About This Role
The Deputy Head of Secondary is a key executive leadership position within the school, working in close partnership with the Head of Secondary and Senior Leadership Team to drive academic excellence, operational effectiveness, and a positive culture of learning. The successful candidate may also hold a whole-school strategic responsibility, contributing to broader school improvement priorities.
Key Responsibilities
Champion and actively promote the ethos, vision, and standards of excellence aligned with the GEMS Education Core Values.
Work closely with the Head of Secondary to develop and embed effective, innovative, and globally relevant teaching and learning practices.
Support the implementation of the school’s strategic vision for quality education and continuous improvement.
Ensure the integration of GEMS Core Values across all curricular and co-curricular programmes, fostering a culture of aspiration, respect, and inclusion.
Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
Lead the development of robust monitoring and evaluation systems to assess the quality of teaching and learning, and implement targeted improvement strategies where required.
Conduct needs-based lesson observations and performance reviews, providing focused developmental feedback aligned to school priorities.
Work collaboratively with Heads of Department and coordinators to ensure curriculum continuity, progression, and compliance with regulatory expectations.
Ensure the curriculum remains responsive to the needs of students while meeting required standards and content frameworks.
Staff Development and Leadership
Support the professional growth of staff through coaching, mentoring, and structured professional development aligned to time-bound improvement targets.
Chair meetings, lead working groups, and contribute to whole-school leadership initiatives.
Build leadership capacity across the Secondary phase, contributing to succession planning and talent development.
Student Experience and Enrichment
Oversee the effective provision of support programmes, enrichment activities, educational visits, assemblies, and special events that enhance student learning and wellbeing.
Work with pastoral and inclusion teams to ensure a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
Community Engagement and Operations
Develop strong partnerships with parents and the wider community through clear, consistent communication and engagement initiatives.
Liaise with the Registrar regarding admissions processes, including student induction, assessment, and transition arrangements.
Support the organisation of Parent–Teacher meetings, school events, charity initiatives, and wider GEMS network programmes.
Strategic and Operational Leadership
Contribute to budget planning and resource management, ensuring effective deployment of staffing and facilities.
Undertake a teaching allocation and other professional duties as delegated by the Head of Secondary and Senior Leadership Team.
Ensure all GEMS policies, procedures, and professional expectations are consistently implemented.
Demonstrate flexibility and commitment, recognising that senior leadership responsibilities may extend beyond the typical school day.
Attend leadership meetings and serve on committees as required.
Carry out any additional duties reasonably assigned by direct or dotted-line managers.