Head – Department G1 & G2 (Yas American Academy) AY2025/26

Aldar Academies is currently seeking a Head – Department G1 & G2 at Yas American Academy on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi commencing AY 2025/26

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.

This Middle Leader post will include wide-ranging leadership responsibilities across a large phase of the school alongside whole school priority areas to impact on raising standards in line with the school ethos: Everyone a Leader.

The specific phase of the school will be agreed with the successful candidate on appointment, however there is an expectation of excellent knowledge across all core areas; pastoral; curriculum; assessment; inclusion; teaching and learning, with a specific focus on appointing a candidate with outstanding values, leadership and people skills. This post will be attractive to existing Middle Leaders seeking a challenge in a fast paced, dynamic role with whole school responsibility.

Responsibilities

• To embody the values, vision and ethos of Yas American Academy and lead in delivering policy to ensure high quality and successful outcomes for all students.
• To lead in achieving the key strategic objectives for the school through developing highly motivated reflective, innovative practitioners.
• To lead on shaping a vision and direction for the phase, setting out very high expectations with a clear focus on standards, quality of teaching and pupil achievement.
• To place the school at the cutting edge of research, policy and practice in the transformation of learning and teaching.
• To lead the monitoring, evaluation and continuous review of the quality and effectiveness of the phase in relation to curriculum standards, teaching, learning environments, assessment, inclusive education and pastoral care.
• To ensure that new pedagogy and strategies are developed, shared and implemented across the phase.
• To inspire, motivate, empower and influence staff and students within the phase through the ethos: Everyone a Leader.
• To provide an excellent role model for all members of staff and for pupils in all aspects of school life.
• To play a significant role in implementing, reviewing and measuring impact of the whole School Development Plan and the School Evaluation Framework within the phase.
• To make a significant contribution to the school’s continuing professional development programme, delivering CPD and working with individuals and teams in a variety of professional development activities.
• To lead on effective recruitment within the phase and the wider primary school.
• To lead on an area of whole school responsibility and contribute to the wider strategic running of the primary school.
• To fulfil any additional responsibilities as deemed appropriate from the Senior Leadership Team.

 Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelor degree and/ or PGCE Education
• Experience in an international school is an advantage

Minimum Experience:

• At least 3 years teaching experience, including 3 consecutive years of performance exceeding standards and expectations as evidenced by performance appraisal.
• Wide experience and impact in a Middle Leadership role.
• Experience of leading school initiatives that have led to improvement in standards and achievement.
• Experience working with parents and external agencies.

Job specific knowledge and skills:

• A clear commitment to nurturing and promoting the school vision.
• Proven track record of displaying positive behaviours and values
• A dynamic solution-based approach to leadership.
• A commitment to maximising achievement through excellence in teaching and learning.
• An excellent track record as a classroom teacher and school leader.
• An excellent track record of implementing effective strategies to raise standards in learning.
• High standards and a highly effective communicator.
• Ability to implement and lead change and school development.
• Ability to lead large, diverse groups of people and stakeholders successfully.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure.
• A high level of professionalism and consideration of the well-being of all stakeholders.
• A positive and solution-focused attitude to working life
• Outstanding communication skills, approachable enabling trust and confidentiality.
• Respect for all members of a school community, irrespective of position, gender, age, and ethnic background.
• A clean enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check or police check.