Job description

Creative Children International School is seeking a highly qualified and experienced School Principal. The successful candidate will serve as the academic and administrative head of the school, providing visionary leadership across all educational, therapeutic, and operational functions. This role demands a principled educator and strategic leader who is deeply committed to inclusive education and to the holistic development of every student in their care.

Key Responsibilities:Academic & Curriculum Leadership:

• Oversee the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of the school curriculum in alignment with Common Core standards and MoE requirements.
• Ensure all teaching and learning practices are evidence-based, differentiated, and adapted to meet the diverse needs of students with varying abilities and conditions.
• Monitor classroom instruction and therapy sessions through regular observation, providing constructive feedback and professional guidance to staff.
• Lead the design, review, and quality assurance of all Individual Education Plans (IEPs), ensuring they are implemented consistently and reviewed on schedule.
• Promote a culture of high expectations, academic rigour, and student-centred learning across all year groups and programmes.

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the school, ensuring a safe, structured, and well-resourced environment for students, staff, and visitors
• Develop and manage the school budget in collaboration with the finance team, ensuring responsible allocation of resources aligned with strategic priorities.
• Oversee student admissions, enrolment, and placement processes in accordance with school policy and MoE guidelines.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for all students, staff, and school operations in compliance with regulatory and data protection requirements.
• Coordinate school timetabling, staffing structures, and resource allocation to maximise operational efficiency and educational effectiveness.

• Recruit, induct, and retain high-calibre teaching & therapeutic staff, in line with the school's staffing requirements and values
• Conduct regular performance appraisals, set clear professional development objectives, and deliver structured feedback to all direct reports
• Design and implement a comprehensive professional development calendar that addresses both individual and whole-school training needs
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative school culture in which all staff feel valued, supported, and accountable.
• Address staff performance concerns in a timely, fair, and legally compliant manner in coordination with the HR department.

• Serve as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or ensure a qualified DSL is appointed and supported in accordance with school policy and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain a school environment that prioritises the physical, emotional, psychological, and social well-being of every student.
• Oversee the implementation and continuous review of behavioural intervention frameworks, ensuring approaches are positive, evidence-based, and individualised.
• Manage and debrief all student incidents, behavioural crises, and safeguarding concerns in accordance with established protocols
• Collaborate with families and external professionals, including therapists, psychologists, and medical practitioners, to provide holistic student support.

• Develop and maintain open, respectful, and productive relationships with parents and guardians, ensuring they are active partners in their child's educational journey.
• Facilitate regular parent meetings, IEP review conferences, and school events that support family involvement and community trust.
• Communicate school updates, policies, and student progress clearly and consistently through appropriate channels in both English and Arabic
• Represent Stellar Education at external events, professional networks, and regulatory meetings as required.

• Ensure the school operates in full compliance with all applicable Kuwait Ministry of Education regulations, school accreditation standards, and internal governance policies.
• Lead the preparation for and response to MoE inspections, accreditation reviews, and any external audits.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislative and regulatory developments affecting special needs education in Kuwait and communicate implications to the leadership team.
• Ensure all documentation, reporting, and data management systems meet required standards and deadlines.

• Contribute to Stellar Education's wider strategic planning, senior leadership meetings, and whole-school initiatives as a member of the leadership team.
• Prepare and submit regular reports on school performance, student outcomes, staffing, and operational matters to the Board or Senior Management as required.
• Uphold and model the values, policies, and professional standards of Stellar Education at all times.
• Undertake any additional duties reasonably requested by the Senior Management team in line with the scope of the role.

• Achieve full alignment of all academic and therapeutic programmes with the Ministry of Education (MoE) Kuwait regulations and international best practices in special needs education.
• Attain measurable year-on-year improvements in student learning outcomes, behavioural progress, and developmental milestones across all programme levels.
• Establish the school as a centre of excellence for inclusive education within Kuwait, recognised by families, regulatory bodies, and the wider educational community.
• Build and sustain a high-performing, multidisciplinary team through structured professional development, performance management, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain robust systems for IEP design, implementation, monitoring, and review that are consistent, evidence-based, and family-centred.
• Strengthen partnerships with parents, therapists, external agencies, and community stakeholders to create a cohesive support ecosystem for every student.

• Lead the school with integrity, visibility, and a clear educational vision that is understood and embraced by all staff, students, and families.
• Complete a structured school self-evaluation within the first term and present a School Improvement Plan (SIP) aligned with Stellar Education's strategic objectives.
• Establish individual performance development plans for all direct reports within the first 60 days of appointment.
• Monitor and review student IEPs on a termly basis, ensuring that goals are ambitious, measurable, and responsive to each student's evolving needs.
• Maintain a minimum compliance rating in all MoE inspections and internal audits conducted during the academic year
• Represent the school at senior leadership forums, parent advisory meetings, and community engagement events as a credible and approachable ambassador for Stellar Education.

Education: Master's degree in Special Education, Psychology, or a closely related field

Experience: 3–5 years of progressive leadership experience within a Special Needs educational environment

Language: Bilingual proficiency in English and Arabic (essential)

Certification: Valid school leadership or educational administration certification (required)

Common Core Curriculum | IEP Development & Oversight | Multidisciplinary Team Leadership | Behavioural Intervention | MoE Compliance | Parent & Community Engagement | Crisis Management | Curriculum Design | Strategic Planning | Staff Performance Management | Data-Driven Decision Making | Inclusive Education Frameworks