Deputy Head Of Secondary - Academics

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 suite of 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 international Which School Advisor ceremony in Dubai and London.

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 Programmes. Our students regularly win examination boards’ ‘best in world’, ‘best in Middle East’ and ‘best in country’ awards every year, across a diverse range of subjects. The latest incredible IB results show that Sunmarke School is in the top 3 schools in Dubai and 69th in world rankings. Our suite of Signature Programmes is unrivalled in Dubai, with inspiring opportunities for students to experience transformative learning opportunities. These include Environmental and Sustainability Studies, where students learn in Forest School settings, as well as utilising cutting-edge hydroponic technology to examine how science can support sustainability in future terrains; a world-class STEAM centre and curriculum, which offers students an incredible opportunity to apply their learning in solving real-world problems, from Foundation Stage through to Year 9; Augmented and Virtual Reality AR/VR experiences alongside our cutting edge use of Artificial Intelligence for staff and students; outstanding performing arts opportunities with full black box and auditorium facilities alongside peripatetic music spaces and media suites; and a fantastic sports programme augmented with professional coaches, which led Sunmarke to be overall champions at the BSME Games.

Sunmarke School has been judged by the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) as a ‘Very Good’ school since our third year of operation and is consistently judged ‘Outstanding’ by British Schools Overseas (BSO).

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

About You

Due to the expansion of our Secondary leadership structure from August 2026, Sunmarke School is seeking to appoint an experienced, committed and inspirational educational leader to the position of Deputy Head of Secondary – Academics.

This is a strategically critical senior leadership role responsible for securing exceptional academic standards across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. Working in close partnership with the Head of Secondary, the Deputy Head – Academics provides visionary and operational leadership of curriculum, teaching and learning, assessment, and academic standards across all pathways, including GCSE, A Level, BTEC and the IB Diploma Programme.

The successful candidate will lead the development and implementation of the Secondary Academic Improvement Plan, ensuring coherence, rigour and parity of esteem across academic and vocational routes. They will oversee curriculum design and pathway modelling, maintain robust quality assurance systems, and ensure full compliance with KHDA, BSO, IB and awarding body requirements. A key aspect of the role is the strategic use of assessment data to drive improvement, secure outstanding examination outcomes, and ensure strong student progression to leading global universities and post-16 destinations.

This role requires an outstanding instructional leader who can develop and coach Heads of Faculty and programme leaders, build leadership capacity and foster a culture of accountability, excellence and continuous improvement within a large and complex Secondary environment.

If you are a strategic, data-informed and forward-thinking leader ready to shape the next phase of academic excellence at Sunmarke School, we would be delighted to receive your application.

We Are Looking For Certain Qualities

• The Deputy Headteacher should hold as a minimum, bachelor’s degree in education with PGCE or equivalent. Tertiary qualifications such as NPQSL are desirable but not essential.
• Minimum 3–5 years’ senior leadership experience. Proven leadership experience with responsibility for teaching, learning and curriculum.
• Experience working in a large Secondary phase or multi-form entry school.
• Experience using data strategically to raise standards and improve pupil outcomes.
• Experience working in an international or high-performing school environment.
• A commitment to deliver on the educational vision for the school and work along with the Head of Secondary & the Secondary Leadership team to shape the school’s strategic direction in leading the school on its journey to outstanding.
• A creative & innovative practitioner and a highly effective leader who leads by example and can inspire and motivate & develop excellence in others?through coaching and mentoring
• Build and develop highly effective teams, organisational structures and academic processes with an ability to delegate work and support colleagues in undertaking their responsibilities.
• Ability to build and maintain outstanding relationships
• Ability to remain positive and enthusiastic when working under pressure
• Ability to organise work, prioritise tasks, make decisions and manage time effectively
  
  

Our Offer

• Excellent tax-free salary
• Furnished Accommodation
• Medical Insurance for self, spouse & 2 dependents
• Annual Flights for self, spouse & 2 dependents
• Tuition Fee Concession for up to 2 minor dependent(s)
• State-of-the-art facilities and amenities in a newly built campus in a prime location in Dubai
• An enthusiastic learning community of students, teachers, parents, and Board members, who are dedicated to maximise 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.

Candidates are invited to complete our Online Application by visiting: https://forteseducation.com/Careers/Current-Openings

Interviews will take place either face-to-face in Dubai or by video conferencing if the applicant is not based in Dubai.

Appointment Start Date: August 2026

Closing Date: Wednesday, 4th March 2026, 12 p.m. (UAE time)

Successful candidates will be invited to participate in our Assessment Centre either in person or online from Monday, 9th March to Tuesday, 10th March 2026. Please note that due to the expected volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

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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