Primary Headteacher

Job OverviewHarrow International School Dubai is seeking a dynamic founding Primary Headteacher to join in January 2026, or at a mutually agreeable time, ahead of opening in September 2026. This is a prestigious opportunity for a current or aspiring Primary Headteacher to join Harrow International School in Dubai. The founding Primary Headteacher will have significant input into the opening phase of this new school. The successful candidate will provide exceptional leadership and strategic direction to the Primary school, ensuring a nurturing, challenging, and inspiring learning environment in line with the values associated with Harrow's educational standards.

The Headteacher will oversee the academic, pastoral, and operational development of the Primary school, preparing students for continued excellence in education and life. Qualifications And ExperienceStrong academic credentials. Proven track record of successful leadership in international or high performing all through schools, ideally including founding or pioneering roles, with the ability to inspire and innovate. Strong understanding of curriculum development, current pedagogical trends, assessment and instructional best practices. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a diverse school community.

Experience building and leading high-performing academic teams with a commitment to continuous professional development and growth. Demonstrable success in achieving external accreditation within educational institutions or inspection bodies, within the UAE or internationally, such as ISI, BSO, Irtiqaa, DSIB and the KHDA. Desirable But Not EssentialInternational experienceNational Professional Qualification for HeadshipLeadership experience within a growing schoolLeadership and Personal QualitiesCharismatic leader who can inspire trust and engagement across the school community through a hands-on and pragmatic approach. Powerful media presence with exceptional public speaking skills to represent the schools at high-profile events and media engagements.

Committed to engaging and building trust with diverse communities while navigating cultural nuances. Adaptable and proactive, with the ability to make informed, timely decisions in a dynamic environment. High levels of emotional intelligence and self-awareness. Sense of humility with a desire and will to develop personally and professionally. Harrow International Schools - UAEHarrow Schools are a prestigious addition to Taaleem’s portfolio, representing the company’s expansion into the super-premium education sector and unlocking exciting opportunities for growth.

By diversifying its educational offerings, Taaleem continues to build on its strong foundation and provides an inspiring environment for professionals who are passionate about shaping the future of education. The Harrow Schools in the UAE will cater to a diverse pupil body, welcoming both boys and girls across mixed year groups. The curriculum will adhere to the UK educational model while fully integrating the UAE’s statutory requirements, ensuring a rich and globally relevant learning experience. A particular emphasis will be placed on connecting pupils with Emirati and UAE culture, embedding opportunities for meaningful engagement with local traditions.

This focus will be a key element across all phases of the curriculum, ensuring that pupils gain a deep understanding of their place within both a local and global context. At the Harrow Schools in the UAE, we will have the highest of expectations for all pupils, supported by a comprehensive pastoral care system designed to promote pupil wellbeing. The schools will strive to build strong, supportive relationships amongst staff, pupils, and families. The leadership will foster an environment that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity, thereby preparing pupils to meet future global challenges.

Through a well- established House system, pupils will be provided with leadership opportunities that cultivate service, resilience, and a strong sense of community. THE APPLICATION PROCESSTo apply, candidates are required to submit their applications through TES. Applications to include an upto-date CV and a covering letter outlining their suitability against the Job Description. Candidates who best meet the requirements outlined in the job description will be shortlisted. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by our recruitment team regarding the next steps in the selection process.

Please visit our candidate brochure in the attached documents to find out more about Harrow International School Dubai. SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTIONTaaleem is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We hold ourselves to a high standard of effective practices in relation to child protection, and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment.

All successful applicants must be willing to undergo enhanced child protection screening appropriate to the post, including various background checks including, receipt of high-quality references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification and police checks, including overseas checks. No member of staff will be able to start until these checks are complete, and this process takes, on average, a month. It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Equality, diversity and inclusion are values that are important to us at Taaleem.

We believe in diversity of thought and actively welcome everyone regardless of their background to bring their valuable and relevant skills to our community. DATA PROTECTION AND CONFIDENTIALITYTaaleem places the highest priority on safeguarding personal data. Any information provided during the application process will be handled with the utmost care and in strict accordance with applicable data protection legislation. All data collected will be securely stored in Taaleem’s computerised database and shared only with individuals directly involved in the recruitment process.

Your information will be used solely for assessing your suitability for the role and will not be shared with third parties without your explicit consent.