Miss Edele Nolan is from Ireland and has 17 years of experience in Education. Edele started off her career as an Early Years Educator and has a B.A in Early Years and Montessori Education. She has worked in Ireland, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia and been working here in the UAE for 5 years. Edele has a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology, is a qualified Play Therapist, Mental Health First-Aider and, is also a Mindfulness Educator.
Edele is extremely passionate about what she does and believes in the importance of supporting student's emotional and social wellbeing. Her experience of working in different countries has given her a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to supporting students and their families. Her goal is to build positive relationships of kindness, empathy, respect and understanding with the students and families of Arcadia. Her door will always be open
Coming from Manchester (England, UK), sport has always been a huge part of mine and my family’s life. I was raised playing a wide range of sports and went onto compete to a regional level across netball, gymnastics, aquathlon and cross country, however nothing ever quite compared to my ability in and love for swimming.
While studying through school and throughout my Psychology degree at Loughborough University, I trained up to 30+ hours a week and swam semi professionally, competing internationally for Great Britain and England in butterfly and freestyle events. With my main event being 200m butterfly, some of my proudest achievements have to be; consistently being ranked UK top 10 in multiple disciplines, being consecutive national champion and medalist from the age of 11, swimming in the finals at the 2012/2016 Olympic Trials (London and Rio) and 2014/2018 Commonwealth Games Trails (Glasgow and Gold Coast), and also getting a Gold Medal at World School Games in Brazil in 2014. Since leaving the sport competitively, my passion for swimming has naturally flowed into my passion for teaching and coaching over the past 6 years - now there is nothing more valuable than sharing my knowledge and experience with younger generations.
PERSONAL:
Since moving to Dubai in Aug 2020 I have loved having the opportunity to not only travel
this side of the world independently, but also fully immerse myself in the wider
sporting community. In my spare time I love to train and compete in CrossFit, however I
also enjoy going hiking, rollerblading and also have a huge passion for baking. This
year I would also like to hopefully take part in more netball, softball and tag rugby
fixtures as I love new challenges and being part of a team.
BEST MOMENT IN TEACHING:
My best moments as a swimming coach always seem to be the non tangible achievements. The
majority of my most rewarding moments seem to be centered around helping children of all
ages either fall in love with the water, achieve things they never thought possible or
overcome deep rooted fears and/or technical challenges. I also love coaching swimmers to
be technically better and as a result faster; this makes attending competitions both
individually and as a team super rewarding and extremely exciting! I'm excited to create
more memories like this at Arcadia.
Miss Hannah Greene is from Dublin, Ireland. She completed a 4-year B.Ed degree at Dublin City University in Ireland in 2017. Since graduating she has worked in schools in Ireland including early years and primary. Due to her interest in the early years of teaching, she completed a postgraduate diploma in Early Childhood Education, graduating in June 2021.
Prior to joining Arcadia Hannah has worked in a Primary School in Dublin, Ireland. This role included working as a Year leader and leading many school initiatives such as running the Green School's Committee and leading the Music and Arts committees. Hannah describes herself as a friendly, caring, creative, generous and hard-working individual.
Hannah is excited to join the Arcadia team as she believes the school's ethos of nurturing the whole child and developing a life-long love of learning aligns perfectly with her educational philosophy.
Miss Jane Mottram has been a primary school teacher since 2018. Originally from Sheffield, she completed her Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree in Primary Education at Nottingham Trent University and then relocated to Manchester, where she taught KS2 for the following three years.
During her time in Manchester, Miss Jane Mottram supported the maths subject lead in implementing a mastery curriculum across the school, which worked towards ensuring children had a deep understanding of their learning. She also researched and developed an aspirations curriculum, with the aim to inspire and motivate all children to achieve their goals and to aim high, regardless of any barriers to learning they may face.
Miss Jane Mottram describes herself as positive, passionate and inquisitive. She strongly believes that, through creating an inclusive, nurturing classroom environment, children will thrive and evolve into confident, independent and resilient learners.
Ms Kate Riddle began her teaching career as an Early Years practitioner. It was during this time that she developed a particular love and interest in literacy and storytelling. After obtaining her PGCE she gained an MA in Teacher Librarianship from Charles Sturt University, Australia. Kate very much enjoys working within the international community and its schools and has lived and worked in Ireland, Portugal and the UAE.
Kate is a published children's author and is passionate about reading and most importantly inspiring this love of reading in her students. With over 10 years experience as a teacher librarian in Dubai, her aim is to encourage students to become critical thinkers, skilful researchers and enthusiastic life-long readers.
Mrs Linda Rooney is a Maths and Science teacher qualified from the University of Limerick in 2009 after receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Science Education. Following this, she moved to the UK where she achieved qualified teacher status and continued working in a school in South East England for 6 years. After this Linda moved to Dubai and has been here ever since. Mrs Rooney would describe herself as hardworking, dedicated, energetic and dependable. Her experience working in both the UK and UAE have helped her to develop both her teaching and leadership skills. Throughout her career, Mrs Rooney has been promoted to various roles of responsibility. In her most recent position, she was the Deputy Head of Mathematics and now will be working in both Maths and Science as a Team Leader.
Mr Matthew Pewtner is a dually qualified teacher and ex-professional athlete with unrelenting determination. His passion for teaching has always been of vital importance. Having gained two teaching degrees, he further developed his teaching experience within a highly reputable school in the UK, where he spent time teaching the British Curriculum within upper KS2. His experience of teaching within HM Prison Usk also played a valuable role in his teaching development.
Prior to joining Arcadia, Mr Matthew Pewtner taught the IB curriculum in Dubai for 4 years, further developing his teaching practice.
His ten years of competing as a professional sportsperson have earned him valuable experience in delivering work of the highest standard. Mr Matthew describes himself as a relaxed practitioner who believes strongly in trusting his students and promoting independence within their learning journey.
Originally from the North of England, Philip studied at Saint Martins College, Lancaster graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in Youth and Community work. Philip then embarked on a successful career in London, working for various local authorities as a Youth Participation Manager, and ending as a policy consultant for Children and Young People in Central Government.
After working with Secondary age children, Philip decided to retrain and become a Primary school teacher, graduating with a PGCE from the University of Keele. Following this, Philip spent 5 wonderful years at a British International School in Bangkok. During which time, he worked in KS1 and KS2, held leadership positions in Science, IPC coordinator and whole school House lead. Most recently, Philip has been working in an IB school here in Dubai. Philip is passionate about STEM and believes in nurturing a growth mindset in children.
Philip and his wife have travelled extensively, and spent a year volunteering in Ghana, Zimbabwe and Nepal during which time they helped establish a Montessori school for children rescued from prisons.
In his spare time, Philip can be found on the Al Qudra cycle track, swimming or playing football, as well as enjoying all the Dubai attractions, with his wife and two young daughters.
Miss Sarah Jones is originally from Billingham, in the northeast of England. She acquired a first-class honours degree in Early Childhood Studies at Teesside University and has completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Sunderland University.
Being a Foundation Stage Specialist, Sarah has a deep-rooted passion for the early years and is committed to providing creative and unique learning opportunities for young children. Sarah believes in fostering positive relationships, enabling children to become lifelong, confident learners. Her holistic approach facilitates children's natural curiosity and allows them to challenge their thinking in a safe and stimulating environment.
Lauren Duffy holds a first-class Bachelor’s of Early Years Care and Education from Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland. Prior to joining Arcadia, Lauren spent four years working in the UAE in leadership roles and as an FS2 Teacher. Her approach to teaching is child-led based learning and learning through play. She regognises its ability to empower children to explore their passions, embrace individuality and express themselves. She is determined to create a unique and fun classroom environment for every child, where they can thrive and flourish. Her goal is to foster the holistic development of each individual child.
Miss Sophie Davies began her teaching journey as a Teaching Assistant in South Wales in 2012. After working with many groups of students of all abilities and ages, she decided to pursue her teaching career and further her studies in Education. Sophie gained her Foundation Degree in Early Years Care and Education followed by a Bachelor of Arts in Education before teaching Year 5 and 6 in a small Primary school in South Wales. She spent a total of 8 years there before moving to Dubai.
Prior to joining Arcadia, Miss Davies taught all year groups in Primary School. Her roles have included leading ICT and digital learning, Literacy and P.E. In most recent years, Sophie has been a part of a Middle Leadership team, leading on Data and Assessment in the Primary school.
Miss Sophie Davies describes herself as dedicated, friendly, and passionate about teaching.
Miss Madeleine Storey graduated with a history degree from the University of Sussex before going on to complete a PGCE at the University of Hertfordshire. Miss Madeleine Storey taught in a diverse school in London for three years with experience in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. During her time at the school, she thoroughly enjoyed leading history, particularly focusing on the opportunity to make more cross-curricular links throughout the school.
Miss Madeleine Storey strongly believes in creating a classroom community where each child's individual strengths and passions are celebrated and encouraged in order for them to develop their own identity both in the classroom and beyond. She strives to promote an environment where all children are challenged, fostering resilience, perseverance, curiosity and critical thinking.
When not at school, Miss Madeleine Storey enjoys reading, playing netball and swimming. She also enjoys travelling and experiencing new cultures.
Suzanne Lorton graduated from Birmingham City University, England, with a PGCE specialising in Early Years. Since graduating, she has taught across the primary areas in key stage one, key stage 2 and early years.
