Assistant Headteacher – Secondary - Head of Sixth Form - Sunmarke School - August 2025

Assistant Headteacher – Secondary - Head of Sixth Form - Sunmarke School - August 2025

Fortes Education has been a leading education provider in the UAE for over four decades with premium international schools and nurseries that have experienced outstanding success and growth. Our schools offer the most innovative and character-building education in the entire Middle East region.

Our core ethos and philosophy of education is Positive Education (PosEd). Through PosEd, our schools foster active engagement in learning, celebrating character strengths and accomplishments. We encourage children to cultivate fulfilling relationships with others and seek meaning and purpose in their own lives. We enable children to become happy learners and develop into innovative thinkers, confident young adults, and life-long learners. Our students develop resilience, a growth mindset and deep character strengths that allow them to flourish in an ever-changing world.

About Sunmarke School - Where Amazing Happens

Sunmarke School provides an ambitious and inspiring, values-based education that nurtures the hearts and minds of students so that they can flourish and achieve their dreams. Powered by our unique signature programmes, Sunmarke is a uniquely innovative school, transforming young lives. This was reflected in Sunmarke School winning the coveted Most Innovative School award at the Which School Advisor ceremony in Dubai and London.

Sunmarke is an all-through school which offers a premium education across a fantastic range of pathways for students including the National Curriculum of England, GCSE/IGCSE, A Levels, BTEC and the IB Diploma and Programmes. We also offer a suite of Signature Programmes unrivalled in Dubai. With unique experiences in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, students learn in Forest School settings, as well as utilising cutting-edge hydroponic technology to examine how science can support sustainability in future terrains. Our world-class STEAM centre and curriculum offers students an incredible opportunity to apply their learning in solving real-world problems, from Foundation Stage through to Year 9. We are technologically innovative and incorporate AI into learning in all subjects, as well as deepening learning through Augmented and Virtual Reality AR/VR experiences. We have outstanding performing arts opportunities with fantastic facilities and amazing teachers to help our more creative students truly find their voice. Sunmarke School has been judged by the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) as a Very Good school since our third year of operation and is consistently judged Outstanding by British Schools Overseas (BSO).

We present an exciting opportunity to join our all-through school and to play an important part in our journey beyond outstanding. Sunmarke School, Dubai is one of our flagship schools, located at a prime location in Jumeirah Village Triangle.

About you:

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding, enthusiastic & experienced school leader who will be responsible for the day-to-day running of our outstanding sixth form provision from August 2025. This is a unique opportunity to join a leading international school as part of the Secondary Senior Leadership Team. As a key member of the team, you will play a major role in supporting the operation of the school as well as deciding on future academic direction.

The Assistant Headteacher Secondary - Head of Sixth Form is a pivotal position which helps to set the academic and pastoral tone of the school. The ability and willingness to think creatively and generate enthusiasm in the Sixth Form will be crucial. The Head of Sixth Form will be responsible for the overall welfare, discipline and administration of all pupils in the Sixth Form, including taking a leading and active role in embedding a kind and aspirational culture, which promotes the wellbeing, and supports the engagement and development, of all pupils. The Head of Sixth Form will need to relate well to and communicate effectively with parents, staff and pupils, in supporting the Head of Secondary in providing a clear vision and direction for the development of the school. This vision will ensure that the Sunmarke Sixth Form establishes itself as a centre of excellence that is attractive to future learners across the UAE.

The successful candidate will have innovative ideas for developing the character and employability skills of young people, as well as a proven commitment to the highest academic standards and inspirational teaching and student well-being. They should also be willing to contribute to the school's varied and rewarding co-curricular programme. The role will involve liaising and working with several key stakeholders across the Secondary School with regular contact and communication with parents. There is a minimal teaching commitment to perform the Head of Sixth Form duties, which will be confirmed once the timetable is completed. Please clearly state which subject(s) you are able to teach, and to what level. If you think you have got what it takes for this role, then Sunmarke School may be just the challenge for you.

• The Assistant Headteacher should hold as a minimum, a bachelor's degree in education or subject specialism with a PGCE or equivalent. Tertiary qualifications such as NPQSL is desirable but not essential.
• A minimum of 3-5 years leadership experience with a minimum of 2 years of experience working in the UAE.
• A proven track record of school improvement; improving teaching and raising standards in a demanding environment.
• A commitment to deliver on the educational vision for the school and work along with the Head of Secondary & the Secondary Leadership team to shape the school's strategic direction in leading the school on its journey to outstanding.
• A creative practitioner and a highly effective leader who leads by example and can inspire and motivate & develop excellence in others through coaching and mentoring.

Build and develop highly effective teams, organisational structures and academic processes with an ability to delegate work and support colleagues in undertaking their responsibilities.

• Ability to build and maintain outstanding relationships.
• Ability to remain positive and enthusiastic when working under pressure.
• Ability to organise work, prioritise tasks, make decisions and manage time effectively.

Our Offer:

Excellent tax-free salary

Furnished Accommodation

Medical Insurance for self, spouse & 2 dependents

Annual paid vacation

An enthusiastic learning community of students, teachers, parents, and Board members, who are dedicated to maximise student achievement, and creating positive learning opportunities in and out of the classroom.

Working within a team of highly driven and supportive colleagues

Working in Dubai, one of the world's most sought-after work and travel destinations

Application Process:

If you have the passion, energy, and commitment to drive accelerated outcomes for young people, we will welcome your application. In return, you will join a rapidly evolving organisation that can offer you a central role in our future growth plans.

Interested candidates are invited to complete our Online Application by visiting: http://forteseducation.com/Careers/Current-Openings

Please follow the instructions provided to complete and submit your application.

You should submit:

1. A copy of your curriculum vitae/resume.

2. A cover letter, preferably of no more than two pages, addressed to Tariq Bell, Head of Secondary Sunmarke School. The letter should outline the following:

• How has your previous experience prepared you for the post in question?
• How would you help deliver outstanding wellbeing and academic outcomes in the Post-16 Phase at Sunmarke School?
• What will your success criteria be at the end of your first year in post?

Appointment Start Date: August 2025

Closing Date: Sunday, 24th November 2024, 6 p.m. (UAE time)

Successful candidates will be invited to participate in our Assessment Centre either in person or online on Wednesday, 4th December 2024.

Fortes Education is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders in regulated activity are subject to appropriate vetting procedures including a satisfactory International Child Protection Certificate, plus resident country Police checks.