Assistant Head Teacher - Pastoral

The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai is looking for an Assistant Head Teacher - Pastoral for an August 2026 start.

The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD) seeks an exceptional, dynamic, and innovative leader to establish and drive the pastoral framework as the school prepares for its first-ever GCSE results in 2027. This pioneering role requires a strategic, forward-thinking individual to shape the pastoral, wellbeing, and safeguarding framework for the Senior School, while also overseeing critical whole-school pastoral systems and operations.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the Assistant Head Teacher – Pastoral will play a crucial role in whole-school leadership, taking on responsibilities that extend beyond their designated remit as needed. The successful candidate will be instrumental in maintaining and enhancing the pastoral culture and student wellbeing of RGSGD during this pivotal phase of the school's development.

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.

At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger; ensuring they get an education that’s, quite literally, world class.

RGSGD is designed for boys and girls aged from 3 to 18. We currently welcome students from FS1 to Year 10, and the school will grow year by year.

Our school embodies the ethos and values that have underpinned the Royal Grammar School Guildford in the UK for over 500 years. These, combined with a spirit of innovation and development, will prepare pupils for the challenges of the 21st and 22nd centuries. We lead by example, stay true to our values, innovate, collaborate and strive to be the very best we can be.

The Assistant Head Teacher – Pastoral will be responsible for the successful implementation and oversight of pastoral care for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4, ensuring students thrive emotionally, socially, and physically while developing the character, resilience, and wellbeing needed for Sixth Form and beyond. They will lead on the pastoral structure, safeguarding, and student support systems, working closely with SLT to embed high expectations.

Student leadership and holistic development will be crucial aspects.

In addition to Pastoral leadership, this role encompasses critical whole-school pastoral operations including safeguarding oversight, wellbeing initiatives, PASS data analysis, Rewards Week organisation, liaison with nurses and counsellors, healthy living and eating programmes, catering oversight, assemblies, and student leadership development. The post-holder must possess a compassionate, systematic approach, be highly proficient with pastoral software systems, and demonstrate exceptional attention to detail in safeguarding and wellbeing matters.

Line Management:

Heads of Year (all year groups), School Counsellors, and Student Leadership Coordinators.

• Design, implement, and lead the pastoral structure ensuring smooth transition from Prep to Senior
• Drive pastoral excellence, ensuring the first GCSE cohort (Class of 2027) receives outstanding support and guidance
• Develop and oversee the wellbeing framework, ensuring tailored support for students as they navigate this rigorous phase
• Lead on pastoral tracking and interventions, ensuring targeted support for students who require additional guidance

• Act as Deputy DSL, ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding across the school
• Overs…