Dean of Students

Company Description Ignite School is a KG1–Grade 12 American curriculum school in Dubai serving Emirati and expatriate learners. The school's vision is that all young people experience learning as relevant beyond their time in school and are prepared to be innovative, responsible, and confident global citizens. Ignite School follows a rigorous, student-centered curriculum aligned with New York State P–12 Common Core learning standards, while maintaining strong relevance to UAE life and culture. The well-being of every learner is a core priority, with a focus on ensuring that students feel happy, safe, accepted, and valued alongside achieving above curriculum and international standards.

Role Description The Dean of Students is a full-time, on-site role based at Ignite School in Dubai. This role oversees student conduct, behavior management, and the implementation of school policies that promote a positive, inclusive learning environment. The Dean of Students works closely with learners, families, and staff to provide counseling support, guide student leadership initiatives, and coordinate activities that foster school culture and community engagement. Daily responsibilities include monitoring student attendance and behavior, responding to concerns, leading restorative practices, supporting residence life or pastoral care functions as applicable, and collaborating with educational leaders to align student life with academic goals. The role requires active participation in school events, ongoing communication with stakeholders, and consistent modeling of the school's values and expectations.

Department: Student Affairs / Pastoral Care

Location: School Campus

Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Purpose

The Dean of Students is responsible for promoting a safe, positive, inclusive, and supportive school environment in which students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.

The role provides strategic and day-to-day leadership of student wellbeing, behaviour, discipline, attendance, student engagement, and pastoral systems. The Dean works closely with school leadership, teachers, counsellors, parents, and support staff to ensure that student-related matters are managed consistently, fairly, and in accordance with school policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities1. Student Behaviour and Discipline

• Lead and oversee the school's student behaviour and discipline processes.
• Ensure that behaviour expectations and consequences are applied consistently and fairly.
• Investigate and manage significant student behaviour incidents and disciplinary cases.
• Maintain accurate records of disciplinary incidents, interventions, and outcomes.
• Work with teachers and school leaders to develop appropriate behaviour interventions and support plans.
• Monitor recurring behaviour concerns and identify patterns requiring further intervention.
• Support restorative practices and strategies that promote accountability and positive behaviour.
• Escalate serious or repeated concerns to the appropriate member of the Senior Leadership Team.

2. Student Wellbeing and Pastoral Care

• Promote a positive school culture focused on student wellbeing, belonging, respect, and inclusion.
• Work closely with school counsellors and pastoral staff to identify and support students requiring additional assistance.
• Monitor students who may be experiencing academic, social, behavioural, or personal difficulties.
• Coordinate appropriate interventions and follow-up support.
• Ensure student concerns are appropriately documented, managed, and escalated where required.
• Promote student voice and encourage students to take an active role in the school community.

3. Attendance and Student Engagement

• Monitor student attendance, punctuality, and patterns of absence.
• Work with relevant staff and parents to address persistent attendance or punctuality concerns.
• Identify students who may be disengaged from school and coordinate appropriate interventions.
• Support initiatives designed to improve attendance, participation, and student engagement.

4. Safeguarding and Student Protection

• Work collaboratively with the school's safeguarding team to promote student safety and welfare.
• Follow all school safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Report and escalate safeguarding concerns in accordance with school requirements.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality when dealing with sensitive student matters.
• Contribute to safeguarding education, awareness, and prevention initiatives.

5. Parent and Community Relations

• Serve as a key point of contact for parents and guardians regarding significant student behaviour, wellbeing, attendance, and pastoral matters.
• Conduct meetings with parents to discuss concerns, interventions, and student progress.
• Communicate professionally and constructively, particularly when dealing with sensitive or challenging situations.
• Build positive relationships with families and promote partnership between home and school.

6. Student Leadership and Activities

• Support and develop student leadership opportunities.
• Encourage student participation in school activities, events, clubs, and community initiatives.
• Support student councils and other student leadership structures.
• Promote student responsibility, leadership, citizenship, and positive contribution to the school community.

7. School Culture and Community

• Promote the school's values, expectations, and standards of conduct.
• Contribute to initiatives that strengthen school culture, student belonging, and community spirit.
• Support the organisation and delivery of assemblies, student events, campaigns, and wellbeing initiatives.
• Act as a visible and approachable presence around the school campus.

8. Staff Support and Collaboration

• Provide guidance to teachers and staff regarding student behaviour, pastoral concerns, and appropriate interventions.
• Work collaboratively with Heads of School, Heads of Department, Year Leaders, Counsellors, SEN/SEND staff, and other relevant teams.
• Support staff in implementing consistent behaviour and pastoral expectations.
• Deliver or coordinate staff training related to student behaviour, wellbeing, safeguarding, and pastoral care where appropriate.

9. Data, Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate student records relating to behaviour, attendance, wellbeing, and interventions.
• Analyse student behaviour and attendance data to identify trends and areas requiring action.
• Prepare reports for school leadership as required.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of student support and behaviour systems.
• Recommend improvements to policies, procedures, and student support programmes.

10. Leadership and School Operations

• Contribute to the development and implementation of school policies relating to students.
• Participate in leadership meetings and relevant school committees.
• Support the Principal and Vice Principal with student-related matters and school-wide initiatives.
• Assist with crisis management and major student incidents when required.
• Undertake other duties reasonably assigned by the Principal or designated member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, Leadership, or a related field.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification or leadership qualification is desirable.
• Previous experience in a school-based pastoral, student affairs, behaviour, safeguarding, or leadership role.
• Experience managing complex student behaviour and wellbeing matters.
• Experience working collaboratively with parents, teachers, school leaders, and external professionals.
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and child protection practices.
• Experience in an international or multicultural school environment is desirable.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong understanding of student behaviour, wellbeing, and pastoral care.
• Excellent conflict-resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Strong organisational and case-management skills.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
• Strong decision-making and judgement.
• Ability to work effectively with students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
• Proficiency in maintaining accurate records and using student information systems.
• Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, student wellbeing, and educational excellence.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Integrity and professionalism.
• Empathy and emotional maturity.
• Fairness, consistency, and sound judgement.
• A student-centred approach.
• Resilience and composure.
• Strong accountability and ownership.
• Collaborative and approachable leadership.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ability to build trust with students, parents, and colleagues.

Key Performance Areas

Performance in the role may be assessed against:

• Effectiveness of student behaviour and discipline systems.
• Student wellbeing and pastoral support.
• Attendance and punctuality improvement.
• Consistency and effectiveness of behaviour interventions.
• Quality and timeliness of student case management and documentation.
• Parent and student engagement.
• Safeguarding compliance.
• Student leadership and engagement initiatives.
• Staff support and collaboration.
• Contribution to a positive and inclusive school culture.