Director of Sport - August 2027

Taaleem is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We hold ourselves to a high standard of effective practices in relation to child protection and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment.

All successful applicants must be willing to undergo enhanced child protection screening appropriate to the post, including various background checks including, receipt of high-quality references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification and police checks, including overseas checks. No member of staff will be able to start until these checks are complete and this process takes, on average, a month. 

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is seeking an exceptional Director of Sport to join the founding team and become part of the legacy.

As part of our founding team, you will play a pivotal role in building a vibrant and inclusive community where the learning of every individual is at the heart of daily life. Guided by the Harrow values, our staff will create an environment in which every pupil is nurtured, challenged, and empowered to achieve their very best.

Within our state-of-the-art facilities, you will help establish a culture of academic and sporting excellence, creativity, and curiosity, ensuring that Harrow International School Abu Dhabi quickly takes its place among the leading international schools of the region.

Joining Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is not only an opportunity to teach — it is an invitation to shape and inspire generations to come.

The Director of Sport will provide strategic vision and exemplary leadership in the design and delivery of a world-class sports programme at Harrow International School. The post-holder will ensure that sport remains a distinctive and integral aspect of school life fully embedded within the academic curriculum and the wider co-curricular programme. The role requires a balance between promoting broad participation and establishing pathways for high performance, enabling every pupil via the games model to engage meaningfully in sport at an appropriate level.

The Director of Sport will hold accountability for shaping and sustaining a culture where sports reflect Harrow’s values of Courage, Honour, Humility and Fellowship and enhances the school’s holistic educational vision, ensuring that strategic design and cultural alignment underpin all aspects of the programme. 

Key Accountabilities 

Strategic Leadership and Management Responsibility: 

• Develop and deliver a clear vision for sport that reflects Harrow’s ethos and long-term goals. 

• Lead the strategic planning, development, and evaluation of the school’s sporting provision across all year groups. 

• Embed strategic design principles into the planning and delivery of all sports initiatives, ensuring coherence with Harrow’s long-term vision. 

• Promote high standards of performance and participation in all School sports. 

• Ensure that students, staff, parents, prospective students, and all other contributing parties understand the School’s Coaching Philosophy and Vision for Sport. 

• Encourage the sharing of best practice across all sports. 

• Keep the Head Master and respective school leadership team informed of national initiatives in sport with potential impact on Harrow, and advise them on the potential future development of sport at the School 

• Manage departmental budgets, facilities, and resources efficiently. 

• Take accountability for the cultivation of a positive sporting culture that champions inclusivity, resilience, and character development. 

• Promote Harrow’s reputation for culture of excellence, teamwork, and sportsmanship. 

Programme Development and Delivery: 

• Design and implement a broad and inclusive sports curriculum that encourages lifelong engagement and implement a progressive, age-appropriate curriculum that supports skill development, physical literacy, and a love for sport across all year groups. 

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