Founding Head of Secondary

Founding Head of Secondary – RAK Academy, Al Hamra Campus (Opening August 2026)

Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Academic Year 2026–2027

RAK Academy – one of the UAE’s oldest and most respected not-for-profit school groups – is excited to announce a rare and prestigious leadership opportunity. We are seeking an exceptional Founding Head of Secondary to launch and lead the brand-new secondary phase of our Al Hamra campus, opening in August 2026.

This is a career-defining role for an innovative, strategic, and inspiring school leader who is passionate about building a school from the ground up.

About RAK Academy – Al Hamra Campus

RAK Academy has served families for nearly 50 years, delivering inclusive, high-quality British education across Ras Al Khaimah.
The Al Hamra Campus, currently a thriving primary school, will become a full British all-through school (Pre-K to Grade 12) from 2026

The new secondary school will offer:

• GCSEs, A Levels, and BTEC pathways
• A strong culture of inclusion, wellbeing, and academic ambition
• Signature strengths in:
• Sustainability education
• Golf and sailing programmes
• Advanced mathematics and analytical thinking
• Coastal and environmental learning linked to RAK’s unique landscape

The Role: Founding Head of Secondary

• As Founding Head of Secondary, you will:
• Lead the strategic establishment and rapid growth of a new secondary school
• Build and develop high-performing teaching teams
• Ensure excellence across curriculum, teaching, learning, assessment, wellbeing, and operations
• Guarantee full compliance with UAE regulatory frameworks and inspection standards
• Shape a pioneering culture grounded in RAK Academy’s values:
  Learning excellence with a community heart
• Represent the school confidently within the local community and strengthen key partnerships

This is a rare opportunity to define the identity, culture, and direction of a new school from day one.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are seeking a leader who brings:

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (Education or related field) or NPQH
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Application Pack (Founding Head…

Experience

• Strong senior leadership experience in a British-curriculum secondary school
• Proven success in school improvement and inspection readiness (UAE/BSO/Ofsted)
• Experience with GCSE, A Level, and BTEC programmes
• Experience founding or expanding a school (advantageous)

Competencies

• Visionary leadership with excellent communication skills
• Deep knowledge of international inspection frameworks
• Ability to build high-performance teams and drive rapid improvement
• Financial literacy and strategic resource management

Why Live and Work in Ras Al Khaimah?

Ras Al Khaimah offers an exceptional quality of life with:

• Beautiful beaches, mountains, and outdoor activities
• A relaxed, family-friendly lifestyle
• Lower cost of living compared to Dubai
• Easy access to Dubai and global travel routes

Attractive Tax-Free Compensation Package

• Competitive salary + housing allowance
• Flights for employee and dependents
• Comprehensive medical insurance
• Annual travel allowance
• Two free school places for children (18 and under)