Assistant Headteacher - Student Development

Summary:

Assistant Headteacher - Student Development to lead student wellbeing and academic progress at a school.

About the School:

A school committed to providing a well-rounded British education in an international setting, fostering emotional, behavioural, and social wellbeing alongside academic excellence.

The Opportunity:

As an Assistant Headteacher - Student Development, you will provide strategic leadership and accountability for student development across Years 7 to 11, ensuring every learner is known, safe, motivated and ready to achieve. This role is central to shaping a positive school culture, behaviour, and personal development strategy that supports student success and wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a strategic student development plan aligned with the school's values and improvement priorities.
• Oversee the implementation of behaviour, wellbeing, and inclusion systems that support academic success and character development.
• Coordinate and quality assure student support plans, ensuring they focus on measurable academic gains.
• Chair the Secondary Wellbeing Committee and lead a measurable whole-school wellbeing strategy aligned with KHDA’s Wellbeing Matters framework.
• Line manage Heads of Year 7–11 to ensure consistently excellent standards, strong pastoral and academic outcomes, and effective parental engagement.
• Work closely with the Deputy Heads of Secondary to deliver continuous improvement in academic progress, attendance, and personal development.
• Build and embed a challenging, coherent super curriculum alongside a strategically mapped ECA programme shaped by student voice and developmental needs.

Qualifications & Skills:

Required

• Proven line management of Heads of Year or equivalent teams.
• Expertise as DSL or Deputy DSL with high quality multiagency work.
• Strong data literacy and improvement planning with demonstrable outcomes.
• Track record in building super curriculum and ECA programmes informed by student voice.
• Ability to design and evaluate staff and student wellbeing strategies.
• Reflective, resilient, and able to inspire others toward outstanding standards.
• Student-centered, with a commitment to inclusive practices and high expectations for all students.

Preferred

• Experience in Dubai or international settings with DSIB/KHDA frameworks.
• Training in restorative and trauma informed approaches.
• Experience leading development of staff and students.
• Successful senior or whole school leadership in behaviour, culture and personal development, with a measurable impact in KS3–4.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Full health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous annual leave and professional development opportunities.