KS1 Class Teacher

Horizon English School Town Square is currently recruiting a KS1 class teacher for an August 2027 start.

For 37 years, Horizon English School in Jumeirah has been part of Dubai's educational story, building a reputation founded on strong relationships, community and a belief in the potential of every child. In August 2027, that story begins an exciting new chapter with the opening of Horizon English School, Town Square.

As part of the Cognita family, Horizon Town Square will build on this heritage while creating a school designed for the children, families and world of tomorrow. Our ambition is for every child to find joy in learning and grow to become confident, capable and connected.

As a founding member of staff, our teachers will have a unique opportunity to help shape the culture, curriculum and traditions of a new school from its very beginning.

Job purpose:

The teacher will provide consistently high-quality teaching and learning that enables every child to make strong progress and develop a genuine love of learning. The successful candidate will combine excellent classroom practice with warmth, high expectations and a strong commitment to knowing each child as an individual. As a founding teacher, the postholder will help establish a school where everyone counts, everyone contributes and everyone succeeds.

About Horizon Town Square:

Opening in September 2027, Horizon English School Town Square will bring over 35 years of educational excellence from our outstanding Jumeirah campus to the heart of Town Square Dubai.

An all-through British curriculum school for ages 3-18, the new campus will launch with FS1 to Year 8, growing year by year to Year 13.

The school will combine academic excellence, wellbeing and community spirit in a purpose-built, state of the art environment.

As part of the Cognita global family, students will benefit from world-class opportunities in academics, sports, and the arts through Enrich ME, helping every child feel they belong, achieve, and thrive.

Role & responsibilities:

Teaching and learning

Plan and deliver engaging, ambitious and inclusive learning experiences that enable all pupils to make strong progress.

Establish high expectations for achievement, behaviour, participation and presentation.

Develop strong subject knowledge and create purposeful, memorable learning experiences.

Ensure children acquire secure knowledge while learning how to apply, connect, question and communicate what they know.

Use assessment intelligently to understand starting points, inform teaching and identify appropriate next steps.

Adapt teaching effectively to meet individual needs, including pupils requiring additional support and those capable of greater challenge.

Promote curiosity, independence, creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving.

Place reading, communication and language at the heart of learning.

Use digital technology deliberately where it enhances learning and human connection.

Create classrooms in which children experience the joy of learning.

Developing confident, capable and connected learners

Confident: Develop children who know themselves, communicate effectively, embrace challenge, take appropriate risks and have the confidence to contribute.

Capable: Develop children with strong academic foundations alongside the skills, independence, resilience and learning habits required to apply their knowledge successfully.

Connected: Develop children who build meaningful relationships, understand and value others, contribute positively to their communities and recognise their responsibility to the wider world.

Pastoral care, inclusion and wellbeing

Know, value and understand every child as an individual.

Create a positive, inclusive and respectful environment in which every child feels a strong sense of belonging.

Support pupils' personal, social and emotional development alongside academic progress.

Identify and respond appropriately to pupils requiring additional academic or pastoral support.

Work collaboratively with inclusion and pastoral teams to ensure appropriate support and challenge.

Celebrate children's individual strengths, interests and achievements.

Assessment and progress

Maintain an accurate understanding of pupils' attainment, progress and needs.

Use formative and summative assessment effectively to inform planning, teaching and intervention.

Contribute to moderation, pupil progress meetings and wider school evaluation processes.

Communicate pupils' progress clearly and constructively with parents and colleagues.

Take responsibility for the progress and outcomes of all pupils taught.

Parent and community partnership

Develop warm, professional and trusting relationships with parents.

Communicate clearly about children's learning, progress and wellbeing.

Recognise parents as important partners in their child's education.

Contribute to parent workshops, information sessions, school events and community activities.

Play an active role in establishing Horizon Town Square as a school at the heart of its community.

Wider school contribution

Contribute enthusiastically to enrichment, clubs, trips, student leadership, social impact, sport, performing arts and the wider life of the school.

Share expertise, ideas and resources generously with colleagues.

Participate actively in professional learning, coaching and collaborative development.

Contribute to curriculum development and school improvement priorities.

Be willing to take responsibility for an area of curriculum or wider school life where appropriate.

Founding school responsibilities

Embrace the opportunity and responsibility that comes with establishing a new school.

Help build a positive, ambitious and inclusive culture from the outset.

Contribute ideas and expertise to the development of curriculum, systems, routines and traditions.

Be comfortable working in an evolving environment where flexibility, collaboration and initiative are essential.

Demonstrate a solution-focused approach and a willingness to contribute beyond the boundaries of an individual classroom.

Help establish the distinctive identity of Horizon English School, Town Square.

Act as an ambassador for the school within the Town Square community.

Balance innovation with the experience, heritage and proven strengths of Horizon.

General responsibilities

Model Horizon and Cognita values through all professional interactions.

Demonstrate an active commitment to pupil and staff wellbeing and the development of a strong school community.

Comply with and demonstrate an active commitment to safeguarding policies, procedures and codes of conduct.

Follow all school policies, procedures and professional expectations.

Maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and confidentiality.

Engage proactively with professional development and school improvement.

Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role.

Person specification:

Bachelors degree in education / PGCE.

English speaker.

Strong understanding of effective teaching, learning and assessment.

Knowledge of the National Curriculum for England and/or EYFS framework as appropriate.

Understanding of inclusive and adaptive teaching; commitment to safeguarding and child protection.

Understanding of wellbeing and personal development alongside academic achievement.

Applications can be submitted via the TES online application form. Only fully completed applications will be processed. To support your application, please include your current, up-to-date CV.

The school reserves the right to interview and appoint strong candidates before the official closing date, and therefore we encourage candidates to apply early in the process.

Thank you for your interest in Horizon Town Square School. Due to the large number of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Horizon Town Square School and Cognita are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expect the same from their employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 10 years.