Head of EYFS- August 2026 (Female Only)

Downe House Riyadh

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.

About Downe House Riyadh:

Opened in September 2022, Downe House Riyadh delivers a world-class British curriculum in partnership with one of the UK s most celebrated girls-only private schools. With over a century of excellence, Downe House UK consistently ranks among the country s top five all-girls schools.

Located in the prestigious Aqeeq neighbourhood in northern Riyadh, the school offers a British curriculum enriched with Downe House UK s tradition and expertise. The programme is carefully adapted for Saudi Arabia, ensuring girls achieve excellence in Arabic and Islamic Studies alongside core subjects.

The close partnership between the Riyadh and UK schools is evident in both philosophy and practice. At the heart of the Downe House ethos is the individual: every girl s strength, challenges, and interests are recognised, with bespoke pathways that foster confidence and success.

Downe House Riyadh offers:

• A first-class British education leading to IGCSEs and A Levels
• Academic excellence in girls education
• Exceptional pastoral care and opportunities for personal growth
• A wide range of co-curricular activities
  

The school nurtures intellectual curiosity, creativity, and respect for others through strong pastoral systems, personalised tutoring, and a spotlight on every student.

School Structure:

• Pre-Prep: Nursery to Year 2 (ages 2 7)
  
• Prep: Year 3 to Year 8 (ages 7 13)
  
• Senior: Year 9 to Year 13 (ages 13 18)
  

Boys and girls are admitted from Pre-School to Year 4.

The state-of-the-art campus features dedicated libraries, central atriums, science and design labs, art studios, a 450-seat theatre, music, dance, and drama facilities, IT labs, and both senior and learner swimming pools.

Job Overview:

The Head of EYFS will foster a phase culture that fully reflects the school s values and ethos. They will promote and secure the highest standards of teaching, learning, behaviour, pupil progress, and achievement across EYFS.

The Head of EYFS will ensure that a first-class, well-rounded curriculum is delivered effectively and that pupils are fully engaged in both academic and extra-curricular activities. The role also involves supporting the Principal in promoting the school and managing pupil admissions into Downe House Riyadh.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Management

• Serve as a positive role model in leadership, teaching, and behaviour.
• Lead and manage day-to-day operations within EYFS.
• Ensure all children in the phase receive an outstanding education.
• Coordinate lesson delivery, activities, and opportunities that extend learning.
• Ensure planning at all levels (long-, medium-, weekly) is coherent and effective.
• Maintain documentation, evidence, and tracking systems that demonstrate pupil progress.
• Oversee pastoral care within EYFS and ensure a well-structured pastoral programme.
• Maintain discipline aligned with school behaviour policies and model professionalism.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Follow all safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate a strong personal commitment to child protection and wellbeing.
• Fully participate in mandatory safeguarding training.

Successful candidates will have:

• Bachelor s degree in early childhood education, QTS, PGCE, or equivalent.
• Minimum five years of relevant teaching experience.
• Minimum two years of proven leadership experience within EYFS.
• Experience of working in a British curriculum school.
• Experience in curriculum development.
• Knowledge of educational developments and best practices.
• A passion for working with children and a commitment to fostering their academic and personal growth.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience of adding value to a reputable educational organisation.
• Experience of working as a team member in a school environment.
• Experience of maintaining confidentiality.
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural setting.