Curriculum Lead

ABOUT (UN) SCHOOL:

We are a disruptive school start-up, and our purpose, the reason we exist, is to shape the next generation of global stewards who will build a braver tomorrow for all.

By reimagining education, we believe that the world is a living classroom, and we will bring to life an endless learning philosophy whereby the concept of stewardship for the land, its life, its creatures, and all its people - is the core, guiding principle.

Our ethos is about promoting human flourishing by putting relationships, personal wellbeing, and a strong connection to nature at the core of the learning process.

We view learning as a holistic journey and we're well positioned to advance an educational model that allows for real world continuous learning involving the learner, their caretakers, their community, and the environment around them.

Our learning approach is grounded in and inspired by the Islamic faith, Emirati culture, and the Arabic language, based on our location.

For our learners, we will strengthen character, connection, and curiosity alongside real-world subjects and skills, using an inquiry, project-based methodology.

We will inspire our learners and our learning community to take on the big challenges of today and tomorrow with confidence and purpose. We value diversity and we will implement heart-led inclusive practices that transcend borders and cultures, constantly expanding our circle of influence.

The impact our disruptive start-up will make will depend upon building a team who not only understand education, but are familiar with its strengths, its limitations, and its unlimited potential.

Join us in redefining education and empowering students to thrive in a dynamic world!

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

We are looking to add to our team of brave pioneers by recruiting a Curriculum Lead.

We are doing something completely new and the more clearly, we can express and share this the more on board all will be, so excellent communications and collaboration skills will be needed by everyone in our team.

Your journey has led you to dream of a world where each child's needs are being met, learning is engaging and inspirational, and your contribution to it requires you to thread together multiple disciplines like educational research, human psychology, and local context.

You are looking for a place where you can impact future generations and you are someone who is nourished by applying themselves wholly to their work and to growth. You are fascinated with play-based, nature-based, and experiential learning approaches and you have a deep respect and knowledge of the region's culture, faith, and language.

As a member of our senior leadership team, you will be someone who can think strategically and use your extensive expertise to lead, inspire and guide others.

We will hire someone who fully embraces our pedagogical approach, can easily build rapport with learners of all ages, works systematically, achieves deadlines, and offers creative solutions and ways forward.

We want to bring to the team a committed self-starter, who has the humility to learn from their experience and the confidence to apply new and innovative approaches.

We value educational degrees as well as educational experience, and we absolutely respect and expect to hire someone with intelligence, self-awareness, motivation, and ambition. We are moving quickly, so you will need to show that you can think creatively, deliberate clearly, and move decisively.

We expect your prior work experience and current interests to represent what you can do for us, and you will bring your own flavour and flair to our community. You will have familiarity with a variety of learning methods and styles as diversity is always more resilient, and you will have in depth knowledge of curriculum development in schools that have not followed a traditional approach to education.

You will have a strong connection to young people and are excited and willing to share in interests and passions with learners in fun and engaging ways, as engaging with the whole community.

We are breaking new ground so we will need to pivot and pirouette, and you will be someone who is flexible and adaptable in a variety of contexts to respond accordingly.

You will bring the right game changing mindset to the table and be enthusiastic about designing the future of learning and developing an innovative curriculum alongside our team.

ROLE PURPOSE:

To develop the curriculum to ensure that it is aligned with the school strategic development plan and support the whole academic team in the effective implementation of the curriculum.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Embrace and encourage the ethos, values, culture, and standards of excellence of the (Un) School.

Develop, implement, and evaluate of all aspects of the integrated curriculum that ensures both horizontal and vertical continuity in the learning program.

Ensure that the curriculum is aligned with KHDA standards and is age appropriate for all learners.

Work with other facilitators (both academic staff on site and third-party providers) to provide a rich and dynamic learning environment that aligns with the values of the school.

Coach and support the whole academic team in the effective implementation of the curriculum and learning strategies, observe staff on their use of these strategies and provide effective feedback.

Advise in the development of curriculum elements such as assessment, resources, and lesson plans.

Evaluate continuously both the appropriateness and quality of the curriculum.

Develop a curriculum policy and implementation procedures, ensure the clarity and accuracy of these documents, and provide guidance for academic staff in their use.

Use research data on curriculum trends, stay well-informed of new developments in curriculum design and provide leadership in determining their appropriateness for inclusion in the school educational program.

Collaborate with other school staff in identifying appropriate learning resources and keep them accessible and up to date.

Recommend to the Principal the addition of new learning experiences and oversee the curriculum development of these programs.

Maintain a curriculum reference library for use by all academic staff.

Take note of all comments from the academic team about the curriculum, analyze the data and integrate it into the program wherever applicable.

Recommend and deploy all best practices according to the latest trends, wherever applicable in the curriculum.

Become deeply ingrained in all aspects of our learning community, including engaging with families, events, initiatives, and programs.

Demonstrate care and professionalism to support the wellbeing of the team and learning community.

Engage in mentoring and supporting others in the academic team.

Support and uphold the agreed policies and practices of the (Un) School.

Note:

The above details are not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake tasks, roles and responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned to him/her.

This role description may be reviewed at any time as may be necessary and appropriate to meet the needs of the school.

SKILLS

Bachelors degree in education or graduated in a specialist degree with a post graduate education qualification such as PGCE.

Extensive and versatile experience and expertise in curriculum development in non-traditional school environments.

Ideally leadership experience as a member of the SLT in innovative, forward thinking and unconventional school environments.

Fluent in English and ideally fluent in Arabic and have lived in (or currently reside in) the UAE.

Ability to work collaboratively with the school whole team and wider learning community.

Creative, innovative, flexible, and adaptable.

Passionate about education and learning, with a particular interest in project based and experiential learning.

Excellent communication skills.

Strong organizational and planning skills.

Skilled in problem-solving and critical thinking.

Familiarity with a variety of learning methods and styles.