Dr. Navin Valrani has a passion for lifelong education. After completing his primary schooling at Dubai English Speaking School (DESS) and his secondary education at Dubai College, Dr. Navin Valrani went on to achieve academic honours at the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelors of Science in Economics from the prestigious Ivy League School. Subsequently, Dr. Navin Valrani completed his MBA with academic distinction from London Business School and his M.S. Ed from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Navin is now on course to complete his Doctorate in Education in the summer of 2023.
Having worked in the Al Shirawi Group for over 20 years in various roles, Dr. Navin Valrani continues to serve the world of academia: being a member of the Wharton Alumni Board from 1997 through to 2003; presently on the Board of Overseers at the Penn Graduate School of Education and on the Wharton Executive Board for Europe, Middle East and Africa; and serving as the Chairperson of the UAE Alumni Interviewing Committee for the University of Pennsylvania for the last 25 years. Dr. Navin Valrani was also a member of the Campaign Committee and the International Alumni Council at London Business School and the Chair of the Governance and Nominations Committee on the Council.
Dr. Navin Valrani is the former Chairman of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) Emirates Chapter, having served for over 5 years on the chapter board. In 2014, Dr. Navin Valrani furthered his commitment to the University of Pennsylvania and the London Business School by instituting the Monica and Dr. Navin Valrani M. Dr. Navin Valrani scholarship fund to support students to attend both schools.
M.A.Ed.
Giles Pruett is an educator through and through. After completing his A-Level studies in the UK, he trained and competed as a professional tennis player for five years until moving back into full-time study to complete his Bachelor of Education at Bedford, reading Geography and Sport Science. He immediately returned to his home city of Bath and subsequently started his teaching career as Director of Rugby, Boarding Housemaster and Geography teacher in the independent community of Prior Park College. After completing a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Management at Bath University in 2012, gaining a distinction level, Giles transferred into the international education community, joining Jumeirah College in Dubai as Vice-Principal, where he remained for four years, before becoming Secondary Principal and Deputy Head of School at GEMS World Academy, helping them to become the highest rated full IB programme school in the city.
Giles is also a qualified corporate coach with a specific interest in building impactful professional learning communities by empowering others. He has developed pastoral structures to support learning and development in three previous leadership positions, ensuring that educational outcomes have been met and exceeded. Giles has experienced and driven inspection outcomes as a Senior Leader within several different frameworks, including Ofsted, HMI, CSCI, DSIB, CIS, BSO, COBIS, working as a Lead Reviewer within the GEMS organization and as Lead Evaluator for the Council of International Schools. His core inspection specialisms fall under the domains of teaching and learning, safeguarding, child protection and leadership and management.
Giles brings a wealth of experience in coaching, school operations, pastoral care and strategic school leadership and has been instrumental in developing an Apple Distinguished Teaching Programme, Entrepreneurship and Innovation curriculum alongside the design and construction of a new Senior School Learning Centre and Entrepreneurship Hub. He has a keen interest in this strand of education, recently completing a diploma from the Penn Graduate school of Education.
Above all else, Giles is a committed father to three wonderful girls and a husband to Joanna, who is also an educator and former British Olympic Modern Pentathlete. Together they share a passion for working with children, striving to bring learning to life and making a difference.
Mrs. Sarah Gray, from Northumberland, UK, is an accomplished educator with a strong background in leadership and curriculum design. Holding a First Class Honours degree in Primary Education and an NPQH, she has excelled in leadership roles at 'Outstanding' schools in both Dubai and the North-East of England.
With extensive experience in education, Sarah has consistently driven schools to new heights, implementing strategic visions that foster nurturing, stimulating learning environments. She is known for her innovative teaching methods, focusing on holistic education that supports students academically, socially, and emotionally.
Sarah's leadership emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills, ensuring students are well-prepared for future challenges. Her ability to build strong relationships with parents and the wider community has created supportive, collaborative school environments, leaving a lasting positive impact wherever she has served.
After graduating from The University of Glasgow (PGDE Primary), Paul Fisher embarked on his teaching career, working across Key Stage 1 and 2. Following a move to Dubai in 2017, Paul Fisher moved into a leadership role as Head of Key Stage 1. This role then evolved into Assistant Principal, where Paul Fisher was responsible for the strategic development of the school.
Paul Fisher has always been an advocate for innovative teaching and has worked with local authorities in the UK to expand their use of technology within the classroom. He has experience in curriculum development and adaptation to enhance its ability to meet the needs of all learners. He believes learning should be fun, purposeful and engaging for the children.
As a teacher, Paul Fisher is passionate about inclusion. He believes that meeting the needs of all learners is vital to ensuring that all children feel successful and are able to reach their full potential. Mr Fisher believes that a positive, successful and enjoyable time at primary will inspire children to become lifelong learners.
Paul Fisher is delighted to become a member of the Arcadia team. It is a very exciting time to become a part of the Arcadia team as the school is growing from strength to strength.
