Deputy Head of Senior School (Pastoral)

Queen Elizabeth s School, Dubai Sports City

Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, values-driven pastoral care strategy that champions student wellbeing, personal growth, and safeguarding excellence across the Senior 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 Senior School and Deputy Head of Senior School (Academic) to ensure that pastoral provision is seamlessly integrated into the broader educational experience.

Serve as the Senior 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Monitor and report on key pastoral indicators, including attendance, safeguarding records, and behavioural trends, to inform strategic decision-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 Senior School in managing day-to-day operational matters, including timetabling, staffing, and resourcing.

Act as Acting Head of Senior School when required, providing continuity of leadership and upholding the highest standards of care and professionalism.