Miss Suzanne Lorton loves to travel, exploring different countries and cultures. She describes herself as an enthusiastic and focused teacher who is committed to ensuringpositive learning and promoting the well-being of children at all times. Miss Suzanne Lorton motivates the children by encouraging learning through experience.
Miss Charlotte Corkhill graduated from the University of Cumbria with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Primary Education QTS with the specialism of Science. Since university, she was teaching at a local school in Blackpool, UK. Miss Charlotte Corkhill has a passion for sport, playing hockey at the international level. Throughout her school and university career, she had the opportunity to play hockey for her country, travelling to many places around the world to compete.
As a teacher, Miss Charlotte Corkhill describes herself as creative, encouraging and dedicated; having always encouraged children to take pride in their achievements, both by the way she responds to their work and the way it is displayed in a classroom. She sees this as a delicate balance; ensuring children celebrate their success and have a sense of pride in their work while giving them constructive feedback for improvement. Miss Charlotte Corkhill believes that every child, whatever their ability, should feel they have achieved at the end of each lesson.
Miss Charlotte Corkhill designs and delivers learning programmes that motivate, excite and challenge children. She feels Arcadia encapsulates her philosophy of being a teacher ensuring lessons are meaningful and targeted; ensuring each child develops a lasting desire to continually learn, grow and develop.
Mrs Sara Lowndes is an experienced educator, having lived and worked in Dubai for the last 14 years in various educational environments and in different capacities. With an extensive teaching background, Mrs Sara Lowndes is passionate about education. She has an undergraduate degree, Interior Architectural Design, (Hons) and a postgraduate teaching degree from Australia. Mrs Sara Lowndes is a creative and organised teacher who believes in forging strong relationships with the students, parents and colleagues.
Mr Enda Greaney is an enthusiastic and engaging science educator. He has been learning science ever since he could walk, talk and hold up a magnifying glass. He gained his undergraduate in Forensic Investigation and Analysis from the Institute of Technology Sligo, Ireland, then went on to work in Forensic Research Science and Pathology. His love and awe of the scientific world led him to enrol in a Professional Masters in Science Education at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. He has been teaching A Level Chemistry, GCSE Sciences and Mathematics for five years across Ireland, United Kingdom and Dubai. He brings a modern approach to teaching, using research-based and proven learning techniques to help students achieve learning in every lesson at their own ability and pace. The enthusiasm and love for science he possesses are vibrant and contagious whereby students of all types of interest enjoy the positive learning experiences he provides in lessons.
Miss Mufida Al Digeil has been working in the field of education for 20 years. With more than 10 years of experience in educational management and leadership, she is passionate about education and considers it her mission to make a difference in people's lives through teaching and leadership.
Miss Mufida is currently studying to recieve her Masters degree in Educational Leadership and Management.
Mrs. Jumana Hijazi is from Jordan, She has an Educational science Degree and certified educational advisor. She has been working in Jordan and UAE for over 7 years in National and IB schools with passion.
She has taught students from all over the world with different abilities, interests, and cultures.
She has worked with many special needs students, and she believes in their rights to learn and integrate with peers to be active members of society.
Mr.Mahmoud is a proficient educator who holds a Bachelor's degree in Arabic Language, complemented by two Diplomas in Special Needs and Mental Health. Accredited by KHDAand ADEK as an Arabic teacher, Mahmoud boasts a five-year tenure in UAE schools following Moe, British, and IB curriculum. Dedicated to crafting a dynamic and immersive learning environment, Mahmoud's mission is to ignite a profound admiration for language and culture, fostering effective communication skills and cultural empathy within a diverse student body. Leveraging innovative pedagogical approaches and interactive methodologies, his objective is to cultivate an enduring affection for the Arabic language while equipping students with invaluable linguistic and cross-cultural proficiencies.
Ms. Rama Taha from Syria, holds a BA in Arabic Language, has worked in UAE schools for more than five years, she has taught Arabic to Arab students with love and passion, Ms. Rama believes in students' abilities and potentials that have no limits, and always seeks to support them to be pioneers in their excellence Excellence in their creativity, and seeing them thrive and achieve their goals is her greatest success, and she is very excited to begin her journey at Arcadia School.
Mrs. Tamara Kuteish is a licensed ASL and ESL educator who holds a bachelor degree in Literature and Humanities, in addition to a PGCE in education. She has been working in UAE and abroad for 16 years in different international schools.
She is an enthusiastic and caring teacher who is always sure to inspire the desire for knowledge and success in her students, providing the motivation and the fun learning that students need. She is very passionate about education and excited to start her fourth year at Arcadia school.
Miss Asha Pathak has a wide range of experience across both key stages 1 and 2 spanning over 8 years' teaching experience. She qualified with a Law of Bachelors degree from the University of Sussex and studied a PGCE at Goldsmiths, University of London She has spent her career up until now teaching in London state-maintained schools where she has worked across middle leadership roles leading on English and Early Mathematics, and most recently, as a senior leader. She prides herself on her proven track record of driving improvement and raising standards whilst maintaining a healthy does of laughter! This will be her first year teaching abroad and at Arcadia, where she teaches in Year 4 and leads on Moral, Social and Cultural studies across Primary. At the heart of her practice, it is her passion in ensuring that every child in her care reaches their full potential. Beyond the classroom, she enjoys travelling, trying new food and embarking on new experiences as well as spending time with her family and friends.
Miss Mais Habeel graduated from Aleppo University in Syria, where I completed my studies in the Faculty of Arts.in addition to a PGCE in education. She has been working in UAE and abroad for 14 years in different international schools. as an Arabic B teacher. One of her most beautiful moments as a teacher is when she sees her students enjoying learning Arabic and using it confidently outside the classroom. This motivates her to create a dynamic, engaging learning environment where your child can thrive.
Marwa Elbaharawi an Egyptian citizen graduated from the faculty of education with a B.A. degree in Islamic studies and later did her diploma in Islamic studies. She has 12 years of teaching experience in various international schools.
Being a teacher to her means making a difference in children's lives. It is her passion to teach and facilitate the learning process for students. Marwa Elbaharawi believes that when pupils are interested and involved in all activities, it can effectively help them and create significant improvement. She aims to instil a love for learning in all her students. Every school day brings with it a new beginning. When she is not in school, she enjoys reading and traveling.
Mr Tom Gayler qualified as a teacher in 2012 from the Bishop Grosseteste University in his home town of Lincoln, England. For the first four years of his career, he worked in a small, rural village primary school. In the role, he has taught upper Key Stage Two and has had a particular interest in Mathematics, Computing and Physical Education.
During his time teaching in England, Mr Tom Gayler also qualified as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator. This means he can see the challenges that some children face and knows how good practise can combat these challenges, allowing all children to succeed. Thomas is hoping to complete the rest of his Masters degree in the next few years.
Mr Tom Gayler is one of our founding Our Teachers, having taught at The Arcadia School in our maiden year. As Mr Tom Gayler moves into his sixth years of teaching, he is taking on a new role as Head of Digital Innovation. He is excited to lead and develop the way we use the fantastic technology in school to improve our teaching and learning.
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.
Joining as a founding teacher, Mary has embarked upon a developmental journey into leadership which led firstly to Key Stage 2 Lead. Within this role, Mary successfully oversaw the improvement of student outcomes across Key Stage 2. Further to this, Mary also showed a particular passion for English, driving forward areas across the school including reading and writing.
Through continued exposure to whole school improvement and strategic planning, Mary's passion for leadership continued to grow which led to being successfully appointed as Arcadia's Head of Teaching and Learning. Within this role, Mary will be responsible for whole school improvement using outcomes from lesson observations and assessment data. Using information of this nature, Mary will develop the curriculum, ensure our staff have continual and relevant development and ultimately ensure that our students are engaged within a wholesome and efficient learning programme.
Using her previous experience as a teacher, Mary's approach was based on a rigorous structure intertwined with a current, stimulating, exciting and challenging curriculum which ultimately instils children with the open minds, knowledge and ability to view the world critically and believe that they can make a positive contribution to society. This will inform her guidance and development to teachers across the school.
Mary was drawn to The Arcadia School as an institution that promotes strong values for providing children with a joyful experience full of modern approaches to education, combining innovative teaching methods and advanced technological provision.
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.
Ivan Rigney graduated from the National University of Ireland, Galway with a Bachelor of Engineering degree. He was then given the opportunity to work on a research Masters in conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and attended several international conferences where he presented papers on his work. Whilst pursuing this Masters, he started to lecture and it is then that he developed a love of teaching. Since then, he has spent the last 16 years working in schools in Ireland, the UK, Egypt and the UAE. He firmly believes in the power of education and the difference that outstanding teachers and schools make to a student’s opportunities in life.
Ivan has been very fortunate to be part of and contribute to teams who have made significant improvements in each school he has worked in. He moved to Dubai 6 years ago, working as Head of Department for Maths and then as Assistant Principal in the Secondary School at GEMS World Academy. He joined the Arcadia family last year as the Head of Maths and is this year the Assistant Principal in Secondary.
Ivan and his family love living internationally and exploring countries and their cultures. Ivan is a very proud husband to Laura and the father of three amazing 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.
With over 14 years of experience in business and finance and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Pamela is passionate about shaping the future of organizations and helping them deliver growth. A high-energy, tenacious and goal-driven leader, she has a proven track record of identifying new opportunities, forging long-term strategic alliances, and offering clients real and innovative solutions to their problems.
