Head of Prep - August 2026

The Royal Grammar School Guildford (RGS), one of Britain's most distinguished independent schools, in partnership with Cognita, the global leader in educational excellence, seeks an outstanding leader for our prestigious sister school, Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGS Guildford Dubai).

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a true 3-18 through school, where academic excellence, holistic education, and service to others are the foundation of all that we do.

At RGS Guildford Dubai, we champion kindness, kindness, kindness, alongside academic rigour, tradition, and innovation. As we prepare to celebrate our first graduates in 2029, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of scholars and leaders. With a passion for education, we seek a teacher who can inspire across disciplines, embodying both intellectual flair and a commitment to the British curriculum.

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Prep to help shape and deliver the next phase of our educational vision, leading our Primary School with purpose and ambition.

The successful candidate will guide the continued development of our thriving Primary School, ensuring every child benefits from a cohesive, engaging, and high-quality curriculum that supports excellent progress and strong outcomes. Working in close partnership with an experienced and talented leadership team, our new Head of Prep will build on strong foundations while driving improvement and innovation across all areas of Primary education.

We are looking for a collaborative, forward-thinking, and learning-centred leader who brings strategic clarity alongside a deep understanding of outstanding primary practice. The ideal candidate will have a proven record of successful leadership, ideally within a UAE school setting, and the ability to inspire teams, manage change effectively, and cultivate a culture of high expectations and professional growth.

Applicants will be strategic and inspiring leaders with a strong track record in delivering excellence in Primary education. You will bring a deep knowledge of evidence-informed teaching and curriculum design, together with experience in building effective teams and nurturing a positive, high-performing school culture.

Requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Significant senior leadership experience in a high-performing Primary school
• Proven record of securing high academic achievement
• Strong understanding of pedagogy, assessment and school improvement

Desirable

• Experience and proven record with KHDA inspections and UAE education priorities
• Further leadership qualification (e.g. NPQH, Master's)
• Experience leading admissions, enrolment and transition strategies

Applicants should be adaptable, emotionally intelligent, and comfortable in a dynamic, evolving environment.

Cognita is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 5 years.