Deputy Headteacher

About the school:

The RGS Guildford Qatar has developed a strong partnership with RGS Guildford in the UK, a prestigious UK independent school with a tradition and rich history for providing outstanding education. We also have strong links with our international sister schools throughout the world.

The RGS Guildford, Qatar is an all-through British school offering a co-educational British curriculum for children aged 3 to 18. The school opened in September 2016, and now welcomes over 785 students to its campus which is just 20 minutes from the Pearl and Lusail. Students follow the English Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, the National Curriculum at Key Stages 1, 2, 3 and at Key Stage 4 a comprehensive range of IGCSE courses. At Post-16 the school offers a range of AS levels. The school has a reputation for high quality teaching and learning and has a range of excellent sports facilities which include an astro turf, sports hall and an open-air swimming pool.

Values and vision:

The RGSGQ believes passionately in preparing our students for the challenges of a rapidly changing, global future, as well as providing them with excellent foundations so that they can have the most ambitious of aspirations at university and beyond. Our teachers nurture and develop all those transferable skills which will set up our students irrespective of their chosen path: thinking critically, being independent and creative, being resilient and self-motivated; collaborating and working together, and being equally confident as a leader or as part of a team. The RGSGQ offers a traditional British pastoral provision and an extensive range of extra-curricular activities and we promote an ethos of high expectations and the importance of academic success for all our students.

Our timeless school values – inclusivity; scholarship; integrity; collaboration; courage; respect – which are embedded in the curricular and extra-curricular life of the school, ensure RGSGQ students emerge as humble and grounded individuals committed to making the very best of each and every opportunity and to making a difference to others.

Inspire excellence. Lead academic achievement. Shape the future.

Royal Grammar School Guildford Qatar is seeking an exceptional and ambitious educational leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as Deputy Headteacher (Academics), Secondary School.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced senior leader who is passionate about delivering outstanding teaching and learning, raising academic standards, developing staff, and ensuring every student reaches their full potential.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Head of Secondary and Principal to provide strategic leadership across all aspects of academic provision and contribute significantly to the continued success and growth of the school.

About the role

The Deputy Headteacher (Academics) provides strategic leadership and management of:

Teaching and learning

Curriculum development

Assessment and reporting

Quality assurance

Academic standards

Student progress and achievement

Staff performance and professional development

School improvement planning

Inspection readiness and accreditation

The post holder will play a key role in ensuring the highest standards of educational provision throughout the Secondary School.

Key responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

Strategic leadership

Support the Head of Secondary in delivering the school's vision and strategic priorities.

Lead whole school academic improvement initiatives.

Promote a culture of high expectations and academic excellence.

Contribute to Senior Leadership Team decision making.

Deputise for the Head of Secondary when required.

Teaching and learning

Lead and monitor outstanding teaching and learning.

Line manage the Assistant Headteacher responsible for Teaching and Learning.

Conduct lesson observations, learning walks and quality assurance activities.

Support Heads of Department to improve teaching standards.

Drive evidence-informed teaching practices.

Curriculum leadership

Lead the strategic development of the Secondary curriculum.

Ensure curriculum progression across all Key Stages.

Review and evaluate curriculum effectiveness.

Ensure compliance with national and international curriculum requirements.

Assessment and data

Lead assessment, recording and reporting systems.

Analyse student performance data.

Monitor examination outcomes.

Implement intervention strategies to improve achievement.

Present academic reports to Senior Leaders and Governors.

Staff development

Lead appraisal and performance management.

Support leadership development across departments.

Coordinate high-quality professional learning.

Mentor new teachers and Early Career Teachers.

Quality assurance

Develop robust quality assurance systems.

Monitor departmental effectiveness.

Lead self-evaluation and improvement planning.

Ensure academic policies are consistently implemented.

Student achievement

Monitor student progress across all year groups.

Promote high academic standards.

Work closely with pastoral leaders.

Support students in curriculum pathways and progression.

Inspection and compliance

Lead academic preparation for inspections.

Ensure compliance with safeguarding and statutory requirements.

Maintain inspection-ready documentation and evidence.

Stakeholder engagement

Build strong relationships with parents, staff and students.

Represent the school professionally.

Communicate academic priorities effectively.

Essential qualifications

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or an internationally recognised equivalent.

A bachelor's degree in a relevant subject.

A recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, BEd or equivalent).

Evidence of ongoing professional development.

Desirable qualifications

National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL), NPQH or equivalent.

Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership or a related field.

Essential experience

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

At least 8 years of successful secondary teaching experience.

A minimum of 3 to 5 years in a significant middle or senior leadership role.

Proven experience of improving academic outcomes.

Successful leadership of curriculum development.

Experience leading assessment and data analysis.

Experience managing and developing teaching staff.

Experience preparing for inspection or accreditation.

Experience leading whole-school improvement initiatives.

International school experience

Desirable but not essential:

Experience within a British Curriculum school.

Experience with IGCSE and A Level programmes.

Experience in an international school environment.

Essential skills

The successful candidate will possess:

Outstanding leadership skills.

Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

Strong curriculum knowledge.

Expertise in assessment and data analysis.

Excellent organisational and strategic planning skills.

Effective coaching and mentoring skills.

Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.

Financial awareness and resource management skills.

High levels of emotional intelligence.

Excellent presentation skills.

Personal qualities

We are looking for someone who is:

An inspirational and visible leader.

Passionate about educational excellence.

Highly organised and resilient.

Collaborative and approachable.

Committed to continuous improvement.

A role model for professionalism and integrity.

Student-centred in all decision making.

Committed to safeguarding and inclusion.

Positive, enthusiastic and possessing a good sense of humour.

Safeguarding

Royal Grammar School Guildford Qatar is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

All successful applicants will be required to complete comprehensive pre-employment checks including:

Enhanced DBS Certificate (or international equivalent).

Overseas Police Clearance Certificates covering all countries lived or worked in during the last 10 years.

Identity verification.

Qualification verification.

Employment history checks.

Professional reference checks (including current Principal/Headteacher).

Right to work checks.

Medical fitness clearance.

Child protection and safeguarding screening.

This role is for August 2026. The Royal Grammar School Guildford, Qatar has a responsibility for and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The person appointed to this post will be required to apply for an enhanced Disclosure Certificate from the DBS.

If you are looking for a unique international teaching opportunity and that next step in your career then please get in touch to find out more. We look forward to hearing from you.