Presently, Pamela is the Director of Strategic Alliances at Arcadia Education. In this capacity, she manages all non-academic activities like communications and digital strategy, events, partnerships and more. At the same time, she also serves as the General Manager of Secure Parking UAE where she oversees its day-to-day operations and drives its business growth. Previously, Pamela served as the Head of Business Strategy at London Business School (LBS), where she defined, set-up and delivered LBS Dubai business development and outreach strategy for the MENA region. Prior to that, she was Head of Customized Solutions at Thomson Reuters and spent eight years at Zawya where she led and managed the Financial Solutions Division.
Pamela is also a co-founder, board member and mentor at Reach, a non-profit organisation registered in DIFC that is dedicated to helping young professional women unlock their true potential through structured mentoring and professional support.
Ms Chikhani believes in continuous learning and self-development and holds several certifications from various prestigious institutes such as the Coach Training Institute (CTI), Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Association of International Product Marketing and Management (AIPMM). She is also a certified digital marketing expert, having earned this distinction from the prestigious Columbia Business School in the US. She has completed with Honors a Masters in Economics from the University of London in the UK 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 her current role as an Executive government relations in Arcadia, Ahlam Abu ALyaqien have worked in multiple schools gaining knowledge and vast experience along the way, recently and mainly as an admission Manager, Head of Marketing and KHDA Coordinator. Along the way, she gained the ability to influence and teach the future leaders along with possessing good communication and interpersonal skills to communicate with all levels of management.
Ahlam performed outstandingly in all evaluations according to the KHDA report which led to her being honored by KHDA for completing the tasks in a professional way.
Before moving to Dubai, she has lived in Jordan, where she was born and raised, also where she completed her bachelor’s degree in law firm at Yarmouk University which was delivered by lecturers who have had their PHD from UK, USA, and Europe universities.
Driven by her ambitious to enrich her knowledge, skills, and experience along with enriching the same to others, she is pursuing her dreams of becoming an educator where she can learn and share the knowledge as she is proud to be a part of Arcadia team, a highly environmentally conscious school, as she strongly believes that quality education is the key to 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.
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.
Patricia Mawunyo Hermann, is a purpose driven and ambitious individual who hails from Ghana in West Africa. She believes that; "Education Is The Key To Success''. Having moved to the UAE 7years ago and worked in similar roles across the education sector, Patricia with her expertise, is excited to bring her experience of dealing with diverse families to Arcadia. Patricia's role in admissions is to support all new families transitioning to the very esteemed community centered Arcadia School.
Patricia obtained her HND in Accra Technical University (formerly known as Accra Polytechnic), Accra - Ghana, where she graduated in Supply Chain Management and is currently exploring Business Administration possibilities in higher education.
Patricia has over 8 meaningful years’ experience within the administrative and customer services sectors both in Ghana and in the UAE. Her hobbies are reading, cooking and solo-moments at the beach and she also has a huge interest in Ghanaian politics and international football & basketball games.
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.
Deepak is the man we call upon if there’s anything we call upon from Engage, Follett, Tapestry, Seesaw, Classroom Monitor, Hardware and Network support or the AV system. He is an all rounder who has been looking after the multitude systems that are needed to keep online or on ground learning afloat.
Deepak moved to Dubai in 2016 and joined Arcadia’s sister concern Al Shirawi and was transferred to Arcadia as a founding member based on his previous experiences. He has completed his B.Tech degree and was in the software industry as a Software Developer and then moved on to be an ERP Software Engineer and help customize various solutions based on business needs.
Hari was born and raised in Chennai, India, the city known for its busy and fast-paced lifestyle, giving him an opportunity to grow up in a multicultural society. He completed his graduation and post-graduation in University of Madras, which was established in 1857, under the British government, and it is one of the oldest universities in India.Thereafter, he followed his passion and career goal in the field of Information Technology. Over the past 19 years, Hari has worked across the world as ‘Apple-certified technology consultant’ and the UAE has been his home since 2014. Since 2016 he has worked with the Arcadia family and is excited to be a part of a motivating, multilingual and international learning environment.
My Motto: Life has its highs and lows, but regardless of your situation, always remembers to be grateful.
Rahul Maheshwari graduated in Accounting and Finance in 2015 from the University of Mumbai, India. He is also an Intermediate Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He worked for two years with a Chartered Accountant firm in Mumbai as an Auditor where he was actively involved in statutory and internal audits. He was also a key member in developing internal control and accounting policies for various companies.
He moved to Dubai in 2018 and joined Arcadia School. He is currently working as an Accounts Officer overseeing the accounts and finance for Arcadia Schools. Rahul was a key member in devising accounting and financial strategies, implementing adequate internal and financial controls, administering the cash flow requirements, and financial reporting for Arcadia School. He was actively involved with the IT department in developing various system reports and MIS for enhancing the efficiency of the department. He played an important role along with the team in setting up the accounts department of Arcadia High School.
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".
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.
Mrs Sarah Cook is an experienced teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience across different countries, schools and year levels. Her time in Dubai has been dedicated to Early Years education, working in an outstanding ranked British school before joining the Arcadia community. Mrs Sarah Cook has a Bachelor of Education (Primary) from Sydney University, where she was selected to be a member of the ‘Golden Key’ society for her outstanding results. She is passionate about creating learning environments that are engaging for students and providing them with meaningful learning opportunities. Her goal is to have children grow up to be happy and curious and to guide and support them on their journey to becoming inquisitive, independent and life-long learners.
Sarah Jones is originally from Teesside, in the northeast of England. She acquired a first-class honours degree in Early Childhood Studies at Teesside University and has completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Sunderland University.
Being a Foundation Stage Specialist, Sarah has a deep-rooted passion for the early years and is committed to providing creative and unique learning opportunities for young children. Sarah believes in fostering positive relationships, enabling children to become lifelong, confident learners. Her holistic approach facilitates children's natural curiosity and allows them to challenge their thinking in a safe and stimulating environment.
Lauren Holden studied at the University of Cumbria in Lancaster completing her Bachelor of Arts with Qualified Teacher Status. She taught in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage Two in the UK before moving to Dubai to work for Emirates Airlines. This role gave her the opportunities to work and connect with people from other nationalities and gain first-hand experience into many different cultures. These experiences inspired Miss Holden to continue her career as a teacher in an international setting. She has a passion for the Early Years and has been teaching in the Foundation Stage in Dubai for 3 years. This involved a role as Head of House, planning whole school events, and providing guidance and support to students in her team to exceed their potential.
Holden strives for her classroom to be inclusive and creative and for the students in her class to become independent and curious learners. She is passionate about developing links between the classroom and local community, in particular with sustainable and charitable organisations. In her home life, Miss Holden still has a passion for travelling as well as exploring the UAE with her rescue dog.
Niamh Reynolds is a qualified Early Years and Primary Teacher from Dublin, Ireland. She graduated from Dublin City University with a Bachelor of Education degree in 2017. Niamh spent four years teaching in Dublin in an inner city DEIS school (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools). Over these four years she spent her time teaching and leading across Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. Niamh has been a member of the Arcadia family for three years now, teaching in various areas across the school. From teaching performing arts and art to Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, to working as a class teacher in Year 2. While she has loved this experience and gained many transferable skills, her passion lies with our youngest learners and she is super excited to return to the Foundation Stage team this year as FS2 class teacher and year lead. Day to day, Niamh believes in creating a caring and safe learning environment where students are motivated to become curious, independent and lifelong learners. She strives to promote positive relationships amongst parents, carers and students as these are the key components of a successful school experience for our students. "
Becky Evans grew up in Brighton before moving to London where she gained a first-class honour teaching degree. She began her working career in a primary school in South-London, this is where she developed her passion for the Early Years. She has been teaching in the UK for six years and during this time, has delivered quality provision across the foundation stage. She is now part of the Arcadia family, looking forward to sharing her skills and continue developing as a dedicated and creative Early Years teacher.
In the classroom Becky Evans follows a child centred approach, encouraging children to take learning into their own hands in a safe and engaging environment. When Becky is not teaching, she relishes travelling opportunities and enjoys reading for pleasure and swimming.
Micaela Jenkins brings a wide experience having worked for thirteen years in both Special Educational Needs and Mainstream education establishments in the UK and she has been a long term member of the Foundation Stage team at The Arcadia School.
As well as being a fully qualified UK teacher, Micaela Jenkins has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree in Early Years from Huddersfield University.
As well as being a talented and dedicated Early Years teacher, Micaela Jenkins is also an aspiring children's author and aims to publish a book as one of her life long goals.
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.
Robyn Barnes completed a BA in Child and Youth Studies before going on to complete her PDGE in Primary Education at the University Of Dundee in Perth, Scotland. Prior to this, Robyn worked in an EYFS setting for three years.
In between her studies, Robyn has spent three years working at a children's summer camp in the USA. She is very enthusiastic and creating fun activities so this was the perfect place to grown and develop her skills over the years.
In the classroom, Robyn places high importance on developing positive relationships and creating a nurturing and positive environment putting children's needs and interests at the centre of her practice. She is also very passionate about play-based learning and cannot wait to welcome her new class at Arcadia!
In her spare time, Robyn loves skiing, hiking and reading. Recently she has started teaching herself to play the guitar!
