Head of Secondary
Cognita Middle East
Employer Active
Posted on 13 Nov
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Nationality
Any Nationality
Gender
Not Mentioned
Vacancy
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Roles & Responsibilities
As Head of Secondary, you will be a founding senior leader responsible for building a thriving, happy, high-performing school from the ground up. Starting with Years 7 and 8, you will design and deliver a holistic, evidence informed curriculum that grows year on year to GCSE, A Level, BTEC and blended pathways.
You ll create an ambitious and joyful environment where every student flourishes, academically, socially, and personally, and where teachers are inspired to deliver their very best.
Key Responsibilities:
Holistic Education
- Design and lead a broad, inclusive curriculum aligned with Horizon s values and Primary foundations.
- Ensure adaptive, evidence informed teaching and meaningful assessment that drives progress.
Leadership
- Build a collaborative, high trust culture among staff, students, and families.
- Line manage and develop a dynamic team of Heads of Department and Secondary teachers.
- Play an active role in shaping system leadership across the Horizon and Cognita network.
Operational Excellence
- Establish efficient structures, routines and systems for the smooth running of the Secondary phase.
- Embed safeguarding, health & safety, and compliance in all areas.
- Use data intelligently to inform strategy and improve outcomes.
Growth
- Articulate a compelling vision for the Secondary school and engage the community in realising it.
- Lead enrolment, transition, and retention strategies to ensure sustainable growth.
- Strengthen Horizon s reputation as a beacon of happiness and high achievement across Dubai.
Applicants will be strategic and inspiring leaders with a proven track record in outstanding Secondary education. You will bring a deep understanding of evidence informed teaching and curriculum design, as well as experience in building strong teams and nurturing positive school culture.
Desired Candidate Profile
Applicants will be strategic and inspiring leaders with a proven track record in outstanding Secondary education. You will bring a deep understanding of evidence informed teaching and curriculum design, as well as experience in building strong teams and nurturing positive school culture.
Essential:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Significant senior leadership experience in a high-performing Secondary school
- Proven record of securing high academic achievement
- Expertise in inclusive, ambitious curriculum design
- Strong understanding of pedagogy, assessment and school improvement
Desirable:
- Experience founding or growing a new school
- Experience with KHDA inspections and UAE education priorities
- Further leadership qualification (e.g. NPQH, Master s)
- Experience leading admissions, enrolment and transition strategies
Applicants' should be adaptable, emotionally intelligent, and comfortable in a dynamic, evolving environment.
Keywords
- Head Of Secondary
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Cognita Middle East
About Cognita: Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, Thrive in a rapidly evolving world . At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they re starting from. We protect what s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger; ensuring they get an education that s, quite literally, world class. Horizon English School Town Square: Opening in September 2027, Horizon English School Town Square will bring over 35 years of educational excellence from our outstanding Jumeirah campus to the heart of Town Square Dubai. An all-through British curriculum school for ages 3-18, the new campus will launch with FS1 to Year 8, growing year by year to Year 13. The school will combine academic excellence, wellbeing, and community spirit in a purpose-built, state-of-the-art environment. As part of the Cognita global family, students will benefit from world-class opportunities in academics, sports, and the arts through Enrich ME, helping every child feel they belong, achieve, and thrive.