Head of English

Lead, inspire, and shape the future of English at Downe House Muscat – we are seeking a Head of English to drive excellence across our thriving department from August 2026.

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.

Downe House Muscat proudly stands as the world’s first authentic international girls’ school established in partnership with a leading all-girls’ school from England. Drawing on over 117 years of world‑class British education from Downe House in the UK, we bring a premium British education tailored to the international context of Oman.

We operate a co‑educational school from KG1 to Grade 4, transitioning to an all‑girls environment from Grade 5 to Grade 12, ensuring a strong, focused girls’ education in the upper years.

Our mission is to inspire and challenge every student, nurturing confident young women who are ready to make their mark on the world.

• A first-class British education leading to IGCSE, A Level and Omani GED examinations.
• Academic excellence in education, empowering each student to achieve their personal best.
• Outstanding pastoral care supporting personal growth, well‑being and character development.
• Broad co‑curricular opportunities that enrich learning and foster creativity, leadership and independence.

Everything at Downe House Muscat is designed to encourage intellectual curiosity, nurture individual talents and foster a culture of inclusivity and respect. With a personalised approach, including individualised tutoring and a comprehensive pastoral system, we ensure every student thrives from the moment they join our school.

Located in the Al Bandar Masterplan, near Muscat International Airport and key residential areas, our state‑of‑the‑art campus offers exceptional learning facilities, including:

• A STEM Centre and IT labs
• Art and Design studios
• A 400‑seat theatre, plus music and drama classrooms
• Dedicated libraries and a central atrium

At Downe House Muscat, we strive to deliver an education that goes beyond academics, fostering intellectual appetite, creativity, confidence and a global mindset. We invite you to join us on this exceptional journey of growth, learning and empowerment.

We are looking for an exceptional leader to oversee our English department, ensuring all students make excellent progress and enjoy learning English. The post holder will inspire colleagues, contribute to the wider life of the school, and maintain high academic and pastoral standards.

• Actively promote the school’s vision and values.
• Set high expectations that inspire and support colleagues and students.
• Model the use of English in public areas and respect Omani culture.
• Contribute to extra‑curricular activities.

• Provide clear, inspiring leadership for the English team.
• Build a shared vision and foster enthusiasm for English across all abilities.
• Hold teachers accountable for student progress and ensure high‑quality teaching.
• Establish consistent practices for assessment, marking, and curriculum delivery.
• Lead team meetings, monitor teaching, and oversee departmental data.
• Manage departmental resources and budget responsibly.
• Support whole‑school development through subject reviews and planning.