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.
Bibi Neelofar Bocus acquired a First-Class BA Honours degree in Primary Education at the University of Greenwich in London. She began her working career as a teacher in Key Stage One, where she developed her keen interest in phonics and language development. Bibi believes it is important to create an environment that fosters life-long learning by recognising that all students are individuals and that everyone learns in their own unique way. Her practice reflects this through the application of inclusive, collaborative, and creative strategies across different subjects. Bibi is now looking forward to sharing her pedagogical understanding and developing as dynamic Year One Teacher at Arcadia.
Lauren Fitzgibbon completed her studies in Australia and has been working with children for the past 10 years. Lauren specialises in the Early Years and has a true passion in teaching through play. Lauren's teaching philosophy is central to three key beliefs, these being: 1) To ensure each child feels as though they belong, 2) To create a classroom culture that is kind and supportive of one another, and 3) Making sure there is lots of time for being silly and having fun!
Tia Neale is an inspirational and passionate teacher. One of her central beliefs is the importance of creating a positive learning environment, where there are high expectations of all children. With ten years experience in primary and early years, Mrs Tia's aim is to inspire young inquisitive minds by delivering lessons which are engaging, exciting and challenging, motivating all of the children to reach their full potential. Mrs Tia Neale is enjoying being part of the Arcadia team and at influencing the start of the children's lifelong learning journey.
Melissa Phillips holds a PGCE, specialising in Early Years, as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours in Early Years education and Health Studies, from Liverpool Hope University.
Phillips has successfully taught across both stages in a primary school in Bolton, Lancashire for the past 11 years. She has led a variety of areas, including Geography, EYFS and personal development, and was a member of the senior leadership team.
Phillips is a passionate teacher, who instils a love of learning in all of her pupils, providing memorable learning experiences which spark curiosity. Building positive relationships with her pupils and their parents lies at the core of her teaching, as she believes that children reach their potential when they feel safe and happy. She is very excited to continue her teaching journey at Arcadia, and is looking forward to meeting her new class.
In her spare time, Phillips enjoys reading, painting and being outdoors. She is new to Dubai, and lives with her 2 children, who are all ready to explore and become a part of a new community.
Lucy Caitlin Grier graduated with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Edinburgh. Since then, Lucy Caitlin Grier has taught in Scotland, Spain and has spent the last 4 years teaching in an English curriculum school in Dubai. She has gained a breadth of experience working with children from all over the world. Miss Lucy Grier has taught across a wide range of year groups from Foundation Stage 1 to Key Stage 2. In her previous schools, Lucy Caitlin Grier has joined the school in their founding year and has helped develop the curriculum and policies.
Lucy Caitlin Grier describes herself as a positive and compassionate professional who is dedicated to meeting the needs of every child. She enjoys building relationships with parents and colleagues to support a whole community approach. In addition to this, Lucy Caitlin Grier has been involved in the Parent/Teachers Association and has coordinated the Dubai Well-being Census.
Outside of the school, she enjoys taking part in sports such as golf and skiing. Dubai has provided Lucy Caitlin Grier with fantastic opportunities to travel and she looks forward to exploring the city further and the new and exciting experiences Arcadia has to offer.
Originally from Lancashire, England Alexandra studied at King's College, London and obtained aBA (Hons) degree in English Language. Her passion for writing saw her embark on successful career as an Account Manager at a high-profile London based PR Agency, before commencing before commencing her teaching career, following the completion of a PGCE in Education at St. Mary's College,Twickenham and then a number of years as a KS2 Teacher and Curriculum Lead at an Outstanding Primary School in Kensington and Chelsea.
After a year spent travelling and volunteering in Schools in Africa and Nepal, Alexandra spent 5 years at a British International School in Bangkok, Thailand and the last 2 years at an IB School in Dubai, UAE. Throughout her career she has taught in EYFS, KS1 and KS2 and taken on a number of roles including Eco Schools Lead, Director of Social Studies, Head of CPD and Assistant Head of Primary. As a keen dancer, she has also run a number of Dance ASAs, trained students for competitions and choreographed many a School Production! Alexandra is passionate about nurturing a love of learning in all students and equipping them with essential 21 st Century skills; embedding entrepreneurship, innovation and environmentalism. In her spare time, Alexandra enjoys cooking, cycling and visiting the UAE's beautiful beaches with her husband and two young daughters.
Obianuju Udu holds a PGCE in Primary Education from the University of Birmingham. Before joining Arcadia, she worked for the last decade, supporting a variety of primary schools and all age groups, from Foundation Stage to Year 6.
She aims to inspire curious young minds and is very passionate about children's learning. She strives to embody excellence and innovation in the classroom by igniting a passion for exploration in every child. Her teaching philosophy is 'given the right resources every child can achieve their full potential.' Mrs Udu has lived in Dubai for over 8 years with her husband and two children who both attend the Arcadia School.
Chloe Southgate began her teaching career studying Primary Education at the University of Hertfordshire and graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Education degree. She taught Year 5 and 6 in London for two years before making the exciting decision to move to the United Arab Emirates! Since then, Miss Southgate has taught in Key Stage Two in a primary school in Abu Dhabi. Her roles included Head of Year 4, leading dance and gymnastics club and being part of the Behaviour for Learning Committee. Chloe Southgate's favourite subject is English and Art. She loves to develop creativity and believes that there is no ceiling to learning as all children have the ability to reach for the stars and inspire others to do the same.
During her fifth year in the UAE, Miss Southgate hopes to make more memories at Arcadia School and welcomes the new children into her adventurous, exciting and fun classroom. In her spare time, Chloe Southgate enjoys being outside. She loves to travel and learn more about other cultures and is hopeful that next year will provide the same opportunities.
Emma Louise Wastall graduated from the University of Worcester with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours Degree in Integrated Early childhood studies. She then went on to complete a PGCE in primary education with a specialism in Early Years and lower primary. Since university, Emma Louise Wastall has taught in a diverse school in the West Midlands UK, teaching across key stage 1 and has worked as the schools PE coordinator.
Emma Louise Wastall is a hardworking, dedicated and passionate teacher who forges strong relationships with students, parents and colleagues. She ensures a child centred, hands-on and interactive learning environment, where children are actively engaged and given opportunities to be independent lifelong learners.
Away from the classroom, Emma Louise Wastall is a keen traveller and is excited to make the move from the UK to Dubai and feels extremely privileged to be given the opportunity to join the Arcadia family.
Miss van de Stouwe is an experienced Primary KS2 teacher having worked in inner-city schools in both London and Manchester, UK. Using her background in journalism, she has a passion for developing children’s knowledge through questioning and investigation and encourages children to take ownership of their learning experience. Miss van de Stouwe believes in creating a calm, safe environment within the classroom where all children feel happy and ready to learn.
Outside of the classroom, Miss van de Stouwe enjoys staying active by rowing on the water and broadening her own experiences through travel.
Ms Ouseley completed her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at the University of Chester. Alongside this, she mentored students in local primary schools. She was later awarded with ‘The Chester Difference Award for Outstanding Achievement’ for her fantastic work, supporting children to develop socially, emotionally and academically. Subsequently, she completed her Primary PGCE before moving out to teach in Dubai, where she has taught across Key Stage 1 and worked in various middle leadership positions.
In the classroom, Ms Ouseley seeks positive relationships with her students; getting to know each individual holistically. She builds on their personal strengths and integrates their interests into fun and engaging learning opportunities. Ms Ouseley develops independent, hardworking and confident students with a passion to learn. In her spare time, Ms Ouseley enjoys running and horse riding.
Ms Akinola is a dedicated and enthusiastic educator with 14 years of experience in primary education. In that time, she has worked in a variety of roles across KS1 and KS2. She completed a degree in Applied Psychology from Durham University and qualified with a Primary PGCE from the Institute of Education, London after many years working as a teaching assistant and playworker. Ms Akinola is known for her ability to use humor and creative dramatics to foster a positive, supportive, and inclusive classroom environment so students feel safe taking risks and exploring new ideas. By utilizing a variety of innovative teaching methods and resources, Ms Akinola ensures that all students can become independent learners who actively engage with the curriculum and reach their full potential. Beyond her role as a classroom teacher, Ms Akinola spends a lot of her time enjoying the great outdoors with her family. She is incredibly passionate about inline skating, dance and exploring what the world has to offer in terms of food, culture, and history. Ms Akinola is excited to continue her journey as an educator at Arcadia School, empowering and inspiring her students to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and compassionate individuals.
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.
Miss Murden is very excited to join the Arcadia team. Miss Murden graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She then studied for her PGCE in Primary Education and has recently acquired a distinction in her Masters in Teaching Studies also from the University of Birmingham. Miss Murden has taught across Birmingham in a number of diverse schools and has teaching experience across Key Stage 1 and 2.
Miss Murden's previous role as EAL Lead inspired her love for teaching writing. She plans and delivers innovative and creative lessons to ensure that a love of stories is shared amongst every child in her classroom.
As a teacher, Miss Murden prioritises building strong relationships with pupils and parents and is passionate about creating a safe environment where children are unafraid to take risks and to be curious about their learning.