As a founding member of staff, Alice Foley has been heavily involved in the development of the teaching and learning in Key Stage Two at Arcadia. As a highly skilled Year 3 Class Teacher, Alice understands the transition from Key Stage One to Key Stage Two and the importance of planning and delivering high quality lessons that cater for all abilities and learning styles as well as using a range assessment tools to identify gaps and misconceptions.
During her time at Arcadia, Alice has also furthered her passion for leadership. In January 2018, she was appointed as Head of Mathematics. As a core subject leader, Alice was responsible for further developing the quality and consistency of the teaching and learning of Maths from Foundation Stage to Upper Key Stage Two. Alice completed action research into a variety of schemes of work, implemented new initiatives to raise attainment and progress of students and regularly planned and delivered continual professional development for members of staff. In addition to this role, Alice also took on the role of Lower Key Stage Two leader in September 2018 which involved leading the team of Year 3 and 4 Class teachers and utilising assessment and data to make improvements to teaching and learning across LKS2.
Using her experience in leading Mathematics, Alice has been successfully appointed as Core Subject Coordinator this academic year. In the role, Alice is working closely with the Core Subject Leaders to develop consistency across the school, further develop teaching and learning in all subject areas through strategic planning, creating a network of schools through cluster meetings to share good practice and make improvements to quality assurance. Alice is also working on curriculum design and adaptation with a particular focus on concept based learning.
Lisa Davage studied Psychology at The University of Portsmouth, UK, before completing her Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) in East Sussex. With extensive experience in leadership roles in both the UK and UAE, Lisa has most recently served as Head of Early Years and Assistant Head, bringing a wealth of expertise to our team.
Passionate about nurturing children's interests and fostering their curiosity, Lisa is committed to creating a supportive and stimulating learning environment. Her innovative approach and dedication to early childhood education have consistently inspired both students and staff.
Outside of her professional role, Lisa is highly active, enjoying training and competing in OCR and running. She brings the same energy and dedication to her personal pursuits as she does to her work. As she steps into her role as Assistant Head and Head of EYFS & KS1, we are confident in the positive impact she will have on our school community.
Nicola Walker is originally from Derbyshire, England and lives here in Dubai with her husband and daughter.
She has been teaching in the Early Years for eleven years, eight of those at schools in Dubai. She has taught in a wide range of school settings as a Foundation Stage teacher, FS2 leader and ‘Special Educational Needs' teacher.
Walker strives to ensure that children come to school feeling happy, confident and excited to learn. She believes that children learn best when they are encouraged to be creative and independent in a safe and engaging environment. She celebrates achievement at all levels and works hard to support all children to reach their potential, both as learners and as individuals.
Outside of school, Mrs Walker enjoys spending time with family, cooking, reading, travelling and spending as much time as possible outdoors.
Alexander Gray is an experienced educator and leader originally from North Birmingham in the UK. He holds a BSc in Human Biology and a PGCE in Science from Loughborough University, as well as a Master's degree in Education from the University of Bath. Alex taught science in grammar and boarding schools across the West Midlands early in his career, before serving as Head of Biology at Bishop Vesey's Grammar, a highly academically selective school founded in 1527. Seeking to broaden his experience, he moved to Dubai in 2015 and has been the Head of Science at Dubai British School Emirates Hills since 2019. In his five years at the KHDA Outstanding-rated Dubai British School, Alex has spearheaded numerous science and STEM initiatives. He is highly experienced teaching varied science curriculums including AQA, IB, A level and Edexcel programs. Professionally, Alex is a published author and member of the Chartered College of Teachers. He boasts coaching certifications from the Rugby Football Union and as a Qualified High Performance Coach. He has recently completed the National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching and Learning (NPQLTD) with University College London. Beyond the classroom, Alex is highly involved in professional learning networks across the UAE, having delivered keynote speeches and professional development sessions at major conferences such as GESS Dubai. He has been involved in webinars and workshops for international education networks as a recognised leader and expert in pedagogy and science instruction, and most recently AI implementation in the classroom. Outside academics, Alex enjoys playing and coaching rugby, videography, and photography. He resides in Dubai with his wife Kerrie, an interior designer, and their two daughters, Ava and Olivia.
Colette Puchalski joins the Performing Arts department at Arcadia School with an impressive background in dance and theatre. A former professional dancer with experience on international stages and London's West End, Colette is a qualified ISTD teacher in Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Jazz, and National Dance. She holds a BA (Hons) in Drama, Dance, and English Literature from De Montfort University. Her experience includes roles as Faculty Leader of Creative Arts, Head of Drama and Dance, and senior leadership positions in the UK and UAE. Colette will lead the Dance Program, teach Drama, and serve as Head of Year 8 and a member of the extended leadership team. Outside of work, she enjoys skiing, dancing, and playing golf.
