Assistant Headteacher - Pastoral - August 2027

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is seeking an inspirational and exceptional Assistant Headteacher - Pastoral - to join the founding team and become part of the legacy. 

Taaleem is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. 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 to share this commitment.

All successful applicants must be willing to undergo enhanced child protection screening appropriate to the post, including various background checks including, receipt of high-quality references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification and police checks, including overseas checks. No member of staff will be able to start until these checks are complete and this process takes, on average, a month. 

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is seeking exceptional educators to join the founding team and become part of its legacy.

The Assistant Head (Pastoral) will be a visible, trusted and inspiring leader. As a member of our founding leadership team, we are seeking someone who is willing to make a strong contribution to the school’s development. You will play a pivotal role in building a vibrant and inclusive community where the wellbeing and learning of every individual is at the heart of daily life. Guided by the Harrow values, our staff will create an environment in which every pupil is nurtured, challenged, and empowered to achieve their very best. Reporting to the Head of Junior School, the main role of the Assistant Head (Pastoral) will be to provide strategic and operational leadership of all aspects of pastoral care and wellbeing within the Junior School. The post-holder will ensure that every pupil is known, valued and supported to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically within a community that upholds Harrow’s values of Courage, Honour, Humility and Fellowship.

The Assistant Head (Pastoral), working alongside the rest of the Leadership Team, will be instrumental in ensuring that all Harrow teachers (Beaks) foster an environment in which every pupil feels safe, supported, and happy. The Assistant Head (Pastoral) will be a visible and trusted presence in the daily life of the School, modelling the Harrow values and ethos, supporting staff in their pastoral responsibilities, and working closely with pupils, parents, and the wider community to promote a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment.In addition to leading the pastoral provision, the post-holder will also assume oversight of a designated phase of the Junior School—either Early Years or Upper Years—allocated according to their experience and expertise.

Beyond the classroom, they will play an active role in the Harrow House system, contribute to the breadth of co-curricular opportunities, and enrich the wider life of the School. In doing so, they will uphold the traditions of Harrow while shaping an educational experience uniquely aligned with the aspirations of Harrow International School Abu Dhabi.

Key Responsibilities:

Pastoral Leadership and Strategy

• Lead the design and delivery of a proactive, values-driven pastoral strategy that supports the wellbeing and personal development of every pupil. 
• Work closely with the Head of Junior School and leadership team to embed a strong, consistent pastoral ethos throughout the school.
• Play a key role in developing and implementing initiatives that raise pastoral standards and wellbeing and enhance the learning experience across the Junior School.
  
• Oversee and support the work of House Masters/Mistresses, Homeroom and specialist teachers and other pastoral staff, ensuring that high standards of care and guidance are maintained.
  
• Be a visible and approachable presence within the school community, engaging with pupils, staff and parents in daily school life.

Safeguarding and Wellbeing

• Uphold the highest standards of safeguarding, child protection, and pupil welfare, maintaining unwavering compliance with Harrow Abu Dhabi policies, UAE regulations, and international best practice.
• Serve as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), supporting the Head of Junior School in ensuring robust safeguarding procedures are followed and that staff are confident in their responsibilities.
  
• Promote and lead initiatives that foster positive mental health and emotional wellbeing for pupils and staff.
  
• Use pastoral and wellbeing data (attendance, behaviour, engagement, safeguarding records, etc.) to analyse trends, evaluate the impact of interventions, and inform pastoral development planning.

Curriculum Development

• Lead the development, implementation and review of the PSHE Curriculum, ensuring that it is engaging, age-appropriate and relevant to pupils’ experiences in Harrow Abu Dhabi.
• Embed Harrow’s values and principles of inclusion and mutual respect across the wider curriculum and co-curricular life.
  
• Support staff in delivering high-quality PSHE teaching and in facilitating open, respectful discussions on key topics such as relationships, diversity, resilience, and digital citizenship, within the context of the UAE and in compliance with international and national standards, including Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) policies, frameworks, and inspection criteria.
  

