Head of Department - KG

Aldar Academies is currently seeking a Head of Department - KG at Yas American Academy on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi starting AY2025/26.

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.

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.

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.

Strategic direction and development of the department:

• In consultation with SLT, develop and implement policies and practices for the year group which reflects the School's vision, aims, commitment to high standards of achievement, and effective teaching and learning.
• Establish, monitor and evaluate short, medium and long term plans for the year group.
• Use data effectively to identify students who are underachieving in department; create and implement plans of action to support those students.
• Analyse and interpret relevant school data, to inform policies and year group/school's SEF writing.
• Ensure that appropriate and relevant schemes of work are developed, in place, and regularly reviewed and evaluated for all courses. These must include suitable provision for SEN/POD, G&T, and EAL students.

Teaching and learning:

• Ensure curriculum coverage, continuity, and progression in FS year groups for all students including those of high ability and those with special educational needs.
• Establish clear policies and practices for assessing, recording, and reporting on student achievement.
• Set expectations for staff in relation to standards of achievement and the quality of teaching and learning and behavior.
• Observing lessons through drop ins, learning walks and formal observations.
• Evaluate the quality of teaching and learning of the FS year groups and use this to identify effective practice and areas for improvement; take action to further improve the quality of teaching and learning.
• Ensure the year groups are regularly contributing towards the school's curriculum, standards, and assessment practices.

Leading and managing staff:

• Participate in the Aldar Education performance management cycle. Performance manage year group team in accordance with established performance management policy.
• Establish clear expectations and constructive working relationships with year group staff, ensuring collaboration, support, accountability, and high professional standards.
• Hold regular staff meetings with minutes and agendas focused on improving standards relating to student achievement and teaching and learning.
• To identify development areas of staff and propose and deliver staff trainings as necessary.

Managing resources:

• Efficient and effective deployment of staff and resources.
• Maintain efficient and effective control of the year group's resources and CapEx budgets.
• Effectively use resources to create an effective and stimulating environment for teaching and learning.
• Ensure a safe working and learning environment in which risks are properly assessed and Health and Safety policy and regulations are observed at all times.

Other duties and responsibilities:

• Contribute to the school's ECA Programme by leading at least one after-school activity once a week for the academic year.
• Participate in year group meetings with other Phase Leaders and SLT, including preparation for and action from year group progress meetings and data analysis, liaising with families, feeding into and from meetings, supporting colleagues in developing their classroom practice, leading new initiatives to improve standards.
• To work collaboratively with other year group leaders to address all school related matters and ensure that all relevant operational structures, such as the master timetable supervision, roster, etc, are effectively implemented.
• Communicate effectively with parents/carers with regards to student's achievements and well-being using school systems/processes - PTMs.
• Take initiative of own and staff's professional development for successful execution of roles and responsibilities.
• Any other duties as assigned by SLT within the overall function, commensurate with the grading and level of responsibility of the post.