Miss Kilcran is delighted to be joining the Arcadia community this year. Originally from the North-East of England, Miss Kilcran graduated from the University of Leicester with a BA (Hons) degree in History, followed by a PGCE in Primary Education from St Mary’s University, Twickenham. She has experience teaching across the breadth of KS1 and KS2. For the last three years, Miss Kilcran has taught at a primary school in Teesside, where she experienced a middle leadership position as a subject leader. She believes in fostering a positive learning community where pupils are actively engaged, confident and supportive of their peers. Miss Kilcran enjoys building positive relationships with children and parents to best support all children in becoming lifelong independent learners and achieving their best.
Donal Brian O Duibheannaigh (Devenney) qualified with a Bachelor of Education degree from Dublin City University in 2016. Donal Brian O Duibheannaigh (Devenney) began his teaching career gaining experience working in a large Senior Primary School in Ireland. He then spent two years working as a Key Stage 2 Teacher in Dubai before joining the team at Arcadia. He has worked on his previous school's Innovation and IT committees, helping them to implement the creative use of IT into the teaching and learning process.
Donal Brian O Duibheannaigh (Devenney) prides himself in his interactive and engaging style of teaching. He always centres the students' interests at the forefront of his lessons and he places a strong emphasis on building positive relationships with students and parents. Outside of teaching Donal Brian O Duibheannaigh (Devenney) has a keen interest in football, athletics and swimming. He loves sharing his passion for sports to the students he teaches.
Emma Ann Brown graduated from the University of Northampton with a Bachelor of Education and has four years of experience teaching in the UK across Key Stages 1 and 2. She brings creativity and dedication to provide a positive learning experience for all students and provides engaging lessons that embed a love of learning in her students. Emma Ann Brown believes in listening to her students, to parents, carers and colleagues and working together to build positive relationships so that children are well supported and nurtured throughout their learning journey. She wants her students to feel proud of every step they take towards reaching their full potential.
Away from the classroom, Emma Ann Brown continues her lifelong love of learning through reading and travelling.
Mr Fitt is very excited to begin teaching in Arcadia School. He graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a BA in History. Since then, he has worked for Premier Education teaching PE in schools in the UK for a year. He then went on to teach English as a foreign language in Italy for a year before returning to the UK to begin his teacher training. He's worked in the UK for 6 years across Key Stage 2 and is very passionate about developing a growth mindset in children's learning. In his spare time, Mr Fitt enjoys playing all types of sport and loves travelling to new countries, trying out new foods and learning about different cultures.
Jane Rachel Mottram has been a primary school teacher since 2018. Originally from Sheffield, she completed her Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree in Primary Education at Nottingham Trent University and then relocated to Manchester, where she taught KS2 for the following three years.
During her time in Manchester, Jane Rachel Mottram supported the maths subject lead in implementing a mastery curriculum across the school, which worked towards ensuring children had a deep understanding of their learning. She also researched and developed an aspirations curriculum, with the aim to inspire and motivate all children to achieve their goals and to aim high, regardless of any barriers to learning they may face.
Jane Rachel Mottram describes herself as positive, passionate and inquisitive. She strongly believes that, through creating an inclusive, nurturing classroom environment, children will thrive and evolve into confident, independent and resilient learners.
Miss Charlotte Sheridan is delighted to be joining Arcadia this academic year and returning to Dubai after she spent her childhood here. Prior to starting at Arcadia, Miss Sheridan taught in East London where she was a class teacher and Head of PE. Miss Sheridan gained her undergraduate degree in Education and Social Justice from the University of Birmingham, she then went on to obtain her Primary PGCE from University College London, where she specialised in using Oracy and talk in the classroom. This has since become a real passion of hers and she is excited to be introducing Philosophy for Children to the Arcadia curriculum.
Christopher Allan Shrubsole graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with a degree in Business Management. Since then, Chris has gained his QTS certification and completed an MSC in Educational Leadership & Management. Completing an M.S. in Educational Leadership and Management has given him a huge insight into leadership & learning in educational establishments. Prior to joining Arcadia, Chris has taught at Rashid School for Boys and GEMS World Academy. This included roles as Team Leader and Data and Assessment Coordinator.
As a teacher, Christopher Allan Shrubsole believes that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Showing them the beauty and skills they possess inside gives them a sense of pride to make it easier to succeed. Reminding children that laughter helps them to learn means that we can always have fun and exciting learning environments.
Outside of school, Chris enjoys playing golf, cooking, and spending time with his family. Dubai has provided Mr. Shrubsole with fantastic opportunities to travel and he looks forward to exploring the city further and the new and exciting experiences Arcadia has to offer.
Mr. Reid is an innovative teacher specialising in English with over a decade of experience working in
UK and UAE schools. Having earned a degree in English & Education in Lincoln, UK, he taught at an
OFSTED Outstanding primary school for a number of years before moving to the UAE in 2017.
His passion for English and dedication to his pupils saw him rise to Elite English Lead for the entire
Al Ain region before becoming the Year 6 English specialist at Arcadia.
Mr. Reid is a great believer in
developing personal responsibility and leading by example. He is passionate about language’s power as
a tool to communicate and strives to develop a key awareness of intent at all times. Outside of school you can find him reading anything from Umberto Eco to a Haynes manual.
Miss Edel Hickey was qualified with a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Limerick in 2014. She spent the first part of her teaching career in Ireland where she gained wide experience teaching across a range of rural and city primary schools. Prior to moving to Dubai Miss Edel Hickey was promoted to the role of Acting Deputy Principal.
Miss Edel Hickey has taught for two years in Dubai, as a Class Teacher and Science Coordinator. Miss Edel Hickey prides herself on her active and engaging approach to teaching and learning. She is an organised and enthusiastic teacher, who is practical and creative. She believes building positive relationships with children and parents is the key to a successful learning journey.
Ms Taylor is very excited to be joining the Arcadia team this academic year. She has taught in the UAE and UK for five years and gained her degree in Primary Education with an English Specialism at the University of Roehampton in London.
Ms Taylor has a passion for being creative in the classroom, often bringing elements of her musical background to her teaching. She enjoys integrating technology into her teaching and believes that this adds more opportunities for an inclusive, personalised and engaging learning experience for her students.
Ms Taylor is looking forward to making this academic year a memorable one for her Year 6 pupils.
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.
Ms Abena Appiah is an experienced educator passionate about teaching English and instilling a love for reading in students. With eight years of teaching experience, she has positively influenced numerous learners. Abena obtained her PGCE from University College London (UCL) and recently completed a Master of Science in Learning and Teaching at the University of Oxford. She is an accredited lead practitioner by the SSAT (UK), recognised for her expertise in education and ability to inspire fellow teachers. Aside from her classroom role, Abena served as the Reading Lead at a school in London and Dubai, dedicated to improving literacy skills and fostering a reading culture. She collaborated with the Open University to develop effective reading practices for primary and secondary students. Additionally, she has five years of experience as an examiner for AQA English GCSE and is eager to support students at Arcadia School with her English teaching as they continue to foster a love for English. Abena believes in lifelong learning and has a keen interest in French language and culture. Outside the classroom, Ms Appiah enjoys reading, pilates, watching football, and discovering new cuisines with her family. "
Linda Rooney is a Maths and Science teacher qualified from the University of Limerick in 2009 after receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Science Education. Following this, she moved to the UK where she achieved qualified teacher status and continued working in a school in South East England for 6 years. After this Linda moved to Dubai and has been here ever since.
Mrs Rooney would describe herself as hardworking, dedicated, energetic and dependable. Her experience working in both the UK and UAE have helped her to develop both her teaching and leadership skills. Throughout her career, Mrs Rooney has been promoted to various roles of responsibility. In her most recent position, she was the Deputy Head of Mathematics and now will be working in both Maths and Science as a Team Leader.
Miss Lipka is a highly driven Maths teacher who is both deeply passionate about her subject and pursuing the very best for all of her students.
Prior to Arcadia, Miss Lipka worked in an inner-city London high school where she was the KS4 Maths Coordinator, responsible for the GCSE Maths curriculum and assessment. Miss Lipka designed an engaging and robust Maths curriculum that encouraged deep thinking and fostered resilience and confidence. She also often led staff training sessions, and especially enjoyed mentoring trainee teachers.
Miss Lipka sat on the Board of Governors for a local primary school, with a key focus on teaching and learning. This role enabled her to monitor the implementation of T&L practices in the school, ensuring that all students are able to access their learning.
Miss Lipka holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Physics with Sports Science from Loughborough University, as well as a PGCE in Secondary Mathematics Education. She has recently completed her Master’s Degree in Education, her dissertation focussing on nurturing female students in STEM subjects. Miss Lipka is a reflective practitioner who regularly engages with research and refines her practice by implementing ideas informed by evidence.
In her free time, Miss Lipka enjoys sport and fitness; her hobbies include CrossFit, paddle-boarding, and cycling. As a multi-linguist, speaking fluent Polish and Ukrainian, Miss Lipka is eager to learn new languages and is currently studying Spanish.
Gareth Stevens is an experienced educator with eleven years of service in the education field, specializing in mathematics instruction. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Ontario in Canada, providing him with a solid foundation in pedagogy and instructional strategies. To stay updated on evolving educational trends and research, Gareth actively seeks professional development opportunities.
One of Gareth's notable qualities is his knack for creating a positive and inclusive classroom environment where students can comfortably explore new ideas and take academic risks. He values the individual strengths of each student and employs a diverse range of teaching methods and resources to ensure all students can actively engage with the curriculum and reach their full potential.