Originally from Cambridge, UK, Mr Mepham acquired a BA Honours degree in Primary Education with QTS at Nottingham Trent University. Since then he has spent the first 7 years of his career teaching in both Key Stage 1 and 2 in Cambridge and more recently in Manchester as an Assistant Head Teacher. In this time he has lead on the development of growth mindset and collaborative learning to drive forward teaching and learning.
Mr Mepham has a passion for developing independence in children and providing purposeful and enriching learning opportunities. He develops this through the teaching of growth mindsets to instil resilience, reflectiveness and creative and critical thinking in all children. Mr Mepham loves to be active and he has a particular interest in rugby union and running. In his spare time, he also enjoys singing, playing the guitar and cooking.
Michael Strachan, a passionate and experienced educational leader, is originally from London. He worked briefly in industry before gaining a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences followed by a PGCE in Secondary Science at the University of Greenwich. Starting his teaching career in rural Kent, Michael then moved to South-East London to work with under-privileged children at a large urban school where he served as Head of Biology and Deputy Head of Science. In 2009, Michael was appointed to his first international teaching role as Head of Science at Qatar International School in Doha, a position he held for 6 years before promotion into senior leadership as Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Teaching and Learning. During his tenure in Qatar, he completed a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Bath. As a life-long learner, Michael firmly believes that teachers should role model a thirst for continual development. Seeking experience teaching the International Baccalaureate, Michael moved to Repton School Dubai in 2016 where he has worked as Deputy Head (Academic), helping the school through successive inspections resulting in Outstanding ratings from the KHDA and the BSO. More recently, Michael completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) with University College London, where his work exploring alternative curricular models received high praise. He continues to be active in educational research; in recognition of his significant and sustained contribution to education, Michael was appointed as a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teachers in 2021. Michael brings a wealth of experience and connections to Arcadia through his involvement with numerous external agencies. Internationally renowned as an educational consultant, author and teacher trainer, Michael’s expertise is regularly called upon by Cambridge University Press and he has led professional development for teachers in seven different countries to date. Here in Dubai he has worked with teachers at the very start of their careers, lecturing on the University of Birmingham’s PGCE programme as well as the University of Middlesex’s MA in Education. As a passionate scientist, Michael has authored textbooks and other teaching materials which are used around the world. He also sits on the UAE Cambridge School Council where he helps guide educational policy and support for British schools in the UAE. Married to Adina, also an educational leader in Dubai, they have two children (Imogen & Alistair) and a pet dog called Jack Sparrow. Michael is very much an outdoor enthusiast who wholeheartedly subscribes to the notion that we should seek to raise ‘free-range’ children.
John is a passionate and committed inclusion teacher and qualified SENCo, who believes all children deserve an outstanding teaching and learning experience.
As an experienced school leader and teacher who has worked both in mainstream and in inclusion both in the UK and Dubai, John has a breadth of experience in working with children in a variety of contexts. His journey working with young people started while still at school, as volunteer, coach and event organiser for the UK Special Olympics. This fuelled his desire to positively impact the lives of young people of determination and their families, which he continued to do in a variety of voluntary and professional roles while at studying and the University of Hertfordshire, qualifying with a BEd in Primary education.
John has also worked in the USA, as part of an administrative leadership team running a residential social and life skills program for young people with autism and social development delays, something he continued for almost a decade, supporting many families in finding pathways to independence for the young people he worked with. This fostered his understanding of the importance of teaching children transferable learning skills and attracted him to Arcadia School, which places great value on the holistic development of its students.
John firmly believes that giving children a well-rounded and personalised education will open doors for a happy and successful future. As a committed advocate for people of determination and a driven professional, he aims to continue to develop and grow the school's inclusion department and continue to find bespoke pathways to allow all Arcadians to navigate their own independent journey through education and beyond.
Pamela Chikhani is an accomplished business leader with over 20 years of experience in finance, business development, and strategic partnerships. Known for her entrepreneurial mindset and results-driven approach, she has a proven ability to drive growth, identify new opportunities, and deliver innovative solutions that create long-term value for organizations.Pamela Chikhani is an accomplished business leader with over 20 years of experience in finance, business development, and strategic partnerships. Known for her entrepreneurial mindset and results-driven approach, she has a proven ability to drive growth, identify new opportunities, and deliver innovative solutions that create long-term value for organizations.
Currently, Pamela serves as the Director of Strategic Alliances at Arcadia Education, where she leads the development and execution of non-academic initiatives, including communications, digital strategy, events, and partnerships. In addition to this role, she is the General Manager of Secure Parking UAE and Al Shirawi Vending Solutions, overseeing daily operations and spearheading business expansion.
Previously, Pamela was the Head of Business Strategy at London Business School (LBS), where she designed and implemented the institution's business development and outreach strategy for the MENA region. Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership positions as Head of Customized Solutions at Thomson Reuters and Head of the Financial Solutions Division at Zawya, where she played a key role in driving business growth and enhancing client engagement.
Pamela is also a co-founder, board member, and mentor at Reach, a non-profit organization based in DIFC that supports young professional women in unlocking their full potential through structured mentoring and professional development.
