Director of Inclusion

Job Headline

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is seeking an inspirational and exceptional Director of Inclusion to join the founding team and become part of the legacy.

Job Description

Taaleem is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We hold ourselves to a high standard of effective practices in relation to child protection and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment.

All successful applicants must be willing to undergo enhanced child protection screening appropriate to the post, including various background checks including, receipt of high-quality references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification and police checks, including overseas checks. No member of staff will be able to start until these checks are complete and this process takes, on average, a month.

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is seeking an exceptional Director of Inclusion to join the founding team and become part of the legacy.

As part of our founding team, you will play a pivotal role in building a vibrant and inclusive community where the learning of every individual is at the heart of daily life. Guided by the Harrow values, our staff will create an environment in which every pupil is nurtured, challenged, and empowered to achieve their very best.

Within our state-of-the-art facilities, you will help establish a culture of academic and sporting excellence, creativity, and curiosity, ensuring that Harrow International School Abu Dhabi quickly takes its place among the leading international schools of the region.

Joining Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is not only an opportunity to teach — it is an invitation to shape and inspire generations to come.

The Director of Inclusion will lead and coordinate the provision for pupils identified as Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), English Language Learners (ELL) and Gifted and Talented (G&T) ensuring that every child is enabled to thrive academically, socially and personally in line with the Harrow Values and high expectations of the School. The post holder will champion inclusion across the School, supporting teachers, parents, and external specialists in delivering personalised support that upholds Harrow’s commitment to academic excellence and holistic education.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the School’s SEND, ELL and G&T policy in alignment with Harrow International Schools’ ethos and best practice in British independent education.

• Lead the strategic direction and development of SEND, ELL and G&T provision, ensuring inclusion is embedded across the curriculum and wider school life.

• Advise senior leadership on matters relating to SEND, ELL and G&T as well as wider inclusion, and accessibility within the school. Keep abreast of ADEK regulations and ensure departmental compliance.

• Foster a culture of inclusion and diversity within the school community, promoting understanding, acceptance, and respect for all individuals.

• Use data and evidence-based strategies to monitor, review and refine SEND, ELL and G&T provision.

Identification & Assessment

• Implement and oversee the identification, assessment, and monitoring of pupils with additional support needs.

• Coordinate diagnostic assessments and maintain accurate records of pupils receiving SEND and ELL support.

• Ensure all statutory and school-based requirements relating to Inclusion are fully met.

Teaching and Learning

• Support teachers in planning and delivering high-quality, differentiated lessons that meet the needs of all learners.

• Model outstanding practice in inclusive teaching and provide targeted interventions where appropriate.

• Monitor the progress of pupils with SEND, both within lessons and against their individual starting points, ensuring ambitious goals are set and achieved. This includes the development and review of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) as appropriate.

Collaboration & Professional Development

• Work in close partnership with staff, parents, and external specialists to design and implement effective support plans.

• Deliver training and guidance for colleagues on inclusive pedagogy, support strategies, and classroom adaptations.

• Mentor colleagues to build confidence and competence in differentiation, intervention and progress monitoring.

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and professional learning within the area of SEND, ELL and G&T.

Pastoral & Whole-School Contribution

• Ensure that all pupils are fully included in the life of the School, both academically and pastorally.

• Contribute to safeguarding and wellbeing by working with pastoral leaders to provide tailored support.

• Play an active role in the wider life of the School, consistent with the expectations of all Harrow teachers.

Skills Description

Qualifications and Experience

• Deep understanding of best practice in SEND provision and inclusive pedagogy.
• Strong knowledge of assessment, intervention, and progress tracking for SEND pupils.
• Ability to inspire and support colleagues in inclusive practice.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.

Essential

• Degree in Special Education or a related field and a Teaching Certification. A Master's degree is preferred.
• Postgraduate qualification in SEND (e.g., NASENCO or equivalent).
• Demonstrable experience in leading SEND provision within a high-performing school, ideally within the British independent or international sector.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Leadership and Personal Qualities

• Inspirational leadership with the ability to articulate and deliver a strategic vision.
• A genuine love of working with young people and commitment to their holistic development.
• Solutions-focused, with the highest levels of professionalism.
• Collaborative, resilient and innovative in approach.
• Willingness to embrace Harrow’s broad environment and approach to all-round education.

School Values and Behaviours

All staff are expected to conduct themselves in line with the school’s values which are: Courage, Honour, Humility and Fellowship. While the School’s values set out what matters most to us, the behaviours below are intended as a shared set of expectations to refer to, and standards to aspire to, in our dealings with others. They are the practical application of our values.

COURAGE

• We remain optimistic and purposeful in a disrupted world.
• We take responsibility for our decisions, even the hard ones.
• We always challenge poor behaviour in ourselves and others.
• We are open to new ideas, and seek fresh challenges.

HONOUR

• We keep our promises.
• We act with integrity – doing the right thing, even when it is difficult or when no one is watching.
• We respect and value our traditions whilst setting them in the context of today.

HUMILITY

• We work hard to serve others within the School and across our wider communities where possible putting their interests before our own.
• We give and seek honest and appropriate feedback, reflect on our failures and learn from them.
• We support each other through challenges and whatever the outcome, we celebrate those that took part.

FELLOWSHIP

• We respect each other and value our differences, knowing that we are more effective and more resilient working together.
• We are kind and inclusive; we value the contribution that each of us makes.
• We role model the behaviours that we would like to see in others; we ask only of others what we would be prepared to do ourselves.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are values that are important to us at Taaleem. We believe in diversity of thought and actively welcome everyone regardless of their background to bring their valuable and relevant skills to our community.

Note: It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

This advertisement is posted on behalf of Harrow International School Abu Dhabi which is part of the group owned by Taaleem Holdings PJSC and independently operated under a licence to use the Harrow School brand. For further details of the relationship, please see the relationship statement on the harrowdubai.ae website. Accordingly, applicants should be aware that the employer will be part of Taaleem Holdings PJSC’s group and under its control and not Harrow School.