Outside of work, Gareth enjoys spending time with his wife and seven-year-old daughter. Playing basketball, golf, reading, cooking, playing board games and of course travelling.
Enda Joseph Greaney is an enthusiastic and engaging science educator. He has been learning science ever since he could walk, talk and hold up a magnifying glass. He gained his undergraduate in Forensic Investigation and Analysis from the Institute of Technology Sligo, Ireland, then went on to work in Forensic Research Science and Pathology. His love and awe of the scientific world led him to enrol in a Professional Masters in Science Education at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. He has been teaching A Level Chemistry, GCSE Sciences and Mathematics for five years across Ireland, United Kingdom and Dubai. He brings a modern approach to teaching, using research-based and proven learning techniques to help students achieve learning in every lesson at their own ability and pace. The enthusiasm and love for science he possesses are vibrant and contagious whereby students of all types of interest enjoy the positive learning experiences he provides in lessons.
Sara Hassan is a dedicated and passionate teacher with five years of experience teaching Biology, STEM and Medical Sciences up to A-level. She is driven by her enthusiasm for Biology and her commitment to nurturing young minds. Having completed a PGCE in Biology from King's College London, Sara possesses an excellent foundation in pedagogy and instructional strategies. She continues to seek professional development opportunities to ensure her methods are continuously refined. Sara Hassan encourages students to invest their time and best efforts by promoting curiosity as well as academic rigour; she delivers memorable and engaging lessons that stimulate inquisitiveness. Sara believes that her duty as a teacher is to create opportunities for all students to access the curriculum, thereby, allowing students of all interests to develop the skills to become confident and independent learners. Beyond her role as a biology teacher, Sara actively participates in extracurricular activities and school initiatives. She has been involved in several educational trips, served as a mentor for trainee teachers, and collaborated with colleagues to create new curriculums and teaching materials. Outside of school, Sara enjoys reading, travelling and new experiences which add to her growth as a well-rounded individual and interesting Biology teacher. Sara is thrilled to continue her journey as an educator, encouraging her students to become knowledgeable individuals who aim to make a positive impact on the world around them.
Ms. Harrison is delighted to join the Arcadia family as the Head of MSCS in Secondary. She has completed both her Bachelors and Masters degree in Humanities and Education in Ireland and is excited to bring a new perspective to her role. She hopes to empower and inspire her students to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers and compassionate individuals and looks forward to continuing her own journey as an educator with Arcadia.
Having completed her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Secondary Education in Australia, Ms Rebekah brings a strong passion for education to her classroom. Alongside teaching Business GCSE, she is the lead the Centre for Entrepreneurial Leadership program, where she is keen to inspire and guide students in exploring their innovative and entrepreneurial potential. Beyond academics, Ms Rebekah loves participating in school projects, including organizing business challenges, cultivating sustainable gardens, singing in the choirs, and collaborating on musical productions. Outside the school, her interests are diverse. She is an avid weightlifter, plays Dungeons and Dragons, and indulges her passions for creative outlets such as painting, digital art, music and interior design.
Laura Jayne Hitchings graduated from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David with both a BA HONS in Fine Art and an Art and Design PGCE. Since graduating Laura Jayne Hitchings has experience teaching students aged 3 -18 including the subjects of Art and Design, Textiles, Food Technology and Ceramics in both the UK and New York.
Laura Jayne Hitchings delivers all lessons with great enthusiasm for her subject, motivating and inspiring confidence in learners, providing an uplifting atmosphere to the class. Laura Jayne Hitchings aspires to give students individual learning opportunities through different themes that enrich and enhance the taught curriculum including skills such as drawing, painting, sculpture and print work.
During her spare time, Laura Jayne Hitchings enjoys travelling, experiencing new cultures, visiting galleries to discover new artists and producing her own art and photography.
Laura Jayne Hitchings is excited to be working at Arcadia to develop art and design technology into integrated topics, and motivating individual learners to stimulate their creativity to produce excellent outcomes in our premium facilities.
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.
Niamh Maria Reynolds is from Dublin, Ireland. This year in Arcadia she will be teaching performing arts (Dance, Drama, Music) and Art in Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. Niamh has always had a keen interest in the arts, studying both classical and modern ballet from the young age of four. As her love for dance and performing arts grew, she then became a ballet teacher where she prepared children for examinations, recitals and yearly shows.
This is where Niamh's passion for teaching and working with children began. She then decided to undergo a Bachelor of Education degree in Dublin City University, graduating in 2017. Over the last 4 years she has taught across foundation stage and key stage one in a large school in Dublin. Niamh incorporates all elements of the arts into her everyday teaching as she believes the arts allow children to explore their emotions, expand their imagination and help them to develop their own unique voice. Alongside the role of class teacher Niamh worked as a Year Leader and was an active member of the arts committee, choreographing whole school musicals, concerts and talent shows and leading both dance and art clubs for all ages. In her spare time, she enjoys staying active and travelling to explore new countries and cultures.
Niamh is extremely excited to take on her new role in Arcadia as a performing arts/art teacher, she hopes to motivate and inspire young learners to become confident and creative performers and artists.
Mrs Hullon graduated from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland with a BA Hons in Art and Design Education. She also has a specialism in Graphic Design. Having previously taught in Ireland as well as in an International school in Egypt she is excited to return to Dubai where she attended both DESS and Dubai College. She enjoys all types of Art and Design as well as photography and is a practicing Artist, bringing real life skills into the classroom. Arcadia is a wonderful environment for children to flourish Artistically and Mrs Hullon is delighted to be a part of it.
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 Andy Lyon is an experienced teacher of twelve years specialising in Computer Science and ICT. Originally from Lancashire in the North of England but based in London for a decade, he is an avid fan of using technology to improve peoples' lives and has a particular passion for the use of Apple technology in teaching and learning.
Mr Andy Lyon is hardworking, organised and aims to improve education for all, through the use of digital devices. He believes learning about technology should not be complex and confusing but creative and intuitive. He is a Google Certified Trainer.
In his spare time, Mr Andy Lyon enjoys playing and watching football. He is a fan of lifelong learning and is always attempting to develop new skills and to broaden his horizons.
"Mrs Dal is an experienced and dedicated teacher who has been working in the field of education for over 10 years. Her passion for teaching and unwavering commitment to student success has had a significant impact on the lives of her students. In addition to her extensive experience, Mrs Dal has worked in the Middle East for 9 years, and as Head of Progress for 5 of those years. This significant role has provided her with the opportunity to make valuable contributions to both the pastoral and academic growth of students. She understands the importance of continuously learning and growing as an educator. Mrs Dal's dedication to professional development not only expands her knowledge but also enriches her teaching practices. She enthusiastically integrates new approaches and effective strategies in her teaching.
Outside of school, Mrs Dal enjoys embarking on adventures and immersing herself in the vibrant cultures of various countries. Her passion for travel and exploration fuels her desire to provide her students with exceptional learning experiences. By continuously updating her expertise and skills, Mrs Dal is dedicated to creating a nurturing and engaging learning environment where students can thrive and develop into well-rounded individuals. "
"Sania George holds a degree in Computer Engineering and has more than a decade of experience in Software Development and Database Management. Her professional journey commenced as a Developer at Infosys, a multinational corporation, where she gained her expertise in real-time bug resolution and creative problem-solving.
Born as daughter to parents who were School Headteachers, it was an all-time dream for her to work in a school .This combined with her passion for data and technology, Sania embarked on a career path in the UAE as Data Manager at GEMS Westminster School in 2018. She is now excited to work at Arcadia, where the spirit of lifelong learning is fostered. In an ever-evolving world of computers, technology, and data analysis, she firmly believes that sound decision-making at all levels is built upon a solid foundation of data analysis and insights."
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.
Kieran teaches FS, LKS2 and UKS2 at Arcadia. She studies in South Africa as well as at the RCM in London and specialised in Clarinet, Chamber Music and teaching. Kieran believes in establishing music and the performing arts as a hobby for life as well as building self esteem and confidence through performing, participating in lessons and having fun around music. Kieran is an enthusiastic long distance open water swimmer and Ironman triathlete in her space time and has a dog called Louis.
Mr Johns graduated with his Bachelor's Degree with honours in Performance Industries back in 2012. He started playing the drums at the age of 14 and has performed live for audiences from the age of 15 and still performs now. After graduating one year early and moved back to his home city of London in 2013 where he worked with various artists and musicians on multiple projects, performing at festivals, UK tours & recorded albums. His recording studio experience and cover work meant that over time he also picked up Piano, Guitar, Bass and singing. Mr Johns moved back to Devon in 2018 and completed his PGCE in Secondary Education at Plymouth University in 2019. He has taught music across Devon since before moving here to Dubai with Arcadia. The Career that Mr. Johns has had so far, mixed with his charismatic personality makes him a fun and inspiring music teacher that students find easy to get along with and learn from. “Having positive relationships with students is extremely important and helps create a happy and safe learning environment. This helps students reach their full potential not just within music but also when building their confidence, creativity & collaboration skills. In 1 year the music department has blossomed with a number of bands and performances and Mr JJ is looking forward to continuing with Arcadia.
