Head of EYFS - August 2026 (Female Only)

Downe House Riyadh is seeking a passionate, experienced, and committed Head of EYFS to join our thriving school community from August 2026. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead and shape early childhood education within a world-class school environment.

About Cognita

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.

About Downe House Riyadh

Opened in September 2022, Downe House Riyadh delivers a world-class British curriculum in partnership with one of the UK’s most celebrated girls-only private schools. With over a century of excellence, Downe House UK consistently ranks among the country’s top five all-girls’ schools.

Located in the prestigious Aqeeq neighbourhood in northern Riyadh, the school offers a British curriculum enriched with Downe House UK’s tradition and expertise. The programme is carefully adapted for Saudi Arabia, ensuring girls achieve excellence in Arabic and Islamic Studies alongside core subjects.

The close partnership between the Riyadh and UK schools is evident in both philosophy and practice. At the heart of the Downe House ethos is the individual: every girl’s strength, challenges, and interests are recognised, with bespoke pathways that foster confidence and success.

Downe House Riyadh offers

• A first-class British education leading to IGCSEs and A Levels
• Academic excellence in girls’ education
• Exceptional pastoral care and opportunities for personal growth
• A wide range of co-curricular activities

The school nurtures intellectual curiosity, creativity, and respect for others through strong pastoral systems, personalised tutoring, and a spotlight on every student.

School Structure

• Pre-Prep: Nursery to Year 2 (ages 2–7)
• Prep: Year 3 to Year 8 (ages 7–13)
• Senior: Year 9 to Year 13 (ages 13–18)

Boys and girls are admitted from Pre-School to Year 4.

The state-of-the-art campus features dedicated libraries, central atriums, science and design labs, art studios, a 450-seat theatre, music, dance, and drama facilities, IT labs, and both senior and learner swimming pools.

Job Overview

The Head of EYFS will foster a phase culture that fully reflects the school’s values and ethos. They will promote and secure the highest standards of teaching, learning, behaviour, pupil progress, and achievement across EYFS.

The Head of EYFS will ensure that a first-class, well-rounded curriculum is delivered effectively and that pupils are fully engaged in both academic and extra-curricular activities. The role also involves supporting the Principal in promoting the school and managing pupil admissions into Downe House Riyadh.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Serve as a positive role model in leadership, teaching, and behaviour.
• Lead and manage day-to-day operations within EYFS.
• Ensure all children in the phase receive an outstanding education.
• Coordinate lesson delivery, activities, and opportunities that extend learning.
• Ensure planning at all levels (long-, medium-, weekly) is coherent and effective.
• Maintain documentation, evidence, and tracking systems that demonstrate pupil progress.
• Oversee pastoral care within EYFS and ensure a well-structured pastoral programme.
• Maintain discipline aligned with school behaviour policies and model professionalism.
• Plan and deliver weekly assemblies with the EYFS team.
• Support the Principal in admissions, including tours, assessments, and marketing events.
• Drive parent engagement and ensure families are well informed about their child’s learning and progress.
• Lead department meetings and report to the Principal.
• Support staff wellbeing, providing pastoral support to team members.
• Keep updated with educational developments and recommend best practices.
• Participate in school development planning and quality assurance.

Teaching & Learning

• Fulfil the expectations of an excellent teacher at Downe House Riyadh.
• Act as a role model in classroom practice.
• Support teachers to deliver high-quality learning experiences.
• Lead departmental CPD and mentor new teachers.
• Monitor planning, assessment, moderation, and tracking of pupil progress.
• Ensure strong transition arrangements across phases.
• Oversee homework, prep tasks, and extra-curricular provision.
• Ensure high-quality learning displays and visibility of EYFS across the school.

Operational Responsibilities

• Ensure effective communication among teachers and teaching assistants.
• Audit and manage departmental resources within budget.
• Lead the organisation of events, productions, assemblies, and curriculum trips.
• Ensure correct procedures for risk assessments and school policies.
• Support parent meetings and reporting cycles.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Follow all safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate a strong personal commitment to child protection and wellbeing.
• Fully participate in mandatory safeguarding training.

Successful candidates will have

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, QTS, PGCE, or equivalent.
• Minimum five years of relevant teaching experience.
• Minimum two years of proven leadership experience within EYFS.
• Experience of working in a British curriculum school.
• Experience in curriculum development.
• Knowledge of educational developments and best practices.
• A passion for working with children and a commitment to fostering their academic and personal growth.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience of adding value to a reputable educational organisation.
• Experience of working as a team member in a school environment.
• Experience of maintaining confidentiality.
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural setting.

Why Join Downe House Riyadh?

• Be part of a prestigious, globally connected school with a reputation for excellence.
• Work within a supportive and professional team that values collaboration and innovation.
• Gain experience in a dynamic international school setting while contributing to a meaningful short-term project.

Our Offer

The successful candidate will benefit from an attractive tax-free salary. In addition, there will be a significant commitment to supporting the development and career goals of the successful candidates.

Applications can be submitted via the TES online application form, only fully completed application will be processed. To support your application, please include your current, up-to-date CV.

Interviews will take place online/ in person.

The school reserves the right to interview and appoint strong candidates before the official closing date, and therefore we would encourage candidates to apply early in the process.

Thank you for your interest in Downe House Riyadh. Due to the large number of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Downe House Riyadh School and Cognita are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees.

All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 10 years.