, Al Khail. You will work as part of the Early Years and Primary Leadership Team to ensure the students at The Academy receive a world-class education.

The Assistant Principal will be accountable for providing professional leadership and management in the development of the Early Years Programme to secure high-quality teaching, effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all pupils. The emphasis of the role will be on working with the Early Years Team to establish a curriculum and culture for excellence. The Assistant Principal will also actively participate in whole school self-evaluation and school improvement planning and will be responsible, alongside the Head of Phase, for the management, coaching, mentoring and development of staff. The role also involves leadership cover across the Primary school.

About the Role:

Student Achievement:

- To track and monitor student achievement (progress and attainment) to ensure there is a clear and current picture across the Early Years.
- To work closely with students, parents and staff to help improve achievement across the Early Years.
- To liaise with SENCOs, Assistant Principals and Deputy Principal to contribute to the planning and organising of the work of the TAs in EYFS, in order to have a positive impact on pupil progress.
- To ensure parents and caregivers have a clear, current and accurate understanding of their child's achievement.
- To quality assure EYFS reports.
- To moderate and quality assure assessment practices across the FS department within the school and network.

Student Learning:

- To implement teaching, learning and assessment policies in the Foundation Stage which reflect The Academy's commitment to a world-class education.
- To provide for the pastoral, educational, social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of the children across the EYFS and be committed to a fully inclusive school.
- To manage and monitor the effective resourcing of the EYFS.
- To secure and sustain effective teaching and learning throughout the Early Years and evaluate the quality of teaching.
- To ensure schemes of work are developed appropriately and evaluate the impact on teaching and learning.
- To enthuse, lead, develop and enhance the teaching practices of others across the EYFS, through mentoring, coaching, evaluating, supporting, guiding and target setting.
- To work with and support subject coordinators and use their subject knowledge to enhance the quality of teaching and learning across the Foundation Stage.
- To organise and support special assemblies, performances, school trips and other events.
- To ensure an inclusive and supportive learning environment by assisting teachers in providing tailored support to children with additional needs (including emotional wellbeing, SEND and ELL).

School Culture and Behaviour:

- To track and monitor student behaviour both in and out of the classroom to ensure there is a clear and current picture across the Foundation Stage.
- To coordinate intervention strategies to improve behaviour and attitudes for learning across the Early Years.
- To work closely with teachers to promote behaviour and attitudes for learning within specific classes.
- To liaise with parents and caregivers to ensure they have a clear understanding of their child's behaviour and attitudes for learning in school, including organisation of Parent Teacher meetings.
- To lead and implement a system of awards and celebration across the EYFS to improve student well-being, happiness and fulfilment.
- To plan and oversee the quality assurance of extracurricular activities.

Student Attendance and Punctuality:

- To track and monitor student attendance and punctuality to ensure there is a clear, current and accurate picture across the EYFS.
- To lead and implement intervention strategies to improve student attendance and punctuality across the EYFS.
- To liaise with parents and caregivers to ensure they have a clear understanding of their child's attendance.

Organisational Management and School Improvement:

- To assist with the annual performance management of teachers and to deal with under-performance in consultation with PLT and Principal.
- To organise extended care services, including communication with parents regarding schedules and payment.
- To develop the School Improvement Plan for the Early Years.
- To lead the BSO (British Schools Overseas) and DSIB (Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau) inspections for Phase 1, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and facilitating a thorough and successful evaluation process.
- Direct line manager for the Head of Phase, and other middle leaders.

Professional Development:

- Implement The Academy's policy and procedures for staff performance management and review and to ensure that these are implemented rigorously and robustly for all staff in accordance with The Academy's PM cycle.
- Both deliver and undertake professional development within and outside of The Academy.
- To actively contribute and support the leading of the EYFS Networks both within GEMS and BSME.
- To provide regular communication with parents about what is happening across the Early Years setting.
- To lead regular EYFS staff meetings.
- Lead all aspects of staff induction.
- Keep up-to-date with developments in education.
- Seek training and continuing professional development to meet needs.

Safeguarding and Health and Safety:

- To be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children within the EYFS.
- To assist the Designated Safeguarding Lead in carrying out their responsibilities by providing support in managing safeguarding concerns, ensuring compliance with relevant policies, and maintaining accurate records.
- To ensure health and safety compliance within the department by overseeing risk assessments, implementing safety protocols, and ensuring all staff are trained and informed on health and safety procedures.

Transition and Admissions:

- To design, coordinate and promote various events for parents across the EYFS and the local community.
- To provide curriculum information for parents such as letters and booklets, in line with school policies.
- To lead and support parents' meetings, workshops and community events.
- To co-lead an effective programme for transition across year groups and into the Primary Phase.
- To lead and implement systems to ensure new students have a seamless start to their new school, including assessment of new students, and providing guidance and support to families throughout the admissions process.
- To support and lead the marketing of The Academy within the wider community, including collaboration with partner settings.

Skills

The successful applicant will have the following:

- A certified teaching qualification, at degree level such as B.Ed, PGCE, PGDE or equivalent. Open University or online degrees are not acceptable.
- At least 4 years of solid and demonstrable experience in teaching EYFS in a British curriculum school.
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to manage and motivate a team.
- Deep understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and child development.
- The desire to provide outstanding teaching and learning.
- Compassion and empathy towards young children's needs.
- Ability to assess and support children's learning and development.
- High standards of personal and professional integrity.
- Excellent IT and interpersonal communication skills to work closely with students and parents.
- A creative and enthusiastic approach both in and out of the classroom.

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.

About the Company

GEMS Education is a pioneering education company with an international network of award winning K-12 schools. Over the past 55 years GEMS has grown from one school to being a truly global company with one incredible mission – to make quality education available to every student. Over 20,000 education professionals unlock the potential of over 250,000 students across 14 countries each and every day, preparing children of all ages for real world success.

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