A lifelong learner, Pamela holds several prestigious certifications, including from the Coach Training Institute (CTI), Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and the Association of International Product Marketing and Management (AIPMM). She is a certified digital marketing expert from Columbia Business School and holds a Master's in Economics (with Honors) from the University of London and a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.
Dileep Yadav graduated in Accounting and Finance in 1999 from the University of Mumbai, India. He is also a certified Investment Advisor and keeps abreast of market movements. After working for six years with renowned companies in Mumbai as Finance Manager, he moved to Dubai in 2006. He joined the Al Shirawi Group as a Senior Auditor and thus began his close association with Mohan Valrani.
Dileep was a key member in developing the Silicon Oasis branch of the Indian High School, playing a major part in the supervision of the school’s construction and also served as an honorary adviser to the Board. When Arcadia Education embarked upon its ambitious programme of the school building in 2013, Dileep assisted in the negotiation of the construction contracts and subsequent supervision of them.
He is presently overseeing all the aspects of the administration and financial management of Arcadia Education and its related companies.
Jaclyn Redgwick has over 15 years’ experience within customer services. This time was predominantly spent within the aviation sector in a supervisory role for a major airline. Having been schooled in both the UK and Africa, and working in various countries throughout Europe, Jaclyn is familiar with the varying customs and cultures from living Internationally.
Since moving to the UAE Jaclyn has worked in the education sector, prior to taking up her role at The Arcadia preparatory School she worked in a similar position for an established EYFS Nursery in Dubai.
Jaclyn is excited to bring her experience of customer relations to the school and is looking forward to interacting with the parents.
Before assuming her current role as Head of Government Relations at Arcadia, Ahlam Abu Alyaqien gained extensive experience working across multiple schools, most recently serving as an Admissions Manager, Head of Marketing, and KHDA Coordinator. Through these roles, she developed strong communication and interpersonal skills, enabling her to engage effectively with all levels of management and influence future leaders in education.
Ahlam consistently excelled in her responsibilities, as evidenced by her outstanding performance in KHDA evaluations. Her professionalism and dedication earned her recognition and honors from KHDA for her exceptional execution of tasks.
Originally from Jordan, where she was born and raised, Ahlam earned her bachelor’s degree in Law from Yarmouk University. Her education was enriched by distinguished lecturers with doctoral degrees from leading universities in the UK, USA, and Europe.
Passionate about continuous learning and knowledge-sharing, Ahlam is committed to enriching both her own expertise and the educational experiences of others. As a proud member of the environmentally conscious Arcadia team, she firmly believes that quality education is the cornerstone of a sustainable future.
Having started her career in Dubai 26 years ago Aukse soon developed growing interest and passion for people management within organizations. Being Lithuanian born, her ability to converse in different languages and understanding of different cultures and work ethics opened an exciting opportunity for her to collaborate in a business based in the UK. Since then Aukse has worked in HR field across three continents within the large international organizations like Lavazza, Chalhoub Group of Companies, Premier Group and GEMS Education.
Aukse has been appointed as Head of HR for Arcadia Education to lead and manage all aspects of Human Resources. She will oversee the implementation and compliance with the UAE Government regulations and company’s policies, procedures and systems and will provide expertise, support and advice in the various HR functions, which include safer recruitment, administration, staffing, employment law, performance management, professional learning and development as well as employee relations and retention.
Aukse loves Arcadia community and the sense of an inclusive international environment that the school has to offer.
Liam Cain is an inspirational and highly motivated leader with a commitment to providing innovative and stimulating learning opportunities for young children. His range of experience in several settings has enabled him to develop a honed reflective practice and regularly use this to guide and mentor others.
Before joining Arcadia five years ago, Liam taught across Key Stage 2, as well as gaining the positions of Teacher Mentor and PE Curriculum leader. Through this, he learnt fostering positive relationships to be intrinsic to his practice, enabling children to become strong, independent learners and for staff members to truly master their craft.
Upon joining Arcadia, Liam was awarded the position of Upper Key Stage 2 leader. Within this role, he is responsible for upper-school improvement using outcomes from lesson observations and assessment data. Using this information, Liam will adapt the curriculum, ensure our staff have continual and relevant development and ultimately ensure that teachers impart a wholesome and efficient learning programme maximising the progress and enjoyment of the children.
As a teacher, Liam firmly believes in imparting essential learning skills such as communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration within the curriculum. He considers it imperative to teach students about the mental processes required to adapt and improve upon a modern work environment. Liam has a key interest in this strand of education and has recently embarked on the task of implementing a learning skills programme in Arcadia.
The Arcadia mission of creating 'lifelong independent learners' resonates deep inside Liam; he takes great pride in ensuring this passion is instilled in children, helping every child flourish and realise their potential. He is a dedicated individual who is committed to developing this ethos in Arcadia school.
