Deputy Head of Prep School (Pastoral)

Queen Elizabeth s School, Dubai Sports City

The Role

Job Title: Deputy Head of Prep School (Pastoral)
Reporting to: Head of Prep School

Pastoral Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, values_x0002_driven pastoral care strategy that champions student wellbeing, personal growth, and safeguarding excellence across the Prep School.
• Champion the integration of Emirati culture, heritage, and values within the school s pastoral framework, ensuring that all students, particularly Emirati nationals, feel a deep sense of cultural pride, belonging, and representation within the school community.
• Oversee the design and implementation of school-wide policies related to behaviour and student welfare, ensuring alignment with the school s mission and the highest standards of pastoral care.
• Cultivate a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusivity, where every student feels known, supported, and empowered to thrive.
• Collaborate closely with the Head of Prep and Deputy Head of Prep (Academic) to ensure that pastoral provision is seamlessly integrated into the broader educational experience.
• Serve as the Prep School s Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring full compliance with both local and accrediting body safeguarding frameworks and leading a culture of vigilance and care.

Student Wellbeing and Personal Development

• Oversee the emotional, social, and behavioural development of all students, ensuring proactive systems of support are in place to meet individual and group needs.
• Lead on the monitoring and improvement of attendance and punctuality, devising intervention plans to address emerging concerns.
• Provide compassionate and strategic guidance to students facing challenges, including conflict resolution, emotional regulation, and peer dynamics.
• Design and implement a rich programme of character education, mental health awareness, and resilience-building, aligned with the QE House Programme and whole-school pastoral vision.
• Champion student voice and wellbeing, leading initiatives that celebrate achievement, build confidence, and foster a strong sense of belonging.

Behaviour and Conduct

• Uphold and lead a culture of exceptional behaviour and personal responsibility, ensuring consistent implementation of the school s behaviour policy across all year groups.
• Support and empower staff to manage behaviour effectively through coaching, modelling, and professional development.
• Analyse behaviour data to identify trends, evaluate the impact of interventions, and refine strategies to support a positive learning environment.
• Act as the lead point of contact for complex behavioural matters, engaging sensitively and proactively with parents when required.

Parent and Community Engagement

• Build strong, trust-based partnerships with parents, ensuring open communication and shared responsibility for student wellbeing.
• Maintain proactive dialogue with families around pastoral matters, offering both support and clarity in times of need.
• Design and deliver a calendar of parent engagement events, including seminars on topics such as digital citizenship, adolescent wellbeing, and positive parenting strategies.

Staff Development and Leadership

• Inspire and lead all staff in their pastoral responsibilities, ensuring a unified and professional approach to student care and development.
• Plan and deliver high-impact training sessions on safeguarding, behaviour management, student welfare and emotional literacy.
• Conduct appraisals and performance reviews for staff with pastoral duties, setting clear goals and offering constructive guidance to support growth.
• Collaborate with academic leaders to ensure that the pastoral and academic dimensions of school life are aligned, coherent, and mutually reinforcing

Operational and Strategic Responsibilities

• Monitor and report on key pastoral indicators, including attendance, safeguarding records, and behavioural trends, to inform strategic decision_x0002_making.
• Ensure the school s full compliance with all relevant local safeguarding standards, maintaining robust documentation and systems.
• Contribute to the preparation and successful execution of inspection visits, ensuring that pastoral provision is clearly articulated and evidenced.
• Support the Head of Prep School in managing day_x0002_to-day operational matters, including timetabling, staffing, and resourcing.
• Act as Acting Head of Prep School when required, providing continuity of leadership and upholding the highest standards of care and professionalism