Founding Head of Prep School - Early 2026 Start

Queen Elizabeth s School, Dubai Sports City

At Queen Elizabeth s School, Dubai Sports City, we proudly extend the distinguished legacy of Queen Elizabeth s School, Barnet one of the United Kingdom s most celebrated academic institutions. Founded on centuries of tradition and intellectual rigour, our branch schools uphold an uncompromising commitment to academic excellence, character formation, and cultural enrichment.

Our vision is to cultivate dynamic, world-class learning environments where the next generation of confident, able, and responsible young people are shaped. We challenge our students to think independently, lead with purpose, and embrace a global perspective all within a community that values tradition, discipline, and innovation. By blending the timeless values of our founding school with the opportunities of a rapidly evolving world, we ignite curiosity, inspire ambition, and prepare our students to make meaningful contributions to society as scholars, leaders, and changemakers

The Opportunity

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Prep School to lead our dynamic Key Stage 1 and 2 provision. This is an exciting opportunity to join a prestigious British international school that combines academic excellence, innovation, and holistic development. The ideal candidate will be a visionary and experienced leader with a strong grounding in the National Curriculum for England. You will inspire a culture of high expectations, drive outstanding teaching and learning, and foster a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child thrives. As part of our senior leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the Prep School and ensuring it reflects the values and high standards of our founding school, Queen Elizabeth s School, Barnet.

The Role

Job Title: Founding Head of Prep School

Reporting to: Principal

Strategic Leadership

• Provide visionary and strategic leadership to establish the Prep School as a benchmark of excellence, rooted in the values and academic ethos of Queen Elizabeth s School, Barnet.
• Shape and implement an ambitious long-term vision for the Prep phase, ensuring alignment with whole-school strategy and the global standards of the Queen Elizabeth s brand.
• Lead the development of a high-performance culture characterised by innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement in both academic and pastoral domains, underpinned by a rigorous and responsive school improvement planning cycle.
• Ensure full compliance with KHDA regulations and support the school s alignment with the standards required for BSO (British Schools Overseas) accreditation.
• Serve as a strategic partner in the school s founding leadership team, contributing to whole-school decision-making and representing the Prep School with distinction to internal and external stakeholders.

School Operations & Administration

• Lead the strategic and day-to-day operations of the Prep School with efficiency, foresight, and attention to detail ensuring a seamless learning environment where academic and pastoral priorities can thrive.
• Oversee timetabling, staffing, and resource allocation to maximise learning time, support teacher effectiveness, and optimise student experience.
• Collaborate with admissions and marketing teams to position the Prep School as a first-choice destination for ambitious families, ensuring enrolment targets are met with students aligned to the school s ethos.
• Monitor and analyse assessment data to inform teaching, improve outcomes, and embed a culture of evidence-base decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Uphold the highest standards of health, safety, disipline and safeguarding, ensuring full compliance with KHDA, MoE, BSO, and internal policies - and modelling a proactive approach to risk management and student welfare.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor s degree in Education (BEd), PGCE, or equivalent teaching qualification; a Master s degree in Education or Educational Leadership is strongly preferred.
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent international certification.
• A minimum of five years successful senior leadership experience within a premium British curriculum school, ideally in a Preparatory or Primary setting.
• Demonstrable expertise in curriculum design, staff development, and the successful implementation of wholeschool improvement strategies.
• In-depth knowledge of KHDA regulations, BSO (British Schools Overseas) inspection standards, and current UK educational best practice within an international context.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and communicate effectively with students staff, and parents.
• Highly organised and solutions-focused, with strong analytical skills and the ability to manage complex priorities with calm efficiency.
• A visible, inspirational leader with a student-first mindset who models integrity, resilience, and high expectations in all aspects of school life.
• Deeply committed to educational excellence and the holistic development of young people, aligned with the school s vision of developing confident, able, and responsible young people.