Head of Secondary - (British Curriculum - GCSE Experience)

International Community Schools Full time

Head of Secondary - (British Curriculum - GCSE Experience)

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Posted on 11/26/2025

Welcome to International Community Schools Abu Dhabi! At ICS, our unwavering commitment is to provide a stimulating and intellectually challenging environment that empowers our students to become innovative thinkers, creative problem solvers, and inspired learners, fully prepared to thrive in the 21st Century. Renowned for our outstanding, holistic education and the development of future leaders, we have earned an enviable reputation in the region for delivering high-quality private education to students from FS/KG to Year 13/Grade 12. We offer a diverse range of curriculum, including both the British and American programs, as well as the International Baccalaureate (IB), Advance Placement (AP), and Ministry of Education (MOE) programs, exceeding minimum expectations and covering a wide array of subjects.

Job Description

Head of Secondary - (British Curriculum - GCSE Experience)

Reports to: Principal
Location:Shakhbout City
Contract:Full-time

Job Purpose:

The Head of Secondary plays a key leadership role in the strategic and operational development of the secondary school (Key Stages 3 to 5). The post holder ensures high-quality learning experiences through effective curriculum design, rigorous assessment practices, and targeted support for student achievement. In addition, the Head of Secondary serves as Examinations Officer for all IGCSE and A-Level qualifications, oversees career and university guidance, and ensures the school maintains compliance with all exam boards' accreditation frameworks.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Leadership and Strategic Oversight

• Provide strategic leadership for the secondary section (Years 7-13), supporting the school's mission and values.
  
• Support the implementation of the whole-school improvement plan in alignment with the school's self-evaluation standards.
  
• Lead a culture of academic excellence, collaboration, and continuous professional growth.
  
• Ensure effective implementation and ongoing review of the Cambridge Lower Secondary, IGCSE, and International AS/A Level programmes.
  
• Guarantee curriculum coherence, progression, and alignment in standards across all subjects.
  
• Lead the integration of cross-curricular and skills-based learning approaches.
  
• Coordinate curriculum development to meet both international expectations and ADEK requirements.
  

3. Assessment & Examinations (Exams Officer)

• Lead and manage all internal and external assessments (e.g., Baseline, CAT4, GL assessments, IGCSEs, A-Levels).
  
• Oversee the scheduling, organisation, and secure administration of exams in compliance with our awarding body regulations.
  
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of student progress and results.
  
• Analyse assessment data to monitor trends and inform teaching strategies and interventions.
  
• Lead and coordinate mock exams, checkpoint assessments, and continuous assessments.
  
• Analyse assessment data to evaluate teaching effectiveness and inform intervention strategies.
  

4. Student Performance & Achievement

• Monitor and drive student progress across all subjects using performance benchmarks.
  
• Lead student performance reviews with academic teams, using data to set targets and inform planning.
  
• Oversee academic interventions for underperforming students and promote high expectations for all.
  
• Report regularly to the Principal on academic outcomes and trends.
  
• Develop and deliver a comprehensive careers and university guidance programme, tailored to both local and international pathways.
  
• Advise students on iGCSE and A Level subject choices, university applications (UCAS, Common App, etc.), and vocational options.
  
• Establish links with universities and external career service providers.
  
• Organise university fairs, application workshops, and career orientation sessions for students and parents.
  

6. Staff Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor, and manage Heads of Department, subject leaders, and pastoral coordinators in the secondary school.
  
• Coordinate staff professional development in line with whole school activity.
  
• Support new teacher induction and ensure all staff are familiar with curriculum requirements and expectations.
  
• Conduct lesson observations, performance reviews, and support continuous pedagogical improvement.
  

7. Student Welfare, Behaviour, and Pastoral Oversight

• Collaborate with pastoral teams to ensure a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.
  
• Promote positive behaviour for learning and support the consistent application of the school's behaviour policy.
  
• Champion student voice and leadership initiatives in line with the school's student-centred ethos.
  

Requirements

Skills & Attributes:

• Strong leadership, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
  
• Commitment to high academic standards and holistic student development.
  
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, staff, and parents.
  
• Adaptability to work in a multicultural and international school environment.