Head of Primary

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

South View School

United Arab Emirates

Job type:

Full Time, Fixed Term

Start date:

01 January 2026

Apply by:

31 December 2025

Job overview

Head of Primary

Ash Mount School (AMS), part of Interstar Advisory Services, is a new international school opening in August 2026.

Guided by our vision, Learn with Purpose, Live with Compassion, Lead with Courage, we are committed to building a community where innovation, inclusion, and compassion sit at the heart of every child’s journey.

We are seeking an outstanding Head of Primary (Pre-KG to Grade 5) to join our founding leadership team. This role offers the rare opportunity to shape the culture and direction of the Primary Years from the very beginning.

The successful candidate will be an inspiring leader who places children at the heart of decision-making, leads with courage, creates purposeful opportunities for learning, and lives with compassion when working with students, staff, and families. Crucially, the candidate must provide clear evidence of impact in raising standards, enhancing student wellbeing, and building strong, collaborative teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Translate the school’s vision into action by embedding Learn with Purpose, Live with Compassion, Lead with Courage across the Primary Years.
Lead the Primary division with strategic clarity, ensuring that learning is engaging, inquiry-driven, and connected to the real world.
Establish a culture of accountability where impact is measured through evidence of improved student learning, wellbeing, and staff professional growth.
Create a nurturing environment where student wellbeing is prioritised alongside academic success.
Empower and mentor staff, building a culture of professional growth, collaboration, and innovation.
Use data, research, and reflective practice to inform decision-making and provide measurable evidence of school improvement.
Strengthen partnerships with parents and the wider community, reflecting AMS’s values in all relationships.
Ensure curriculum design and delivery are aligned with international best practice, UAE requirements, and AMS’s commitment to inclusivity and excellence.
Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure seamless transition between phases and whole-school coherence.

Person Specification

Essential:

Bachelor’s degree in Education (Level 6) or equivalent with teaching qualification.
Qualified teacher status with a degree in education or a relevant field.
Significant leadership experience in a primary setting, with evidence of leading improvement in learning, wellbeing, and inclusion.
Demonstrated impact on outcomes through data, inspection results, or other measurable evidence.
Deep understanding of inquiry-based, student-centred pedagogies that encourage children to learn with purpose.
Ability to analyse data and use evidence to set clear goals and measure progress.
Proven ability to build and inspire teams, creating a positive and collaborative culture.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to live with compassion and act with cultural sensitivity.
Knowledge of UAE educational requirements (KHDA/MOE) and international best practice.
A track record of courageous leadership in times of challenge and change.

Desirable:

Leadership experience in an international school context.
Experience with frameworks that emphasise transdisciplinary learning, international mindedness, and holistic development (for example, IB).
Experience in school start-ups or transformational change.
Clear examples of initiatives where measurable impact on student achievement and wellbeing was sustained over time.
Familiarity with leading bilingual or multilingual learning contexts.

Safer Recruitment Statement:

Ash Mount School, part of Interstar Advisory Services, is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to KHDA approval and the issuance of an Appointment Notice. This includes rigorous due diligence checks: attested qualifications, two professional references (including from the current or most recent employer), international safeguarding and criminal checks covering the last five to ten years, and online reputation checks. Candidates moving from another Dubai private school must complete the KHDA Exit

Survey before appointment. In line with KHDA regulations, successful candidates will also complete mandatory induction training in safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, and inclusive education.

Application Process:

Applications should be submitted to careers@southview.ae. The start date will be determined by the availability of the successful candidate, though it is hoped to be Term 2 of the 2025–26 academic year. The application will remain open until the best candidate is appointed. Interviews will commence immediately as applications are received. If you are not contacted, you have not been shortlisted.

Suitable applications may be kept on file for future opportunities.

We thank all applicants for their interest in Ash Mount School.

Recruiter contact:

Email us

Call us

About South View School

South View School

PO Box 393304, Al Thamam, Remraam

Dubai

United Arab Emirates

+971 589 7904‬

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