Assistant Principal - Pastoral Aldar Academies

Located on Saadiyat Island, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi is a leading British international school delivering an outstanding education inspired by the heritage and ethos of Cranleigh School in the UK. As part of Aldar Education, the school operates within a values-led, high-performance environment, delivering excellence across education, operations, and community life.

Whole School Responsibilities

Pastoral Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and develop a clear, cohesive whole-school pastoral strategy aligned to Cranleigh values
• Oversee the pastoral structures across all phases, ensuring consistency and impact
• Line manage DDSL s / pastoral leaders and provide strategic direction and support
• Lead the Director of Care, Guidance & Support to align wellbeing provision with pastoral systems
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of pastoral systems, using data to inform improvements
• Lead on behaviour, attendance and student conduct frameworks across the school

Safeguarding

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or oversee the safeguarding structure across the school
• Ensure full compliance with safeguarding legislation, ADEK requirements and best practice
• Lead safeguarding training for staff, students and parents
• Oversee safeguarding records, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and compliance
• Liaise with external agencies where required
• Promote a strong culture of safeguarding across the school community
• Ensure robust escalation procedures are followed in line with ADEK and UAE requirements
• Maintain oversight of CPOMS (or current system) ensuring consistency, quality and compliance of records
• Chair and oversee regular safeguarding review meetings
• Ensure safer recruitment practices are embedded across the school, including training and compliance checks
• Lead on policy development, review and implementation of all safeguarding and child protection policies

Wellbeing

• Oversee and support the implementation of the school s wellbeing strategy
• Lead the Wellbeing Team (Counsellors and Social Workers) to ensure high-quality provision
• Ensure early identification and intervention for student wellbeing concerns
• Support the development and implementation of individual student care plans
• Promote preventative, research-based approaches to student wellbeing
• Lead initiatives that support resilience, self-regulation and positive mental health

Student Experience & Culture

• Lead on creating a positive, inclusive and values-driven school culture
• Oversee student leadership structures and student voice initiatives
• Ensure effective delivery of tutor time, assemblies and PSHE / wellbeing programmes
• Support the organisation of events that enhance student experience, including charity and community initiatives
• Champion inclusion, equity and UAE national identity across the school

Parents & Community Engagement

• Build strong, effective relationships with parents and the wider community
• Support and lead on complex pastoral meetings with parents and students
• Communicate clearly and proactively regarding pastoral matters
• Work with external agencies and partners to support student needs

Staff Leadership & Development

• Support and develop staff in delivering high-quality pastoral care
• Provide training and guidance on safeguarding, behaviour and wellbeing
• Promote staff wellbeing and contribute to a positive working culture
• Contribute to whole-school professional development

Operational & Strategic Leadership

• Contribute to the wider Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and school strategy
• Lead ELT presentations as required
• Use data effectively to monitor behaviour, attendance, safeguarding and wellbeing trends
• Support inspection readiness (ADEK, wellbeing frameworks, safeguarding audits)
• Undertake a reduced teaching timetable where required to support the academic programme

Risk & Compliance

• Ensure the school remains fully compliant with ADEK, safeguarding and child protection regulations
• Monitor and mitigate pastoral and safeguarding risks across the school
• Prepare for and lead external inspections, audits and compliance reviews