Mr Johns graduated with his Bachelor Degree with honours in Performance Industries back in 2012. He started playing drums from the age of 14 and has performed live for audiences from the age of 16. Mr Johns went on to study music full time at the Academy of Music and Sound Exeter, in the south west of the UK. He graduated one year early and moved back to his home city of London in 2013 where he worked with various artists and musicians on multiple projects, performing at festivals, UK tours & recorded albums. His recording studio experience and cover work meant that over time he also picked up Piano, Guitar, Bass & Singing. Mr Johns moved back to Devon in 2018 and completed his Post Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education at Plymouth University in 2019. He taught music for the following 3 years across Devon before moving here to Dubai with Arcadia. The Career that Mr Johns has had so far mixed with his charismatic personality makes him a fun and inspiring music teacher that students find easy to get along with and learn from. “Having positive relationships with students is extremely important and helps create a happy and safe learning environment. This helps students reach their full potential not just within music but also when building their confidence, creativity & collaboration skills.” Mr Johns is excited for his time at Arcadia and is ready to push the Music here to the next level. In his spare time Mr Johns enjoys anything that involves speed! Whether it's jet skiing, racing cars, quad biking or watching Formula 1. He looks forward to giving skydiving a go."
Ms. Katrina Spartalis is a CDA licensed social counselor with a profound commitment to championing the well-being of young people. Over the past six years, she has had the privilege of working as a counselor in the vibrant multicultural landscape of Dubai. During this time, her scope of practice has encompassed a diverse range of students, including children aged 4-18, adults, families, and esteemed school staff members. She prides herself on being an enthusiastic, positive and compassionate counsellor who cares deeply about those in her care.
Miss Amy is a highly motivated, knowledgeable and enthusiastic teacher with wide international teaching experience. She has developed effective and organised teaching practice with diverse groups of students based on a fair, kind, calm and consistent approach.
Miss Amy qualified as a teacher in 2013 with a PGCE from Nottingham University and is looking forward to graduating in a Master of Education before the end of . Most recently, Miss Amy has been working as the whole school Head of Science and a Key Stage 1 Teacher in a bilingual school in Dubai. Before moving to Dubai, Miss Amy lived in Spain and France where she enjoyed the opportunity to work with EAL students and bilingual schools.
Miss Kathryn Corken first developed a passion for teaching whilst working as a British Council English Language Assistant in France, during her University year abroad. After graduation she worked as a lectrice at the Université de Savoie, and decided to train as a teacher, completing her PGCE at the University of Oxford. Miss Kathryn Corken describes herself as conscientious, friendly, and passionate about teaching, travel and languages.
Before joining Arcadia, Miss Kathryn Corken spent 5 years teaching at a school in the south- east of England, where she was Head of French, Head of House, and Co- ordinator for Additional Languages.
Ms Chrystelle Raphael is excited to be part of the Arcadia family as a French teacher in Primary and Secondary. She used to be a tenured primary school teacher and French teacher in France. Her passion for writing and her degrees in English language & literature, Tourism and Communication allowed her to develop her areas of expertise. She wants to help students to develop their skills in French but also to understand the importance of being curious, daring to explore different areas and developing their full potential.
Miss Anna is from Catalonia (Spain), where she studied a degree in Early Childhood Education. As a child she always dreamed of taking part in an Erasmus programme so during her studies she did an internship in Instituto Español Vicente Cañada Blanch, a Spanish school in London. This experience inspired her to live abroad and pursue becoming part of a multicultural community. Before joining Arcadia, she taught Spanish and Creative Arts at Riverside International School in Prague, where she worked for 7 years.
Miss Anna believes that educators are meant to inspire and accompany children throughout their development keeping them motivated, curious and engaged as well as helping them take ownership of their learning and bring out the best of themselves
Besides working with children, she enjoys travelling, art, photography and sports, among others.
Shazia Jindani has recently moved to Dubai after graduating with her Bachelor of Arts and earning her Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials from California State University, Long Beach. She has been working at Arcadia as a Support Teacher and as a Foundation Stage Cover Teacher last year, providing support to students of all profiles at the school. She is incredibly passionate about creating inclusive and positive learning environments for all children that enables success, both emotionally and academically.
She is thrilled to return back to Arcadia as the Library and Literacy Lead this year and looks forward to creating positive learning experiences with reading and literacy through creative and collaborative approaches. She is also looking forward to continue promoting the love of reading at the school and community through different initiatives and events.
Beyond the classroom, Shazia is passionate about positive youth development and volunteers for various programs and events within the community to organise, execute, and create content for youth camps, where children learn and build on essential skills.
Ms. Kelsey Daignault began her educational journey by completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and French Language. After completing her second Bachelor degree in Education, she began her teaching career in her home country of Canada in 2005. Having a passion to understand the world not only through teaching but also in travel and learning through experience, she started her international teaching adventure in 2012.
Ms. Kelsey Daignault has taught in Macau, China, South Africa and Namibia and lastly in the UAE for the past two years. Prior to joining Arcadia, Ms.Kelsey Daignault was teaching in the IB MYP Program in Dubai. This included roles as Year 7 subject leader, Form Tutor in Year 9 and Year 10, as well as coaching sports at various levels.
Having the opportunity to meet and teach students in these international settings has provided an enriched learning experience, she embraces new cultures, and values new challenges.
Ms. Kelsey Daignault describes herself as a positive person who is enthusiastic about life. She is caring and outgoing and loves her job. She gets a great sense of achievement from seeing her students develop and grow as individuals.
Miss Eleanor Hewson is a Geography teacher dedicated to making a difference to her students and the way they understand their world. Upon completing her secondary education in Riyadh, Eleanor always made it her goal to return to the Middle East and teach internationally. She gained a BSc Honours degree in Geography at Newcastle University before completing her PGCE. She was appointed Subject Lead for Geography at her last school in Manchester (UK) and is an examiner for the AQA GCSE Geography specification.
Eleanor is committed to using the latest research in teaching and learning to deliver outstanding Geography lessons which inspire and challenge students. She sees her role as an opportunity to inspire the next generation of geographers and creates an inclusive and safe learning environment where everyone unlocks their full potential.
Mr Stimpson has taught in Independent and International Schools in the UK, Switzerland and Portugal, leading departments in both Primary and Secondary schools holding a number of roles including Director of Sport, Head of PE, Rugby Development Officer and Performance Pathway Co-Ordinator. Mr Stimpson has been a keen sportsman from a young age, playing age grade Country Cricket in the UK and Regional Rugby in France which further developed his love for sport. He went on to play Rugby in the National Leagues in England, Switzerland and Portugal, coaching Girls Football to National success in Switzerland and has led projects for Sport Federations , helping to implement grassroots pathway systems which link school sport to national and international set ups. Mr Stimpson is looking forward to bringing his energy and passion to Arcadia, and help inspire the students to develop a lifelong love for Sport. I am sure you will be hearing his loud booming voice around the school very soon"
Originally from West Wales, Mr. Williams studied at Bath Spa University where he acquired a BA Honours degree in education with a specialism in Early Years Education. After completing his degree, Mr. Williams worked within an Early Years environment as a Teaching Assistant where he grew and developed his professionalism within this field. Soon after completing his Masters in Psychology at the University of Chester, he embarked on completing his PGCE where he qualified with QTS. Mr. Williams has always had a drive and a passion for education and believes that creating a dynamic, engaging and safe space for children to grow and develop underpins great education. Seeing the profound effect education has on children within early years, these pedagogical strategies have only strengthen through time. He believes that every child should be seen as an individual and values each student's unique strengths and fosters a supportive atmosphere where students feel safe to take risks and explore new ideas. By utilising a variety of teaching methods and resources, Mr. Williams ensures that all students can actively engage with the curriculum and reach their full potential.
Miss Stanford has recently graduated with a First Class Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Cardiff Metropolitan University as well as completing her PGCE at The University of Exeter also in Physical Education.
Miss Stanford has a passion for all things sport and Physical Education, she grew up involved in multiple sports but her sporting specialism is Netball where she has played up to National standard through the England performance pathway and is now playing in Dubai. She is also a Level 1 netball coach and ready to share her expertise with the Arcadia students.
I take a keen interest in all sports and I am a very competitive person in sport and in life, which I put down to having three brothers who are all equally as competitive as I am. I take pride in teaching as I get to develop the next generation of learners and I am given the opportunity to share my passion and knowledge with the Arcadia family on a daily basis. Physical Education is extremely important to me as I have grown up all my life being shown how important sport and exercise is for our body and mind, everyday I get to teach children something new about their potential in sport and help them discover their own skills and interests in the world of Physical Education.
Daniel's multi-sporting experience started at the renowned Millfield School where he attended from nursery through to sixth form. During his school years he played age-group county cricket, hockeyand tennis, representing Somerset. He also won the IAPS Tennis Singles and Doubles, as well as winning the Millfield Prep U13 team golf competition. For Daniel, these achievements marked the start of his exciting sporting journey.
In 2009, Daniel earned his first age-group international cap, representing Wales in hockey. He played at both U16 and U18 level before deciding that his main focus was to be cricket; his First XI cricket career saw him win the National T20 Championships in 2012 with Millfield, and he played a pivotal role in this team for the four years that he was a part of it. Daniel progressed his cricket, going on to play for Glamorgan Seconds and Wales Minor Counties. Whilst training full time with Cardiff MCCU, he made his First-Class debut against Glamorgan in 2015, alongside perusing his academics; studying a degree in Business and Events Management at Cardiff Metropolitan University, of which he obtained a First-Class Honours Degree.
