Head of Senior

Repton Al Barsha is seeking to appoint an exceptional Head of Senior School to lead the next stage of our journey. This is a rare opportunity to shape a highly ambitious Senior School (Years 7–13) at a defining moment in its growth, working alongside a committed Principal, a strong Senior Leadership Team, and a deeply engaged school community.

This role is suited to an experienced and values-driven secondary leader who combines academic rigour with warmth, pace with care, and strategic clarity with genuine humility. Above all, we are looking for someone who believes profoundly in young people, in staff, and in the power of community.

Repton Al Barsha is a thriving British international school located in Dubai Science Park, at the heart of New Dubai. Originally established as a Junior School, the Senior School was approved by KHDA in 2020 and has grown rapidly in both scale and reputation.

Our most recent DSIB inspection (2024) rated the school Very Good with Outstanding features, recognising both academic outcomes and the strength of pastoral care.

• High academic expectations and strong outcomes at GCSE and A Level

• Exceptional pastoral systems where students are genuinely known and supported

• A culture that values character, leadership, service and belonging

• Outstanding facilities and a rich co-curricular programme

• A warm, inclusive community where staff collaborate and grow together

This is a school that is both relentlessly ambitious and rooted in community.

Under the direction of the Principal, the Head of Senior School provides inspirational leadership for Years 7–13, ensuring excellence in teaching and learning, robust pastoral care, and a culture where both students and staff thrive.

The successful candidate will:

• Lead the Senior School with clarity, confidence and compassion

• Shape and deliver a coherent academic and pastoral vision across Key Stages 3–5

• Ensure high standards while maintaining a calm, supportive and purposeful culture

• Develop leaders and teachers so that great practice becomes consistent practice

• Use data, feedback and self-evaluation intelligently to drive meaningful improvement

• Strengthen transition from Junior to Senior School and prepare students exceptionally well for life beyond Repton

This is a hands-on leadership role, requiring visibility, approachability and the ability to make thoughtful decisions at pace.

• Lead the Senior School with a clear moral purpose where every child is known, challenged and supported

• Work closely with the Principal and SLT to shape and deliver the whole-school strategy

• Ensure alignment between Junior and Senior phases, particularly in curriculum, culture and transition

• Oversee a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum across Years 7–13

• Ensure excellence in GCSE and A Level provision

• Champion high-impact teaching and assessment practices informed by evidence and data

• Set the tone for exceptional pastoral care and student wellbeing

• Ensure safeguarding and child protection are embedded, understood and enacted consistently

• Foster a culture of respect, responsibility and positive behaviour

• Lead, support and develop Senior School leaders, middle leaders and teachers

• Build a culture of trust, accountability and professional growth

• Recruit, retain and develop outstanding staff

• Significant and successful leadership experience in a secondary setting

• Proven record of leading improvement and managing change

• Deep understanding of the English National Curriculum, GCSEs and A Levels

• Strong emotional intelligence with the ability to lead with warmth and authority

• Highly organised, reflective and resilient

• Passionate about student achievement, wellbeing and character development

• Skilled in building strong relationships with students, staff and families

• Experience in an international school setting

• Familiarity with KHDA or similar regulatory frameworks

• Experience of leading during periods of growth or structural change

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience

• Accommodation allowance

• Annual flights

• World-class medical and healthcare benefits

• Outstanding professional development within Cognita and the Repton family

• The opportunity to lead in a school that values both excellence and humanity

Repton Al Barsha and Cognita are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to rigorous safeguarding checks, including enhanced criminal background checks, identity verification, qualification and employment history checks, and satisfactory references.