POST: Head of Primary Music at Safa Community School, Dubai

About Safa Community School

Safa Community School is a beacon of excellence. In 2024 we were honoured with the ‘Happiest School in the UAE’ title, a testament to our commitment to student wellbeing. We were also proud recipients of the ‘Value Add, Leaving No Child Behind Award’, reflecting our dedication to academic progress, underscored by our 2026 GCSE VA score of +2.2. Our high staff retention and our place among the top 15 schools in the UAE in the SchoolsCompared.com survey are a source of pride for us all.

We are more than just a school – we are a community. Our parent body is made up of expatriate families, around 35% of them from the UK, and we have built a reputation for being friendly, warm and community-oriented. Positive relationships among staff, parents and students reflect our inclusive approach and make everyone feel part of a larger family. This sense of belonging sets us apart and should make you feel at home in our school.

Safa is an award-winning, all-through UK curriculum school from FS1 to Year 13, with 2,640 students. Follow our school Instagram channel, @safa_scs, for a glimpse into our vibrant community, student achievements and community events. Discover how we nurture talent, foster creativity and build a thriving environment for every student.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a dynamic, passionate and inspiring Head of Music to lead music across our Primary school, from FS1 to Year 6. The successful candidate will set the vision for music in the Primary phase, deliver outstanding teaching, and build a vibrant musical culture of singing, performance, instrumental learning and enjoyment that connects with our wider school community.

This role is being advertised as part of our strategic growth to meet increasing student enrolment and programme demand.

The Head of Music will teach across the Primary age and ability range and will lead the Primary music provision, working closely with the Primary leadership team and with music colleagues in the Secondary school to ensure a coherent, progressive experience from FS1 through to Year 13.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership of Music

• Lead, manage and develop music provision across the Primary school, including any music teachers and visiting or peripatetic instrumental staff.

• Develop and communicate a clear vision and improvement plan for Primary music, aligned with the school’s strategic priorities.

• Take responsibility for departmental self-evaluation, monitoring of teaching and learning, and standards of attainment and progress in music.

• Manage the music budget, resources, instruments and teaching spaces.

• Build strong transition links with Secondary music so that students’ learning is continuous and progressive.

• Familiarise yourself with the DSIB inspection framework and lead music in demonstrating outstanding teaching and learning in the UAE context.

Curriculum and Teaching

• Design, review and deliver an engaging, sequenced music curriculum for FS1–Year 6, in line with the UK National Curriculum, that develops singing, listening, composing, performing and musical understanding.

• Plan and prepare lessons, set and mark work, and assess, record and report on student progress and attainment in line with the school’s expectations and policy.

• Use data to inform teaching, monitor and track student progress, and put timely interventions in place.

• Communicate and consult with parents, including writing reports, and attend Parents’ Evenings and Open Evenings.

• Maintain good order and discipline among the students you teach.

• Work collaboratively with class teachers and support teachers in the classroom.

• Keep up to date with curriculum innovation and developments in music education, and take part in CPD.

Performance and Enrichment

• Lead and oversee Primary music performances, including concerts, assemblies, seasonal productions and community events.

• Develop and run co-curricular music, such as choirs, ensembles, orchestra, recorder groups and instrumental programmes, so that as many students as possible take part.

• Coordinate instrumental tuition and explore external partnerships, festivals, workshops and graded music examination pathways.

• Promote the work of the department through the school’s website and social media, celebrating student achievement.

General Professional Responsibilities

• Work as a member of a team in shaping school and departmental policy and practice, introducing curricular initiatives, and developing programmes of study and methods of teaching and assessment.

• Take part in meetings, administrative and organisational tasks that keep the department and school running smoothly.

• Support and mentor beginning teachers where appropriate.

• Set work for classes where absence is known in advance, and for absent colleagues where required.

• Carry out other tasks as reasonably directed by the Head of Primary or Senior Leadership Team.

• Be supportive of UAE initiatives and cultural expectations.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will:

• Hold relevant qualifications, including a degree and a recognised teaching qualification.

• Have experience teaching music in British curriculum schools, ideally in a Primary or all-through setting, with a strong understanding of the Primary National Curriculum.

• Have experience of leading music or a significant area of the curriculum, or demonstrate clear readiness for a first leadership role.

• Be an outstanding practitioner who can demonstrate outstanding practice and student progress, and who inspires young children to love music.

• Have an understanding of assessment requirements across the Primary phase, and of how Primary music prepares students for KS3 and beyond.

• Have a proven track record of leading choirs, ensembles and performances.

• Be enthusiastic about music and able to convey this to students and colleagues.

• Work effectively as part of a team.

• Keep up to date with developments in the subject.

• Show a willingness to develop as a professional, taking opportunities to train further within the school or outside to progress in their career.

This job description will be reviewed regularly and may be subject to modification and amendment.

Application Process

Closing date for applications: Friday, 11th December 2026 at 10h00 UAE time.

• All applications must be submitted via the TES/Schrole Portal. Only applications submitted through the Portal will be considered.

• Only applications from candidates with experience of teaching music in British curriculum schools will be considered.

• Submit an up-to-date, full CV.

• Submit a covering letter of no more than two A4 pages.

• Provide at least three referees, with names, telephone numbers (including international dialling codes) and email addresses. One must be a current employer.

Applications will be assessed in order of receipt, and interviews may take place at any stage after applications are received. We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date and therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Once initial interviews are concluded, arrangements will be made individually with candidates who will progress to the second round. A demonstration lesson will be required.

Upon request, feedback will only be provided to candidates who progress to the interview stages.