Exams Officer

Overview

GEMS Wellington Academy Dubai Hills seeks a seasoned Exams Officer tasked with overseeing all facets of internal and external examination administration and coordination. This role demands strict adherence to examination board guidelines and ensures the school remains fully compliant with all regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning and execution of both external and internal exams across Prep and Senior School sectors.
• Ensure full compliance with awarding bodies such as Pearson Edexcel, Cambridge Assessment International Education, Oxford AQA, and AQA.
• Perform duties as Head of Centre or assigned lead according to regulatory requirements and organizational policies.
• Supervise exam-related activities including entries, registrations, scheduling logistics, invigilation standards with training, access accommodations for SEN/EAL students, and secure handling/storage of exam materials.
• Manage the entire results process including examination days, post-results services like EARs, appeals, and certifications.
• Guarantee that examination operations align with KHDA inspection standards, emphasizing fairness, transparency, and safeguarding students.
• Promote the school’s standing as a registered center for private candidates.

• Collaborate with Deputy Head Assessment to develop a unified data management strategy consistent with KHDA frameworks and GEMS performance benchmarks.
• Oversee Management Information Systems (MIS) to maintain data accuracy, integrity, and operational efficiency.
• Guide assessment cycles, tracking mechanisms, and reporting structures.
• Generate detailed data dashboards and reports for Senior Leadership, corporate leadership, and KHDA inspections.
• Ensure data reporting complies with KHDA indicators and requirements of other bodies such as British Schools Overseas (BSO).

• Lead preparations for KHDA and BSO inspections ensuring data and exam compliance readiness.
• Maintain all inspection-ready documents such as assessment policies, data reports with impact analysis, and exam compliance records.
• Conduct internal audits verifying accuracy between reported attainment, progress, and external outcomes.
• Support the school’s quest for top inspection ratings through robust data evidence and narratives.

• Drive a data-focused culture supporting accountability and performance monitoring as part of the School Improvement Plan.
• Supervise Exams Officers and Data/Assessment personnel.
• Provide training on exam policies and procedures for school leaders and staff across the network.
• Contribute actively to improvement planning and benchmarking against GEMS, UK national, and international British schools.

• Effectively communicate exam-related processes, results, and performance insights to parents.
• Assist university guidance teams by supplying accurate predicted grades and transcripts.
• Liaise with KHDA, awarding bodies, and central GEMS teams as required.
• Offer explicit guidance on exam expectations and academic routes for students.
• Present reports and updates to the Local Advisory Board and GEMS Corporate Office as necessary.

• Support school-wide cover duties and invigilation as needed.
• Ensure the report generation system delivers informative and timely updates on pupil academic and personal development to parents.
• Maintain accurate attendance records aligned with the school, GEMS Education, and KHDA policies.

Person Specification and Skills

• Expertise in advanced data analysis, including Excel and data dashboard tools; Power BI skills are a plus.
• Demonstrated strong leadership and capacity for managing teams.
• Meticulous attention to detail and adherence to compliance standards.
• Ability to operate fluently at both strategic planning and effective operational levels.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication capabilities with various stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree in Education, Leadership, or Data-related discipline is preferred.
• Extensive experience within a British curriculum school, preferably in the UAE or GCC region.
• Proven track record managing examinations under UK awarding bodies and Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) regulations.
• Comprehensive understanding of KHDA inspection frameworks and expectations.
• Experience working within a school environment or part of a large educational group is advantageous.