Founded in 2005, Deira International School (DIS) is one of Dubai’s leading international schools, delivering a world-class British and IB education to over 2,000 students from more than 90 nationalities.

Located within the prestigious Dubai Festival City community and operated by the Al-Futtaim Education Foundation, DIS has built a 20-year reputation for excellence and innovation, underpinned by a deep commitment to developing confident, curious, and globally minded young people.

Our vision is to nurture knowledgeable, confident, and intellectually open-minded global citizens, equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing world. This is realised through our mission to provide an outstanding international education that inspires every student to reach their full potential, embrace lifelong learning, and contribute positively to society.

At DIS, we value diversity, celebrate individuality, and work collaboratively as a united community, striving for the highest standards across academic, social, and personal development.

Students benefit from a rich and holistic educational experience, combining the rigour of the National Curriculum for England with the challenge and global perspective of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Beyond the classroom, they are encouraged to flourish through a vibrant programme of sport, performing arts, leadership, and community service.

With state-of-the-art facilities, a passionate and diverse staff body, and a strong culture of professional learning and development, DIS is a place where ambition is nurtured and potential is realised.

Deira International School is more than a school — it is a community built on respect, collaboration, and a shared belief in the transformative power of education.

At Deira International School, we believe exceptional schools are built by exceptional people. We are deeply committed to investing in the growth, wellbeing, and long-term success of every colleague, fostering a culture where professionalism is respected, ambition is encouraged, and individual strengths are recognised and celebrated. When you join DIS, you join a diverse and collaborative community with access to outstanding facilities, high-quality resources, and a values-led culture grounded in respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity.

Professional growth is a defining feature of life at DIS. We are committed to developing highly skilled, reflective, and dynamic educators who continually refine their practice and contribute to a culture of excellence. Our professional learning model blends coaching, evidence informed practice, collaboration, and leadership development, ensuring every teacher thrives and is supported to grow with purpose and confidence.

Leadership development is central to this commitment. Through structured pathways in middle leadership, curriculum innovation, pastoral and wellbeing leadership, instructional practice, and whole-school strategy, colleagues are empowered to shape the future of our school. Opportunities such as NPQ qualifications, IB leadership training, internal leadership academies, mentoring, shadowing, research initiatives, and project leadership allow staff to build expertise, stretch their practice, and take on meaningful responsibility. At DIS, leadership is viewed as a behaviour rather than a title, and colleagues at all career stages are encouraged to step forward, influence change, and drive innovation.

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in Deira International School. As Secondary Principal, I see every day how transformative education becomes when it is truly holistic; where academic excellence, character, wellbeing, and unforgettable experiences go hand in hand.

Our students thrive because our staff don’t just teach; they ignite curiosity, build relationships, and throw themselves into the life of our vibrant school community.

If you join us, you won’t just find a job, you’ll find a professional home that values ambition, creativity, and genuine impact. If you want to work somewhere dynamic, inspiring, and full of possibility, DIS is the place. We would be thrilled to receive your application.

Douglas Pettitt - Head of Secondary School

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in Deira International School. In our Primary and Foundation Stage, I see every day how exceptional education begins with care, trust, and strong relationships. We believe children learn best when they feel safe, known, and valued where curiosity is nurtured, confidence is built, and learning is joyful, purposeful, and developmentally rich.

Our students thrive because our teachers create warm, inclusive environments and go beyond the classroom to shape meaningful experiences that last a lifetime. If you join us, you will become part of a supportive, ambitious community that values collaboration, professional growth, and the privilege of shaping young lives at their very beginning.

Gaynor Dale - Head of Primary

Al-Futtaim Education Foundation (AFEF) is a not-for-profit initiative established by the Al Futtaim family to meaningfully impact education in the UAE, the region, and beyond. AFEF governs, oversees and supports high-performing schools, currently Deira International School and Universal American School, with the potential to expand into other markets, such as a planned branded school in Cairo, and other school offerings in the UAE, such as a future or AI-driven school.

The Foundation holds its school to very high standard of operational and academic excellence.

AFEF’s work is anchored in three guiding principles—Legacy, Community, and Future—which shape every decision made and every opportunity created for students, teachers and communities.

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