Tom Gayler has a passion for innovative technology and the positive effects it can have on teaching and learning in the modern classroom. Originally intending to become a secondary PE teacher, Tom studied a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Youth Sport from Sheffield Hallam University, graduating in 2010. In 2011, Tom returned home to Lincoln, England to study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, specialising in upper primary school. He acquired his first teaching post in a small rural setting, teaching multiple year groups and taking on a vast amount of responsibility for an inexperienced teacher. In 2014, Tom was appointed Special Educational Needs Coordinator and took the masters level qualification from the University of Northampton. With teaching a multi year class full time and leading the SEN department in the school, Tom started to see the benefits of using technology to help learners and teachers in the classroom. In 2016, Tom was appointed as one of the founding teachers for the Arcadia School in Dubai. Initially, his job was Head of PE and Head of Computing, taking on the leadership of two subjects that he was passionate about. In 2017, Tom was made the full time Head of Digital Innovation in the school, overseeing the use of technology for teaching and learning across all of Arcadia. His job is ensuring that teachers have the skills, confidence and resources to experiment and innovate the teaching and learning in their classroom. In 2018, Arcadia was named as an Apple Distinguished School, making it one of only 500 schools in the world to do so. Tom played a vital role in achieving this accolade and continues to work closely with Apple to ensure he is constantly improving the school’s practice. Following this, Tom works with the Arcadia team to make sure we host and provide support to other schools and teachers, making sure they can reach their potential in this growing field. In 2019, Tom was named as an Apple Distinguished Educator, joining a group of only 3,000 educators worldwide that have received this award. He was presented with this for his continued work and efforts to improve and innovate the use of technology in education. He is excited about the opening of the Arcadia High School and continuing to develop and improve the teachers across both schools.
Mr Ryan Kenny gained his BSc (Hons) in Chemistry from the University of Manchester in 2016 where his passion for science grew. Ryan took many roles during his university degree helping local students with science projects and working with local science companies. This led Ryan to pursuing a career in science education and joining Manchester Metropolitan university on his PGCE in Secondary education. Ryan then taught in the UK for a few years before making a bold move to teach in Hangzhou, China. While in China Ryan took opportunities to become a Head of Year followed by becoming acting Head of Science for the International department. This experience taught Ryan how to adapt his teaching to a multicultural classroom and develop strong relationships. Ryan then moved to Dubai to join the growing Arcadia Secondary team where he is leading the Science Department. Outside of the classroom Ryan is an avid cook who enjoys spending his time in the kitchen creating, in his words, masterpieces. Ryan is also passionate about snowboarding and is looking forward to testing his skills in the surrounding areas.
Mr Chad Witcomb is the Director of Inclusion at the school. He holds a degree in Business Studies from Plymouth University and completed his PGCE in Primary Education at Newman University in Birmingham, UK. Mr Witcomb has gained extensive experience in both the UK and UAE, holding positions such as KS2 Maths Lead and Head of Inclusion. In addition to his professional role, Mr Witcomb is passionate about sports, particularly football and golf. As Director of Inclusion, he will lead the inclusion efforts across both primary and secondary schools, ensuring that all students receive the support they need to thrive.
Ms. Tania Ahmad hails from London, England and brings a wealth of experience having taught GCSE and A-level English there, whilst also holding the distinctive positions of Lead Practitioner and RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) Lead, prior to moving to Arcadia. Since coming to Arcadia, as Head of Pastoral Care, Tania has developed the pastoral systems for Secondary with a strong focus on rewards and student well being.
Tania is also an examiner for Pearson iGCSE Edexcel, utilising her expert knowledge to head the English department at Arcadia. Whilst in the UAE, Tania has been a guest speaker at educational conferences such as the world-renowned GESS Dubai, as well as the Global Schools Alliance, authoring a blog for the latter, on the topics of Oracy and English pedagogy. As well as this, Tania has received professional training on Oracy and has delivered many training sessions to staff, sharing her knowledge and passion for dialogic learning. Tania comes from a strong educational background and holds a Masters in English Education from UCL; BA in English Literature; PGCE (IOE) and most recently completed her NPQ in leading behaviour and culture. Tania has a vested interest in Shakespearean literature, specialising in this during her Masters and in her final thesis; her work with the RSC afforded her the opportunity to co-direct a performance of her students in ‘Romeo and Juliet' at the prestigious Barbican theatre in London. Outside of the classroom, Tania has the travel bug and loves to explore new countries, cultures and cuisines with her husband.
Mr. Ryan graduated from the University of Limerick with a B.Ed. He continued his studies in the UK, where he completed a Master of Arts in Technology-Enhanced Learning at Sheffield Hallam University. He has been teaching since 2009 and has been in the UAE since 2015, previously serving as an Assistant Headteacher for four years in Sharjah. More recently, Mr. Ryan has become a member of the Chartered School of Teachers and is working towards his fellowship in leadership. He is also set to complete his NPQH later this year.
Mr. Ryan is an experienced Head of Technology with a proven track record of examination success for his students at GCSE and A-Level and is very enthusiastic about working at Arcadia. He looks forward to contributing to the growth of the Art and Technology departments and the school as a whole, over the coming years.
