Head of Upper School Years 6,7

**Job type**:
Full Time, Permanent

**Start date**:
26/08/25

28 February 2025

**Job overview**:
Head of Upper School required to join our SLT at DESS from 26/08/25

DESS is Doha's leading not-for-profit school, renowned for its outstanding reputation in teaching and learning. In March 2023, DESS was rated Outstanding by PENTA International and was named the QBBF Organisation of the Year 2017. The school is proudly sponsored by the British Embassy and is a member of prestigious organizations such as IAPS, COBIS, and BSME.

As a dynamic preparatory school with a clear vision, we place learning at the heart of our mission. Our students represent 31 nationalities (with 90% being British), creating a vibrant culture of success and enjoyment. Led by a dedicated and talented team of educators, we work collaboratively to uphold the highest academic standards, all while fostering a joyful and supportive working environment.

We have an exciting opportunity for a highly accomplished school leader to join our prestigious organisation as the Head of our Upper School.

The upper school encompasses Years 6, 7 and 8. Upper school is a large phase of our school, with 352 students currently enrolled.

Upper school is a phase of our school, with 202 students currently enrolled in years 6, 7 and 8.

Having just received Outstanding judgements in all 7 areas of our recent BSO (British Schools Overseas) inspection, you would be joining a fast-paced, dynamic senior leadership team, with the ability to exercise influence and impact across the whole school. You would also be joining a thriving organisation in Doha, Qatar with highly supportive and collaborative structures to promote ongoing growth and development.

This fantastic opportunity would suit either an experienced Head of a Primary, a highly ambitious and aspirational Deputy Head or people with other leadership experience.

**About**Doha English Speaking School**:
**Doha English Speaking School**
- PO Box 7660, Al Maarri Street No 940, Zone 35, Fareej Kulaib
- Doha
- Qatar

+974 459 2750

Doha English Speaking School (DESS) was founded in 1981, catering for the growing need for an English speaking school.

The history of the school dates back to 1971 when an English Primary School catering for British children was first built. The junior school was opened in February 1979 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the present Emir's father.

The discovery and subsequent exploitation of a huge gas field on its north coast has led to significant economic progress in Qatar in recent years. This in turn has led to a rapid expansion of the Doha English Speaking School, both in terms of pupil numbers and overall facilities.

This not-for-profit school caters for children between the ages of three and eleven years, with plans underway to expand in to Years 7 and 8. Although the admissions policy prioritises British children, the school has a strong international element.

The DESS Board oversees the management and development of the school in accordance with our Constitution, the best practice of British and International schools and Qatar’s laws and regulations.

The Board works closely with the Senior Leadership Team, and proposes policy, strategy, improvement plans, use of resources and educational developments. The Board then debates, guides and approves these as well as monitoring, by way of regular reports, the operations of the school, to help the school achieve its vision as an international beacon of excellence in education.

**Doha English Speaking School**
**Vision, Mission and Values**

**OUR VISION**
**An International Beacon of Excellence in Education**

**OUR MISSION**
**Learning Together - High Expectations - Celebrating Success**
**Our mission at DESS is to**:

- create a happy, secure, stimulating and supportive learning environment
- care for the whole child - prepare future citizens
- deliver the National Curriculum for England in a relevant, meaningful and rigorous way
- offer not-for-profit education
- work in partnership with our community
- welcome innovation
- provide staff with the opportunities to enhance and develop professional skills

**OUR VALUES**
**At DESS we value**:

- care and consideration which allows everyone to thrive
- the fostering of respect for, and tolerance of, others and their differing cultures
- the creation of a trusting community where honesty and integrity are the norm
- the nurturing of high self-esteem and the confidence to ‘have a go’
- a climate of enthusiasm and enjoyment in learning
- the development of skills for lifelong learning
- the desire to improve through reflective learning
- the perseverance to strive for success
- the pursuit of excellence
- the celebration of efforts and achievements