Middle School Lead - Yas American Academy (AY26/27)

Aldar Education are currently seeking an outstanding Middle School Lead at Yas American Academy commencing in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Yas American Academy opened in September 2016 providing high quality education to the Emirate. The children are taught the Massachusetts Common Core Curriculum - tailored to be meaningful to children attending the school, alongside the local curriculum of Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies. Facilities at the school are excellent and include a large astro-turf field, two swimming pools, well stocked library, a large multi-purpose sports hall, an auditorium and outdoor play areas. We provide a warm, friendly and supportive environment where students enjoy learning and achieving in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group.

The successful candidates will be closely aligned with our core values and ethos and possess a genuine understanding and appreciation of the values of the region.

Key Tasks

To lead and coordinate student wellbeing, behaviour, and academic progress in the Middle School through data-informed systems, ensuring strong outcomes, effective communication, and a positive student experience.

Roles and responsibilities include

• Teamwork and collaboration
  • To be an excellent communicator at all levels
  • Be committed to developing positive relationships with all members of the school community
  • Working alongside fellow teachers to plan engaging lessons that meet the requirements of the curriculum
  • Liaising with colleagues professionally and working flexibly
  • Working with parents to ensure the happiness and best academic outcomes for all children
  • Working cooperatively with curriculum support staff (where applicable) to support student development
  • Acting as a form tutor and supporting the pastoral needs of students.

Pastoral Care & Student Wellbeing:

• Act as the primary point of contact for parents regarding student progress and wellbeing
• Mediate and resolve conflicts between parents, teachers, and classroom issues
• Maintain proactive communication with parents (key dates, schedules, study guides, exams)
• Monitor and de-escalate parent–staff communication issues
• Provide student mentorship and maintain an open-door policy
• Track and analyse student behaviour data (ePraise) and report trends
• Ensure all incidents are accurately logged on CPOMS in line with policy
• Lead on policy enforcement (uniform, mobile phone use)
• Support and implement behaviour strategies with AP Pastoral
• Oversee attendance and punctuality monitoring and follow-up processes

Academic Coordination & Assessment Management:

• Manage assessment scheduling to avoid student overload

• Lead end-of-term exam coordination, including:

  o Creating the exam timetable

  o Managing rooms and logistics

• Oversee report card quality, including:

  o Reviewing comments for professionalism and accuracy

  o Ensuring all grades are entered on time

• Manage summative retests, including:

  o Scheduling after-school sessions

  o Verifying eligibility (medical/parent communication)

• Lead student intervention processes, including:

  o Identifying at-risk students

  o Running Student Success Team meetings

• Analyse assessment and standardized data to inform interventions
• Collaborate with AP Curriculum on differentiation strategies

Leadership & Culture Building:

• Support and mentor new or struggling teachers (classroom management & pedagogy)
• Oversee advisory programme and lead assemblies
• Coordinate events and extracurricular activities (trips, sports days, competitions)
• Promote student voice through meetings and surveys
• Ensure staff supervision and duty coverage
• Grade 8 graduation

Transitions & Onboarding:

• Lead the Grade 6 transition programme from Primary to Middle School
• Manage mid-year student onboarding, ensuring smooth academic and social integration