Miss Wild began her creative career at the very young age of 5. Throughout school, she performed on professional stages and was awarded a number of TV appearances. Whilst gaining her Bachelor of Arts degree, she worked in Boston Massachusetts, USA, leading a Performing Arts summer school. On her return, she was employed as a Drama and Dance teacher in Manchester, and it was then that she discovered there was an even greater joy to be had in enthusing others with her passion for Drama and Theatre. She stayed in Manchester to undertake her teacher training, graduating with a First Class Drama PGCE in 2016. Miss Wild describes herself as committed, approachable and effervescent.
Prior to joining Arcadia, Miss Wild was Head of Drama and Gifted and Talented Coordinator, in a grammar school in Canterbury, Kent. As well as this, Miss Wild has also been an AQA A-level (post 16) examiner for Drama and Theatre studies for the past two academic years.
Born and raised in Paris-France, Rihabe developed a passion for education from a young age she pursued a Bachelor in Languages & French literature and obtained a diploma in teaching Arabic and leadership education where she excelled academically and demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities. Motivated by a desire to effect positive change in the education system, Rihabe is completing a Master's degree in Educational Leadership.
Rihabe began her career as a French teacher, where she gained firsthand experience in the challenges and opportunities within the education system. Recognized for her dedication and innovative teaching methods, she quickly rose through the ranks to become an educational leader of languages National agenda subjects.
Central to Rihabe's approach is a commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. She believes in empowering National agenda subjects' teachers with the resources, support, and professional development opportunities they need to excel in their roles and meet the diverse needs of today's learners.
After graduating from The University of Chichester, Mr Liam George Hirrel taught physical education for 7 years in Greater London, holding various positions including Head of PE. He has spent the past three years in the UAE, working for the Ministry of Education's Physical and Health Education department, teaching as well as training future teachers.
Mr Liam George Hirrel strives to create an environment where students are confident, independent learners and believes strongly in PE and Sport being accessible for all. He has been a part of the improvement of teaching in many schools and this has allowed him to hone his professional skill-set whilst supporting colleagues to improve their own. Outside of teaching Mr Liam George Hirrel enjoys a range of sports and has played football at a professional level.
Bryan Cahill began his working life in journalism, having gained his Bachelor of Arts, before transferring to teaching in 2007. After initially working as an English teacher with second language students, in Dublin, he then moved to London to undertake his PGCE, graduating from London South Bank University in 2010. Mr Bryan Cahill describes himself as hardworking, friendly and passionate about teaching. Prior to joining Arcadia, Bryan Cahill was teaching in a school in Westminster, London. This included roles as a subject lead, Year 4 Leader and a member of the Senior Leadership Team. In addition, Bryan Cahill was a Key Stage 2 Writing moderator for the last seven years, moderating writing samples for the Standards and Testing Agency across London.
Tom Gayler has a passion for innovative technology and the positive effects it can have on teaching and learning in the modern classroom. Originally intending to become a secondary PE teacher, Tom studied a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Youth Sport from Sheffield Hallam University, graduating in 2010. In 2011, Tom returned home to Lincoln, England to study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, specialising in upper primary school. He acquired his first teaching post in a small rural setting, teaching multiple year groups and taking on a vast amount of responsibility for an inexperienced teacher. In 2014, Tom was appointed Special Educational Needs Coordinator and took the masters level qualification from the University of Northampton. With teaching a multi year class full time and leading the SEN department in the school, Tom started to see the benefits of using technology to help learners and teachers in the classroom.
In 2016, Tom was appointed as one of the founding teachers for the Arcadia School in Dubai. Initially, his job was Head of PE and Head of Computing, taking on the leadership of two subjects that he was passionate about. In 2017, Tom was made the full time Head of Digital Innovation in the school, overseeing the use of technology for teaching and learning across all of Arcadia. His job is ensuring that teachers have the skills, confidence and resources to experiment and innovate the teaching and learning in their classroom. In 2018, Arcadia was named as an Apple Distinguished School, making it one of only 500 schools in the world to do so. Tom played a vital role in achieving this accolade and continues to work closely with Apple to ensure he is constantly improving the school’s practice. Following this, Tom works with the Arcadia team to make sure we host and provide support to other schools and teachers, making sure they can reach their potential in this growing field.
In 2019, Tom was named as an Apple Distinguished Educator, joining a group of only 3,000 educators worldwide that have received this award. He was presented with this for his continued work and efforts to improve and innovate the use of technology in education. He is excited about the opening of the Arcadia High School and continuing to develop and improve the teachers across both schools.
Mae is guided by the saying “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts” by Winston S. Churchill. Young driven to succeed and ambitious. Her objective is to live up to her professional potential be it in the educational field or in other business industries. She obtained her degree in University of Pasig City, Philippines.
