Head of Department - Math

Job overview

Start date: August 2025

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Contract type: Full time

Contract term: 2 years, renewable

We are seeking an outstanding and experienced Head of Department – Mathematics to lead our successful maths team. This is an exciting opportunity for a talented practitioner with strong leadership skills to drive standards, shape curriculum delivery and contribute to whole-school improvement.

About you

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to creating an inspiring, inclusive and high-performing learning environment. As a Head of Department, you will be an exemplary classroom practitioner with a proven track record of raising attainment and leading others effectively.

You will have a clear vision for maths education, with the ability to lead curriculum development, monitor teaching and learning, and use data strategically to improve outcomes. You will be highly motivated, organised and confident in leading a team, supporting colleagues and driving continuous improvement within the department.

Candidates should be committed to whole-school development and feel confident working within a culture of innovation, collaboration and accountability.

We welcome applications from candidates with one of the following sets of qualifications. Please note your documents must be attested for the UAE before arrival.

An internationally recognised bachelor’s degree in secondary education (Y7–13) with a maths specialism and QTS or equivalent, or

An internationally recognised bachelor’s degree in maths, or a closely related subject, and an internationally recognised teaching qualification such as PGCE or PGDE in secondary maths with QTS or equivalent, or

An internationally recognised bachelor’s degree in any subject with an internationally recognised teaching qualification such as PGCE or PGDE in secondary maths with QTS or equivalent, and a minimum of two years’ experience teaching secondary maths.

Leadership experience or the ability to demonstrate impact in leading teaching and learning is essential for this role.

Please note that two supporting references (including your most recent employer) and a police clearance certificate (ACRO or DBS, no more than 3 months old) must be provided by successful applicants.

Candidates travelling without dependents, or with a spouse holding their own international package, may benefit most from the overall package.

About our school

Al Basma is a popular and over-subscribed, high-performing ENC school. Our seven-form entry school currently caters for over 2000 students from FS1 to Year 13. We opened a state-of-the-art primary block for Years 3 to 6 in September 2020.

We aspire to create a global community of critical thinkers, innovators and leaders who will have a positive impact on the world. We pride ourselves on being a happy and vibrant school where students, parents and staff enjoy being part of the community. Our motto, ‘Striving to be the best’, underpins all that we do.

Our diverse community includes students from over 54 nationalities, speaking 28 languages, making Al Basma a truly international school. The campus is well resourced and offers excellent facilities.

We follow the National Curriculum for England, alongside the EYFS Development Matters Framework. We utilise GL CAT4 and Progress Tests, and offer a wide range of GCSE, iGCSE, iAS and iA Level qualifications through Cambridge, Edexcel and Pearson. We are also expanding our BTEC offer to support personalised pathways.

The school gained BSO accreditation in 2016 and continues to improve, achieving a Good rating with a number of Outstanding features in 2022. Since 2017, we have consistently achieved Band A in ADEK Irtiqa’a inspections, most recently consolidating a Very Good rating with several Outstanding judgements.

Al Basma is located in Al Bahia, a safe and quiet area of Abu Dhabi, close to the international airport and Yas Island, with Dubai just a 35-minute drive away.

Our package

Our competitive remuneration package for overseas UK-qualified staff includes a two-year renewable contract and visa, a tax-free salary, shared furnished accommodation including internet or an accommodation allowance, a one-way flight at the start and end of the contract for overseas hires, an annual flight allowance, comprehensive international medical insurance, end-of-service gratuity, and an increasing fee discount for dependent children based on years of service.