Assistant Headteacher - Primary - August 2026

• About us:
  
  

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 and by our world class IB results ranking in the Top 68 schools Globally and twice in the Top 3 in Dubai. These are matched by our A Level and GCSE results which place us in the top 10 schools in Dubai.

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 Programme. 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 run best-in-class mini-MBA programmes for our Year 10 to 13 students in conjunction with the Peter Jones Academy and Wharton Investors programme, to ensure their future success in business and entrepreneurship. We are technologically very innovative and have a world class AI and Robotics lab that offers unrivalled experiences in these fast changing areas. Additionally we run comprehensive AI programmes for students in all core subjects, as well as deepening other subjects 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. We are home to the Fortes Pro Sports Academy where international professional sports coaches work exclusively with our students to reach new heights of performance and to elevate our students to national and international titles.

Sunmarke School was judged by the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) as a ‘Very Good’ school in our 3rd year of operation and ‘Outstanding’ in our British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection in 2019.

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

About You

Due to an expansion of our primary leadership structure for August 2026, we are seeking an experienced, visionary and dynamic Assistant Headteacher – Primary. This is a pivotal leadership post for a large and diverse Primary phase within a premium British school. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker and an exceptional practitioner with deep expertise in:

Curriculum Design & Development

• Leading whole-school curriculum strategy, review cycles and redesign
• Ensuring curriculum coherence, progression and stretch across all phases
• Embedding innovation, interdisciplinary learning and 21st-century competencies
  
  

Measuring and Evidencing Impact

• Using assessment and data intelligently to evaluate curriculum effectiveness
• Leading teams to raise attainment and close achievement gaps
• Demonstrating measurable impact on teaching quality, learning outcomes and student experience
  
  

Pastoral Leadership & Safeguarding

• Overseeing high-quality pastoral provision and wellbeing programmes
• Ensuring robust safeguarding practice and culture across the Primary phase
• Working closely with pastoral, inclusion and safeguarding leads to support all students
  
  

You will work alongside the Head of Primary and the Primary Leadership Team to co-create and implement the strategic direction of the phase, shaping a learning environment where every child thrives. The role includes a teaching commitment.

If you think you have got what it takes for this role, then Sunmarke School may be just the challenge for you.

We Are Looking For An Assistant Headteacher Who

• Holds a bachelor’s degree in education with a PGCE or equivalent (NPQSL is desirable).
• Has 3–5 years’ middle leadership experience, ideally with experience in the UAE.
• Has a proven record of designing, implementing and evaluating curriculum that raises standards and improves student outcomes.
• Is an innovative practitioner who can drive pedagogical development and inspire excellence through coaching and mentoring.
• Is confident in leading change, building strong teams and establishing effective systems.
• Demonstrates excellent communication, relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Shows unwavering commitment to student wellbeing, inclusion, and safeguarding.
• Thrives under pressure and models positivity, collaboration and professional integrity.
  
  

Our Offer

• Excellent tax-free salary
• Furnished Accommodation
• Relocation Allowance
• Medical Insurance for self, spouse & 2 dependents
• Annual Flights for self, spouse & 2 dependents
• Annual paid vacation
• An enthusiastic learning community of students, teachers, parents, and Board members, who are dedicated to maximising student achievement, and creating positive learning opportunities in and out of the classroom.
• Working within a team of highly driven and supportive colleagues
• Excellent professional development
• 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

• A copy of your curriculum vitae/résumé.?
• A cover letter, preferably of no more than two pages, addressed to Andrea Higgins, Head of Primary - Sunmarke School. The letter should outline the following:
• How has your previous leadership experience prepared you to lead curriculum design, innovation, pastoral excellence and safeguarding within a large Primary school?
• How would you ensure outstanding pastoral care and safeguarding provision across the Primary phase, while fostering a nurturing and ambitious culture for all learners?
  
  

Appointment Start?Date:? August 2026

Closing Date: ?????? Sunday, 28th December 2025 5 p.m. (UAE time)?

Successful candidates will be invited to participate in our Assessment Centre either in person or online on Tuesday, 6th January 2026.?

Safer Recruitment Statement

Fortes Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Policies for safer recruitment are aligned with the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection. At Sunmarke School, 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 and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to various background checks, including receipt of satisfactory references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification, and police checks, including overseas checks.

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