Mae has over 8 meaningful years’ experience within customer services and administration both in the Philippines and the UAE. With her expertise, she is clever to perform full administrative support across the organisation and is excited to bring her experience of customer relations to the school and is looking forward to interacting with the parents.
Luisa joined Arcadia in 2021, and currently takes care of the Enrichment Learning Activities operations, while coordinating Events in partnership with the Arcadia's Parent Association. She aims to create bonds between Arcadia School, businesses, institutions and people who help contribute to the growth of Arcadia's community and values.
Living in the UAE since 2010, Luisa previously worked as the Admissions & Marketing Manager for another prestigious British School, following her experience working for an international Airline, managing multicultural teams around the globe. Luisa spent some time in the UK before moving to Dubai, however she is originally from Curitiba, a city that is considered "Sustainable" in the South of Brazil. Luisa is involved with a range of local and international initiatives that promote education on environmental issues, and provide practical solutions to communities around the World, so she is very proud to be part of the Arcadia team, a school with strong values, that understands that quality Education is the key to a sustainable future.
Mareyette believes in saying "Stop doubting yourself, work hard, and make it happen". She is driven and persistent in achieving her goals. She completed a degree in BSBA Major in Financial Management at Baliuag University, Philippines. Before she tried her luck here in the UAE she worked as an accounting assistant at Philippine Airlines.
Mareyette has over 7 years' of experience within the customer service field since moving to the UAE. It has given her confidence in whatever she is doing. She's looking forward to bringing this excellence in customer service to Arcadia and interacting with the students and parent community.
April starts her day with a saying "Don't settle for average. Bring your best to the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, at least you know you gave all you had." by Angela Bassett. With over 9 years of experience both locally and internationally with direct exposure to various industries such as Events Management and the Fashion Industry, she is always ready to be challenged.
April has a true passion for what she's doing and takes pride in making people happy. Building relationships and making personal impacts are important to her. She is also highly motivated to progress in her career and enthusiastic about growing and succeeding in every position she holds. She is thrilled to bring her experience to the organization and is eager to interact with the esteemed Arcadia community.
Aileen has over 7 proficient years’ experience for both local and international. She has been in different industries like insurance, marine & agriculture, construction, oil & gas. Has experience in operations management, full administration, and human resources. She earned her degree in Divine Word College, Philippines.
She opens the communication between the school staff and government processes. Aileen has been in charge of staff’s visa processing, insurance, payroll, & recruitment which became her passion.
Clint Sebastian brings over 15 years of experience in the IT industry, including a decade specializing in the educational sector in the UAE. As a founding staff member of one of the largest schools in Ajman, he played a pivotal role in designing and implementing a comprehensive IT infrastructure to support a large-scale school environment.
Clint's extensive experience spans both Indian and American curriculums, enabling him to craft IT solutions tailored to diverse educational needs. Before entering the academic sector, he gained valuable experience working in various roles at a multinational company and a financial firm in Chennai, India.
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Applications, a Diploma in Hardware and Networking, and is ITIL-certified. Clint's expertise and hands-on approach to IT infrastructure development drive innovative solutions that enhance educational outcomes.
Jordan is a dedicated and results driven professional with 19 years of Customer Service experience in the Banking, Government, Hospitality and Education sectors. She prides herself on being personable and having excellent communication skills.
Prior to joining Arcadia Jordan worked for the prestigious British School, Gems Jumeirah Primary School for three years, focusing on parent relations, events, social media and marketing for the school.
She is very passionate about Education and truly believes in life long learning. Jordan has gained professional management qualifications through her time in employment and most recently completed her level 7 Diploma in Executive Management and has recently completed her Masters Degree in Business Administration and achieved a Distinction.
Prior to moving into Education, Jordan has worked for global luxury hotel companies in the UAE, Hilton, Waldorf Astoria and Jumeirah Group. Whilst living and working in the UK, Jordan worked for the UK Government in various management roles and worked for First Direct Bank, which is consistently awarded the UK's best bank for customer service and a part of the bigger HSBC group.
Jordan is so excited to be part of the Arcadia family and is committed to contributing to the growth and success of the schools.
Pratik Surendran is a graduate in Bachelors of Commerce from Mumbai University in 2011. He has experience of 6 years in his career before starting the journey with Arcadia School. In India, he has worked with UAE Exchange and Hotel Trident (Oberoi Group of Hotels) for around five years as Sales Executive and Accounts officer. In Trident, he assisted the core team in implementing SAP and also supported in setting-up the logistics and inventory management system.
He shifted to UAE in 2017 and started working with Rayan Hotel as an Accounts payable officer dealing with vendors, handling collections, and invoicing to the customers. In Nov’19 he joined Arcadia School as an Accounts executive. Pratik has been part of Arcadia School to look after the Cashier department, dealing with parents, and looking after the payables module.
