Assistant Principal (Whole School)

GEMS FirstPoint School – The Villa, Dubai
Contract Type: Education Administration (Highly Competitive)
Start Date: August 2026

GEMS FirstPoint School is seeking to appoint two exceptional school leaders to the role of Assistant Principal (Whole School), joining a high-performing executive team at a thriving, premium-tier British curriculum school rated Outstanding (BSO) and Very Good (KHDA). With over 2,000 pupils aged 2–18, FPS is a values-led community with an ambitious vision and a strong track record of innovation and outcomes.

These senior roles are central to the school’s ongoing improvement journey and our established Path to Outstanding framework. Successful applicants will demonstrate the strategic expertise and operational drive to lead improvement across all phases. The exact scope of responsibilities will be shaped around the skills and experience of the appointed candidates.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead whole-school improvement initiatives with measurable impact across all phases (EYFS to Post-16)


• Drive high standards in teaching, learning, pedagogy and curriculum design, aligned to research-informed and evidence-led practice


• Champion excellence in academic progress and attainment, ensuring consistent implementation of high-impact strategies across departments


• Support and challenge teaching staff and middle leaders through a structured cycle of monitoring, evaluation, and accountability


• Contribute to the strategic leadership and daily operations of the school as a member of the executive team


• Innovate in curriculum development and instructional approaches to meet the needs of diverse learners in a dynamic international context


• Lead staff professional learning and promote a culture of continuous improvement


• Lead the strategic development and implementation of whole-school assessment, feedback and reporting frameworks, ensuring alignment with curriculum intent, high standards, and evidence-informed practice


• Use assessment intelligently to inform teaching, intervention and improvement, securing consistency and impact across phases and subjects

These are rare opportunities to shape whole-school improvement in a well-established, high-performing school, working as part of an expert leadership team and delivering impact at scale. Applications are welcomed from ambitious, knowledgeable, and forward-thinking educators ready for senior executive responsibility. Early applications are encouraged and the school reserves the right to close this position should appropriate candidates be identified.

Skills

Essential Requirements

• Proven track record of leadership impact at scale in high-performing schools


• Expertise in curriculum leadership, pedagogical coaching, and raising attainment


• Strong understanding of effective whole-school monitoring, QA systems, and data-informed improvement


• Well-read, research-literate, and current in international education discourse


• Highly effective communicator with the presence and credibility to inspire and lead others


• Knowledge of or experience implementing Lemov’s Teach Like a Champion, Sherrington’s Walkthrus, and Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction would be a distinct advantage


• Experience of inspection, accreditation or external accountability frameworks is highly desirable