Job Description

GEMS Wellington Academy, Al Khail are looking to appoint an exceptional, experienced leader to join us as Prep School Deputy Head - Academic (Pupil Progress) for August 2026. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, have proven and sustained impact on driving standards and be committed to a culture of High Performance.
Job Purpose: In collaboration with the Head of Prep School and the wider Leadership Team, lead the systematic collection and analysis of internal and external data to pinpoint areas requiring additional support or intervention, ensuring sustained pupil progress for all learners.
Pupil Outcomes and Assessment:

• Maintain clear vision, purpose and high expectations focused on pupil progress and achievement

• Lead on the development and implementation of internal and external assessment policies, ensuring it is implemented effectively, securing accurate data.

• Lead on external National Agenda and National Benchmark Assessments ensuring outstanding performance

• Oversee formative and summative assessments across the school and ensure the validity of assessment.

• Driving the improvement of the core subjects through providing strategic leadership of assessment practices.

• Co-ordinate, timetable and oversee attainment and progress data collections for pupils across the school, coordinate data entry and present to Primary Leadership Team and other appropriate stakeholders.

• Lead analysis of pupil performance to support subject leads in interrogating data and evaluating progress and attainment.

• Support leaders in planning next steps and actions in response to data analysis to maximise progress including curriculum adaptations and interventions

• Ensuring that all data is relevant, accessible and used by all teaching staff to raise standards.

• Lead on the moderation of internal assessments to be in line with curriculum expectations

• Liaise with Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Leads, to ensure all pupils make progress, including those in vulnerable groups.

• Leading CPD to upskill staff in how to best use data to support pupil progress in learning

• Overseeing the completion of robust and purposeful transition data by teachers to ensure seamless transitions, with particular focus on the key phases from FS2 to Year 1 and from Year 6 to Secondary School.

• Providing timely data and data analysis to the Principal, Head of Prep and the Academy Leadership Team

• To engage in ongoing CPD related to data analysis while maintaining awareness of current UK research and updates on datadriven approaches that strengthen pupil progress.

• Directing the development of highquality intervention programmes and associated staff training to ensure that all learners receive the support they need to progress successfully.

Feedback for Success:

• Ensure the effective implementation of the Feedback for Success Policy so that all children receive accurate and supportive feedback that moves learning forward.

• Ensure that feedback and marking is high quality and focuses on moving learning forward in line with curriculum expectations.

Quality Assurance:

• Lead, enhance and monitor the QA cycle to ensure consistency and accountability at all levels

• Lead the IQA cycles to deep dive and evaluate curriculum subjects, pupil achievement and the quality of ongoing assessment

Organisational Management and School Improvement:

• Lead and contribute to the Academy's school improvement cycle and the development of staff skills in self-review and self-evaluation as part of the Academy's model of continuous improvement

• Support the Academy Leadership Team in preparing all documentation in respect of both the KHDA Inspection programme and the BSO accreditation processes drawing upon the work of senior and middle leaders

• Ensure that all staff are kept up to date with the requirements and processes of both internal and external review and accreditation

• Be a part of all aspects of staff recruitment within agreed policies and procedures

• Establish and oversee systems, processes and policies so the school can operate effectively

• Manage staff well with due attention to workload

• Allocate financial resources appropriately, efficiently and effectively

• Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness, and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the school's context

Governance, accountability and working in partnership:
Understand and welcome the role of effective governance, including accepting responsibility

• Ensure that staff understand their professional responsibilities and are held to account

• Ensure the school effectively and efficiently operates within the required regulatory frameworks and meets all statutory duties

• Work successfully with other schools and organisations both within and beyond the Wellington network

Parental Support and Reporting:

• Develop strategies to maximise parental engagement in pupils' achievement, including reporting to parents and Parents' Evenings.

• Provide information and engage parents in assessment processes and understanding

• Coordinate and lead on the creation and publishing of Termly and End of Year Academic Reports.

Safeguarding and Health and Safety:

• Work in line with statutory safeguarding guidance and GEMS safeguarding and child protection policies

• Work with the DSL to promote the best interests of pupils, including sharing concerns where necessary

• Promote the safeguarding of all pupils in the school

Skills

• A strong commitment to high standards and a variety of approaches to teaching and learning
• The ability to lead, inspire, motivate and support pupils and colleagues
• Ability to deal with a large volume of data, prioritise workload and meet strict deadlines
• An outstanding classroom practitioner
• A commitment to the wellbeing and pastoral care of children
• The ability to inspire others and lead by example, role modelling the School's vision statement Leadership for a better world in relationships with pupils, teachers and parents;
• The ability to work in a successful and dynamic school
• Excellent organisational, administrative, IT and data management skills
• Ability to maintain high standards of accuracy and have a calm methodical approach to work whilst working under pressure
• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills
• A high level of understanding of data management and its complexities
• Evidence of numeracy and logic skills
• Deep understanding of British curriculum frameworks, inspection standards (KHDA, BSO), and GEMS expectations.
• Recognised teaching qualification (PGCE or equivalent).
• Bachelor's degree in Education or relevant field; Master's degree or National Professional Qualification in Education (NPQ) preferred.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS WEDNESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2026
GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.

Skills Required