You can call him "Paul" like his friends do when Paul Fisher is not near the vicinity or not sitting in the same room, but we all call him Paolo. Paolo has been volunteering in Philippines Red Cross as an Emergency Medical Technician - B (EMT-B) for almost 8 years after passing the Philippines Nursing Licensure Examination when he decided to come to UAE and work as a Health and Safety Officer. Paolo is working in health and safety in UAE for almost 8 years now, having experience in construction and oil & gas and now in the education section. Paolo believes in a saying that "The Only Constant Thing in Life is Change, So You Must Learn to Adapt to Survive". Paolo is Arcadia School's Senior Quality Health and Safety Officer closely working with the Director of Finance and Administration and also overseeing the health and safety of both campuses together with the facilities management, school clinic and the senior leadership team. Paolo's favorite safety tagline is "Safety Always Not Just First and Failure to Plan is Planning to Fail".
Nadia exudes optimism and cheer wherever she goes. She is originally from Lebanon but grew up in Cyprus and Romania, she smoothly navigates across cultures. Fluent in four languages, English, Arabic, French and Romanian she embraces the richness of communication and connection.
Her journey led her to the vibrant city of Dubai in 2011, where she embarked on a decade-long career in preschool admissions. With a wealth of experience, Nadia understands the nuances of nurturing young minds and supporting families through pivotal educational decisions.
Outside of her professional realm, Nadia finds joy in the simple pleasures of life. Whether it's unraveling puzzles with her three children, whipping up culinary delights in the kitchen, or exploring the globe, she savors every moment. A nature enthusiast at heart, she finds solace and inspiration in the great outdoors.
Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management, Nadia's passion for education and community shines through. As she eagerly awaits the opportunity to assist new parents joining Arcadia, her enthusiasm is palpable. For Nadia, each day brings fresh opportunities for growth, connection, and making a positive impact on the world around her.
Grace joined Arcadia in 2023 as the Academic Secretary in Secondary School. Performs administrative duties in support of the operation of the school and of the leadership team, staff, students and parents.
Prior to joining Arcadia, Grace worked in a prestigious British School for 8 years where she gained extensive knowledge and vast experience in area of education.
After completing her bachelor degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management, she moved to the UAE on 2012. She previously worked in various restaurants, one of them is Vogue Cafe as part of the pre-opening team where she boosted her confidence and familiarise her herself in a multicultural environment.
Grace is proud to be part of the Arcadia team, with strong values and ethos. She is excited to bring her expertise and share her knowledge of customer relations and is looking forward to interacting with the Arcadia community.
Vinod Pereira joined Arcadia in 2024, and currently takes care of the Enrichment Learning Activities operations, while coordinating Events in partnership with the Arcadia's Parent Association. he aims to create bonds between Arcadia School, businesses, institutions and people who help contribute to the growth of Arcadia's community and values.
Vinod is a versatile English Language Program (ELP) and Activities Coordinator with a unique blend of experience in language education and music production. Over the past 4 years, he has worked as a freelance music producer, honing creative and technical skills that enhance their ability to develop engaging and innovative programs. With a background in Hotel Administration from Nitte College of Hotel Administration, Vinod has successfully designed and implemented engaging curricula that cater to diverse learning styles and proficiency levels. He has been in different industries like Event Management, Banking, Hotels & Resorts and has experience in Operations Management & Business Administrations.
In addition, he also excels at organizing a variety of activities that enhance the overall student experience. From cultural outings and language immersion events to interactive workshops and social gatherings, as he ensures that every program participant has the opportunity to thrive both academically and socially. Vinod's multidisciplinary expertise allows them to connect with students on multiple levels, forstering a supportive and inspiring environment where learners can thrive both linguistically and creatively.
So he is very proud to be part of the Arcadia team, a school with strong values, that understands that quality education is the key to a sustainable future.
Divakar believes in "staying calm in all situations" and that for every problem, there is a solution. An Apple-certified engineer with experience dating back to 2018.
With a strong background in Apple technologies since 2018, Divakar has mastered the art of delivering seamless IT support. He moved to Dubai in 2023, bringing his expertise and passion for problem-solving to Arcadia. Whether it's managing Apple devices, handling complex IT setups, or ensuring smooth rollovers, Divakar's cool and collected approach makes him the go-to expert for all things Apple.
Yasmin Eltony brings an extensive experience in Clients Relationship Management, having worked as a Client Relations Team Lead for VIP and First-Class passengers with a world class airline, as well as a Senior Guest Relations Executive for multiple international hotels in the Middle East and USA, which developed a diverse, deep understanding of how impactful relationship with customers is. She holds a bachelor degree in Business Administration as well as a Human Resources Management Diploma from the American University in Cairo. What drives Yasmin to do her job well, is believing that the most important part of the job is how well you connect with the heart-beating people you’re trying to help and communicate your understanding back to them. With the ultimate goal being, making customers’ needs become a reality
Yasmin is customer service expert by day and a Sushi connoisseur by night, she is an animal lover with a passion for animal welfare. Loves travelling to new destinations and getting to meet new people and cultures. Yoga & meditation are her primary stress relieve tools. Lastly, she likes to be surprised and surprise others.
