Assistant Headteacher - ELL & EAL
About This Role
About us
Fortes Education has been a leading education provider in the UAE for over four decades with premium international schools and nurseries that have experienced outstanding success and growth. Our schools offer the most innovative and character-building education in the entire Middle East region.
Our core ethos and philosophy of education is Positive Education (PosEd). Through PosEd, our schools foster active engagement in learning, celebrating character strengths and accomplishments. We encourage children to cultivate fulfilling relationships with others and seek meaning and purpose in their own lives. We enable children to become happy learners and develop into innovative thinkers, confident young adults, and life-long learners. Our students develop resilience, a growth mindset and deep character strengths that allow them to flourish in an ever-changing world.
About Sunmarke School – Where Amazing Happens
Sunmarke School provides an ambitious and inspiring, values-based education that nurtures the hearts and minds of students so that they can flourish and achieve their dreams. Powered by our suite of signature programmes, Sunmarke is a uniquely innovative school, transforming young lives. This was reflected in Sunmarke School winning the coveted ‘Most Innovative School’ award at the international Which School Advisor ceremony in Dubai and London.
Sunmarke is an all–through school which offers a premium education across a fantastic range of pathways for students, including the National Curriculum of England, GCSE/IGCSE, ‘A’ Levels, BTEC and the IB Diploma Programmes. Our students regularly win examination boards’ ‘best in world’, ‘best in Middle East’ and ‘best in country’ awards every year, across a diverse range of subjects. The latest incredible IB results show that Sunmarke School is in the top 3 schools in Dubai and 69th in world rankings. Our suite of Signature Programmes is unrivalled in Dubai, with inspiring opportunities for students to experience transformative learning opportunities. These include Environmental and Sustainability Studies, where students learn in Forest School settings, as well as utilising cutting-edge hydroponic technology to examine how science can support sustainability in future terrains; a world-class STEAM centre and curriculum, which offers students an incredible opportunity to apply their learning in solving real-world problems, from Foundation Stage through to Year 9; Augmented and Virtual Reality AR/VR experiences alongside our cutting edge use of Artificial Intelligence for staff and students; outstanding performing arts opportunities with full black box and auditorium facilities alongside peripatetic music spaces and media suites; and a fantastic sports programme augmented with professional coaches, which led Sunmarke to be overall champions at the BSME Games.
Sunmarke School has been judged by the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) as a ‘Very Good’ school since our third year of operation and is consistently judged ‘Outstanding’ by British Schools Overseas (BSO). We present an exciting opportunity to join our all through school and to play an important part in our journey beyond “outstanding”. Sunmarke School, Dubai is one of our flagship schools, located at a prime location in Jumeirah Village Triangle.
About you:
Due to the continued growth and strategic development of our school, we are seeking to appoint an exceptional, experienced and forward-thinking leader to the position of Assistant Headteacher – ELL & EAL (Whole School) from August 2026.
This is a pivotal Senior Leadership Team role with whole-school responsibility for the vision, direction and impact of English Language Learning provision across our all-through school. The successful candidate will play a central role in ensuring that language development drives academic success, inclusion and equity for all learners.
The Assistant Headteacher – ELL & EAL will provide clear and authoritative leadership of EAL provision across all phases, developing and implementing a cohesive whole-school strategy aligned with our School Improvement Plan and Fortes Education priorities. You will ensure that EAL learners access the full British curriculum and achieve outcomes in line with, or exceeding, whole-school attainment benchmarks.
Working as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to whole-school strategy, inspection readiness and performance outcomes. You will lead the development of high-impact teaching practices, embedding effective language acquisition strategies within mainstream classrooms and influencing curriculum design to ensure both accessibility and academic rigour.
This role requires a strategic leader who can operate at scale — driving excellence in teaching and learning, leading professional development in EAL pedagogy, and using data intelligently to close attainment gaps between EAL and non-EAL learners. You will also lead and develop a team of EAL specialists, ensuring consistency, accountability and high performance across the school.
In addition, the role will involve:
Leading robust systems for assessment, tracking and monitoring of language development
Ensuring strong transitions and continuity of progress across phases
Championing inclusive practice and equitable access to the curriculum
Building strong partnerships with parents and the wider community
Contributing to inspection readiness and ensuring alignment with KHDA and British Schools Overseas standards
We are looking for a dynamic and highly skilled leader with a proven track record of leading EAL provision at scale, driving whole-school improvement and influencing teaching practice. You will bring deep expertise in language acquisition and a passion for ensuring every learner thrives in a diverse, international environment.
This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious leader who is committed to excellence, collaboration and innovation, and who believes in the transformative power of language in unlocking student success.
If you believe you have the vision, expertise and drive to lead this critical area, Sunmarke School offers an exceptional platform for your next leadership challenge.
We are looking for certain qualities:
The Assistant Headteacher should hold as a minimum, a bachelor’s degree with PGCE or equivalent recognised teaching qualification. Specialist qualifications in TESOL, EAL, Applied Linguistics or related field.
Deep understanding of second language acquisition theory and research-informed EAL practice within a British curriculum context.
Strong knowledge of the British curriculum and UK assessment frameworks.
Secure understanding of KHDA and British inspection standards.
Proven middle leadership experience within a Middle East or international British school context.
Experience leading EAL provision at scale within a large school.
Experience analysing attainment and progress data to drive measurable improvement.
Experience influencing mainstream teaching practice and curriculum design.
A creative & innovative practitioner and a highly effective leader who leads by example and can inspire and motivate & develop excellence in others through coaching and mentoring.
Build and develop highly effective teams, organisational structures and academic processes with an ability to delegate work and support colleagues in undertaking their responsibilities.
Ability to build and maintain outstanding relationships
Ability to remain positive and enthusiastic when working under pressure
Ability to organise work, prioritise tasks, make decisions and manage time effectively
Our Offer:
Excellent tax-free salary
Furnished Accommodation
Relocation Allowance
Medical Insurance for self, spouse & 2 dependents
Annual Flights for self, spouse & 2 dependents
Annual paid vacation
An enthusiastic learning community of students, teachers, parents, and Board members, who are dedicated to maximise student achievement, and creating positive learning opportunities in and out of the classroom.
Working within a team of highly driven and supportive colleagues
Excellent professional development
Working in Dubai, one of the world’s most sought-after work and travel destinations
Application Process:
If you have the passion, energy, and commitment to drive accelerated outcomes for young people, we will welcome your application. In return, you will join a rapidly evolving organisation that can offer you a central role in our future growth plans.
Interested candidates are invited to complete our Online Application by visiting: https://careers.forteseducation.com/CurrentOpening.aspx
Please follow the instructions provided to complete and submit your application.
You should submit: A copy of your curriculum vitae/résumé. A cover letter, preferably of no more than two pages. The letter should outline the following: How has your previous experience prepared you for the post in question? How would you help deliver outstanding wellbeing and pastoral care in the Secondary School at Sunmarke School? What will your success criteria be at the end of your first year in post? Appointment Start Date: August 2026 Closing Date: Sunday, 5th April 2026, 5 p.m. (UAE time) Successful candidates will be invited to participate in our Assessment Centre either in person or online on Tuesday, 7th April 2026. Safer Recruitment Statement Fortes Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Policies for safer recruitment are aligned with the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection. At Sunmarke School, 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 and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to various background checks, including receipt of satisfactory references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification, and police checks, including overseas checks.