Head of English - August 2026 Female Only

Downe House Riyadh is seeking a passionate, experienced, and committed Head of English to join our thriving school community from August 2026. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead and shape early childhood education within a world class school environment.

About Cognita: Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, 'Thrive in a rapidly evolving world'.

At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they're starting from. We protect what's special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger; ensuring they get an education that's, quite literally, world class.

About Downe House Riyadh: Opened in September 2022, Downe House Riyadh delivers a world class British curriculum in partnership with one of the UK's most celebrated girls only private schools. With over a century of excellence, Downe House UK consistently ranks among the country's top five all girls' schools.

Located in the prestigious Aqeeq neighbourhood in northern Riyadh, the school offers a British curriculum enriched with Downe House UK's tradition and expertise. The programme is carefully adapted for Saudi Arabia, ensuring girls achieve excellence in Arabic and Islamic Studies alongside core subjects.

The close partnership between the Riyadh and UK schools is evident in both philosophy and practice. At the heart of the Downe House ethos is the individual: every girl's strength, challenges, and interests are recognised, with bespoke pathways that foster confidence and success.

Downe House Riyadh offers:

• A first class British education leading to IGCSEs and A Levels
• Academic excellence in girls' education
• Exceptional pastoral care and opportunities for personal growth
• A wide range of co curricular activities

The school nurtures intellectual curiosity, creativity, and respect for others through strong pastoral systems, personalised tutoring, and a spotlight on every student.

School Structure:

• Pre Prep: Nursery to Year 2 (ages 2-7)
• Prep: Year 3 to Year 8 (ages 7-13)
• Senior: Year 9 to Year 13 (ages 13-18)

Boys and girls are admitted from Pre School to Year 4.

The state of the art campus features dedicated libraries, central atriums, science and design labs, art studios, a 450 seat theatre, music, dance, and drama facilities, IT labs, and both senior and learner swimming pools.

Job Overview: The Head of English will lead and manage the English Department, teaching English from Year 6 onwards and contributing to a rich and extensive extra curricular programme. The role focuses on delivering the English curriculum ensuring all students make excellent academic progress while developing a genuine enjoyment of English through engaging and challenging learning experiences.

The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of the department, maintaining high academic standards, and promoting a culture of excellence in teaching and learning.

Key Responsibilities: School Values and Ethos

• To actively promote our unique vision and the Downe House Potential through enthusiastic participation in all areas of school life.
• To share and support the School's commitment to provide an all round, outstanding education for all our pupils.
• To always set high expectations, which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils.
• To have the highest aspirations for our pupils' development and achievements, both in and out of the classroom.
• To offer excellent pastoral care for all pupils.

Curriculum

• To teach a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum and contribute to the preparation and writing of schemes of work, teaching materials, teaching programmes, methods of teaching and assessment.
• To facilitate and encourage high quality learning which provides children with the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
• To deliver well planned, engaging and creative lessons, ensuring that the needs of all children are met.
• To differentiate appropriately, using approaches that enable every pupil to access the learning and make excellent progress.
• To demonstrate excellent subject knowledge in all relevant areas.
• To set pupils challenging learning and developmental goals, and to draw upon varied strategies, resources and technologies to support pupils in achieving these goals.
• To follow school procedures for assessing, recording and reporting on children's achievements and to use this information effectively to convey progress in report writing and record keeping.
• To provide pupils with regular written and oral feedback and encourage them to reflect and respond to their feedback.
• To participate fully in the school's extra curricular and school activity programme.

Management

• Lead, manage, and support members of the English Department to ensure high standards of teaching and learning.
• Implement and uphold school policies and procedures.
• Create a safe, inclusive, and well managed learning environment.
• Effectively deploy teaching assistants and resources within the department.
• Foster strong home school partnerships and maintain positive relationships with parents.
• Contribute to whole school development and improvement initiatives.

Professional Standards

• To attend assemblies, departmental meetings, parents' evenings, school functions and other staff meetings.
• To attend professional development and staff training opportunities.
• To recognise the importance of being an exemplary role model to all children within the school.
• To maintain high standards or professional behaviour in accordance with the school ethos, including time keeping and personal presentation.
• To take personal responsibility for evaluating and reflecting upon your teaching in order to continually develop and improve your practice.
• To always maintain professional and productive relationships with colleagues.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• To comply with all safeguarding policies and procedures and ensure that any safeguarding concerns are reported in line with policy.
• To demonstrate a personal commitment to safeguarding and wellbeing.
• To engage fully in all safeguarding training as required.

Other

• To fulfil any reasonable additional responsibilities as requested by the Principal.
• To support cross site at our partner school King's College Riyadh as requested by the Principal.

Person Specifications (E is Essential and D is Desired)

• A Bachelor's Degree in English from a good university. (E)
• UK Post Graduate Certificate of Education (or equivalent). (E)
• Qualified Teacher Status. (E)
• A proven track record of high-quality English teaching as a qualified teacher for at least three years. (E)
• Excellent working knowledge of the UK National Curriculum. (E)
• Experience of teaching GCSE and 'A' level. (E)
• A strong academic background, stature and experience that will command the respect of pupils, parents, colleagues and the wider community. (E)
• An understanding of the demands of a UK independent day school environment. (D)
• A commitment to academic progress and the welfare and safeguarding of pupils. (E)
• Experience of curriculum development in English. (E)
• Knowledge and understanding of recent educational developments and best practice. (E)
• Experience working with children who have English as a Second Language is desirable. (D)

Personal Qualities

• Ability to stretch the pupils, whilst also ensuring the curriculum is accessible to all. (E)
• Ability to inspire children with a love of learning. (E)
• Ability to understand the needs, challenges and opportunities of an international school community. (E)
• Strong personal relations and team working skills. (E)
• Ability to use ICT to enhance learning. (E)
• Energy, charisma and dynamism with the vision and drive to create productive learning environments and excellent outcomes for all children. (E)
• Ability to work with and apply all school policies. (E)
• Rigorous can do attitude, positive team player with a sense of humour. (E)
• Be willing to work hard and with enthusiasm, avoiding a "nine-to-five" approach. (E)

Why Join Downe House Riyadh?

• Be part of a prestigious, globally connected school with a reputation for excellence.
• Work within a supportive and professional team that values collaboration and innovation.
• Gain experience in a dynamic international school setting while contributing to a meaningful short term project.

Our Offer: The successful candidate will benefit from an attractive tax free salary. In addition, there will be a significant commitment to supporting the development and career goals of the successful candidates.

Applications can be submitted via the TES online application form, only fully completed application will be processed. To support your application . click apply for full job details