Collaboration and Community Engagement

• Work collaboratively with House Masters/Mistresses and teachers to ensure cohesive and consistent pastoral support across the school.
• Contribute actively to the House system, cultivating pride, belonging, and fellowship, and helping pupils to experience their House as a cornerstone of their Harrow journey.
  
• Build strong, trusting partnerships with parents, communicating proactively and sensitively and offering guidance and practical support to help children navigate social and emotional challenges. 
• Maintain accurate, timely records of all relevant interactions with parents and foster strong partnerships between home and school.
  
• Liaise effectively with external agencies, educational psychologists, counsellors and wellbeing professionals as appropriate.
  
• Contribute to the wider life of the school, demonstrating commitment to the school’s values, ethos, and building a reputation for excellence within Abu Dhabi’s educational community. 

Staff Leadership and Professional Development

• Design and lead professional learning for staff on pastoral care, safeguarding, and wellbeing.
  
• Facilitate workshops and information sessions for parents on topics such as emotional development, resilience, and digital safety.
  
• Support the induction, mentoring and ongoing development of pastoral staff and teachers. 

Culture and Ethos

• Champion, instill and model the Harrow values of Courage, Honour, Humility and Fellowship, ensuring they are lived out daily in teaching, pastoral practice, and wider school life.
• Model empathy, respect, and integrity, serving as a role model for pupils and colleagues.
  
• Celebrate and promote the benefits of a coeducational environment where mutual respect, collaboration and friendship are nurtured between boys and girls.

School Improvement 

• Support the Head of Junior School in overseeing the pastoral budget to ensure there is a safe, stimulating and well-resourced learning environment, reflective of Harrow’s standards of excellence, and conducive to wellbeing, scholarship and collaboration.
• Represent the school professionally in interactions with the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and other educational bodies.

Essential Requirements:

• Appropriate degree, with UK PGCE or other teaching qualification that gives QTS
• Minimum three years teaching experience and familiarity with the National Curriculum of England and IGCSE/GCSE and/or A Levels as appropriate.
• A clean criminal record check including International Child Protection Check (ICPC) from the UK or appropriate police and other checks from relevant countries of residence/work for applicants who have never worked in the UK and no issues regarding suitability to work with children.
• A proven commitment to the safeguarding of children and an understanding of safeguarding procedure.
• Prior teaching experience essential, preferably in leading independent schools

Desirable Characteristics:

• Level 3 safeguarding certificate from a trusted safeguarding trainer.
• A genuine passion for working with young people and helping them to flourish.
• The ability to inspire excellence in both academic and pastoral development.
• Empathy, patience, and a caring approach in supporting pupils.
• Adaptability, creativity, and a forward-thinking outlook.
• Strong cultural sensitivity and global awareness.
• A collaborative mindset, working positively with colleagues, pupils, and parents.
• A drive to develop and innovate, embracing professional learning with a mindset of continual improvement.

Who Are We Looking For?

• Our staff embody the highest standards of professional and personal excellence. We seek to appoint individuals who are not only outstanding educators, but also mentors and role models who inspire pupils to achieve their very best, both in scholarship and in character. At Harrow Dubai, school leaders and teachers play a pivotal role in shaping confident, compassionate young people, contributing fully to the intellectual, pastoral, and co-curricular life of the School.
• We seek educators who combine intellectual rigour with a genuine love of working with young people.
• Teaching, for us, is not simply a profession; it is a vocation, and we welcome colleagues who see their role as both a privilege and a responsibility.
• We value educators who bring passion, integrity, and humility to their work, modelling the values of Courage, Honour, Humility, and Fellowship in all they do.
• A Harrow leader embraces challenge with resilience and creativity, demonstrating adaptability in a dynamic global context.
• Our leaders work closely with colleagues, pupils, and families to create an environment where every child can flourish with demonstrated success in stretching the most able and supporting those who need additional guidance.
• Beyond the classroom, they contribute enthusiastically to co-curricular activities, pastoral life, and the wider school community, recognising that a Harrow education is distinguished by its breadth as well as its depth, and that its impact extends far beyond academic achievement.

What Else Can You Bring?