Sport has aided Daniel's love of travelling, presenting itself as an enabling factor which has granted him the opportunities to visit many new places. In fact, one of his most memorable experiences occurred through being a member of the MCC when, in 2019, he was invited to tour with the team to Costa Rica and Mexico where he played in the Central American Cricket Championship.
A Gap Year in 2013 saw the beginning of Daniel's journey into education, having worked at Christ Church Grammar School in Perth, Australia in 2013 where he coached the First XI cricket team. Then,five years on, Daniel joined the successful, co-educational independent day school, The Cathedral School Llandaff. Progression within the establishment took him from PE teacher/Sports Coach to Head of Junior Boys' Sport, at the same time, completing his PGCE in Physical Education. Daniel also holds coaching qualifications in rugby and cricket and is currently undertaking his ECB Advanced Cricket Coaching Programme (Level 3).
Both coaching and teaching enable Daniel to remain engaged in sport, but the main attraction is seeing the sense of achievement on pupils' faces when they reach their personal and team goals. Having been described by many as a people's person, being involved in education is extremely fulfilling for him. Daniel is really looking forward to working alongside an experienced department and is excited by the opportunity to learn from the expertise of his colleagues.
At aged 15 Joanna Pruett represented Great Britain in her first International, a Triathlon in Romania, and from there onwards as part of the World Class Perfomance Programme she continued to travel the globe representing her country. Joanna won medals at European and World championship competitions, travelling to the Athens for the 2004 Olympic Games, after qualifying in the Modern Pentathlon by winning a World Cup Silver medal in Brazil and Team Gold at the World Championships in Moscow. Whilst training at this high level, Joanna kept up her studies completing a degree in Sporting Performance and Excellence at the University of Bath.
Coming from Manchester (England, UK), sport has always been a huge part of mine and my family’s life. I was raised playing a wide range of sports and went onto compete to a regional level across netball, gymnastics, aquathlon and cross country, however nothing ever quite compared to my ability in and love for swimming.
While studying through school and throughout my Psychology degree at Loughborough University, I trained up to 30+ hours a week and swam semi professionally, competing internationally for Great Britain and England in butterfly and freestyle events. With my main event being 200m butterfly, some of my proudest achievements have to be; consistently being ranked UK top 10 in multiple disciplines, being consecutive national champion and medalist from the age of 11, swimming in the finals at the 2012/2016 Olympic Trials (London and Rio) and 2014/2018 Commonwealth Games Trails (Glasgow and Gold Coast), and also getting a Gold Medal at World School Games in Brazil in 2014. Since leaving the sport competitively, my passion for swimming has naturally flowed into my passion for teaching and coaching over the past 6 years - now there is nothing more valuable than sharing my knowledge and experience with younger generations.
PERSONAL:
Since moving to Dubai in Aug 2020 I have loved having the opportunity to not only travel this side of the world independently, but also fully immerse myself in the wider sporting community. In my spare time I love to train and compete in CrossFit, however I also enjoy going hiking, rollerblading and also have a huge passion for baking. This year I would also like to hopefully take part in more netball, softball and tag rugby fixtures as I love new challenges and being part of a team.
BEST MOMENT IN TEACHING:
My best moments as a swimming coach always seem to be the non tangible achievements. The majority of my most rewarding moments seem to be centered around helping children of all ages either fall in love with the water, achieve things they never thought possible or overcome deep rooted fears and/or technical challenges. I also love coaching swimmers to be technically better and as a result faster; this makes attending competitions both individually and as a team super rewarding and extremely exciting! I'm excited to create more memories like this at Arcadia.
Miss Memet is really excited to be joining Arcadia school. She studied at Roehampton University gaining a BA in primary education specialising in PE. Being a primary class teacher for the past four years in both London and Dubai, Miss Memet has a wide range of experience in the British and International school system and is now thrilled to be joining the PE department.
Miss Memet has been involved with sport since her early childhood years, competing at national level as a cross-country runner, as well as being part of her dance school for over 16 years performing at London theaters.
In recent years, her passion has grown to influence younger individuals to enjoy physical education. She has a wide range of experience coaching athletics, swimming and dance for county teams. Miss Memet is excited to share her passion and experience with Arcadia.
Fiona Root is originally from North Lincolnshire, UK. She gained her BA Hons Degree in Drama and Arts Education from the University of Leeds and later went on to complete her PGCE at the same university. Fiona worked in London as a pastoral and curriculum leader before moving to Dubai in 2016.
Fiona has worked in British and IB curriculum schools as a Head of Year and subject specialist since arriving in the UAE. She is currently working towards achieving her Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling alongside her professional development in education. Fiona also participates in Latin American and Ballroom dancing training and is a passionate advocate for the creative arts in education.
"Mrs. Hanan Yousef is an experienced teacher with a Bachelor degree of civil engineering and certified from the KHDA as an Arabic B teacher. She has been working in Dubai for 5 years in British curriculum schools and for multi nationality students.
Mrs. Hanan Yousef is an enthusiastic and approachable teacher who is always sure to inspire the desire for knowledge and success in her students, providing the motivation that the students need. Mrs.Yousef provides effective teaching including an engaging classroom presence, value in real world learning, exchange of best practices and a lifelong love of learning. She is passionate about education and excited to be joining the Arcadia team."
Miss Eleanor Rose Hickey qualified as a teacher in 2014, graduating from The University of Lancaster. She has just completed her fourth year teaching at a primary school in her home town of Manchester in the north west of England and has also completed her Master's Degree in Education studies during this time.
Before gaining employment in Dubai, Miss Eleanor Rose Hickey taught across Key Stage Two and also led school-wide programmes aiming to improve reading attainment and engagement at the primary school level. She has a particular interest in reading and the teaching of this across the school.
Miss Eleanor Rose Hickey is an organised and enthusiastic teacher who believes firmly that successful teaching requires a passionate teacher and strong relationships with children in the class. She makes her lessons engaging, inspiring and purposeful for all abilities.
Away from the classroom, Miss Eleanor Rose Hickey is a keen traveller and enjoys visiting new countries and learning about other cultures. Miss Eleanor Rose Hickey enjoys continually furthering her own education and believes Arcadia's ethos of nurturing lifelong learning is key when educating young children.
Mrs Natasha Winstone is an experienced international teacher and middle leader, with a love of encouraging creativity and confidence in all students.
Her core aim as an Inclusion teacher is to be a key advocate for the inclusion of students of determination and empower every student to succeed and reach their own potential.
Natasha has worked for over twenty years in the field of Special Education in mainstream and inclusion settings, in the UK, Malaysia and Dubai.
Away from the classroom, Mrs Winstone is a keen traveler and enjoys hiking. Mrs Winstone also enjoys furthering her own education and believes lifelong learning is fundamental when educating young children.
Sandy is an experienced ELL specialist teacher who has taught English as an Additional Language (EAL) to international students for over 17 years. Sandy holds a BA (Hons) in English Language and Linguistics, the Cambridge CELTA qualification for teaching English as a foreign language, a PGCE in International Education and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Nottingham, UK.
In 2005, Sandy moved to Dubai with her husband and two children, and since then, she has been enjoying the worth of fostering the language achievement of language learners. Before joining Arcadia, Sandy worked as a Whole School EAL Coordinator at Raffles International School, where she managed the EAL Department and supported all primary and secondary EAL students' language development.
Since 2018, Sandy has been helping EAL students at Arcadia to overcome their language barrier and achieve their full potential academically and socially. She believes in meeting the needs of diverse learners and creating a positive learning atmosphere. One of her favourite quotes is, “You can't make your child speak a language. However, you can set the stage so they will want to speak it.” – an extract from The Bilingual Edge book. She incorporates technology and other motivational resources to encourage learning in the classroom and beyond.
Sandy is a happy and proud Arcadian teacher and parent!
"Mrs Sara Lowndes-Rostek is an experienced educator, having lived and worked in Dubai for the last 17 years in various educational environments and in different capacities. With an extensive teaching background, Mrs Sara Lowndes-Rostek is passionate about education. She has an ungraduated degree in Interior Architectural Design (Hons), and a postgraduate degree in education from Australia. Mrs Sara Lowndes-Rostek is a creative and orgainsed teacher who believes in forging strong relationships with students, parents and colleagues."
Mrs Whitmore completed a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology, Genetics and Psychology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. She then went on to graduate with a first class Honours Degree in Psychology, as well as a first class PGCE from Rhodes University. Following her studies, she moved to London where she spent her time teaching across a range of different year groups at both Primary and Secondary school level. Coming into the Cover Teacher role at Arcadia, Mrs Whitmore is excited to teach a variety of students across the Primary school. She believes that forming positive relationships with students is key to helping them develop academically, socially and emotionally. In her spare time, Mrs Whitmore enjoys travelling, cooking and being active.
Mrs Zakhary is an experienced educator with a profound commitment to nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning. With over 8 years of experience in teaching across both primary and secondary levels, Mrs Zakhary brings a wealth of knowledge and a dynamic approach to our school community. Her educational journey is anchored by her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Sunderland. Beyond the classroom, Mrs Zakhary is known for her collaborative spirit and her dedication to ongoing professional development. She believes in the power of continuous learning and is always eager to explore innovative strategies to enhance her teaching techniques.
"Mufida Al Digeil has been working in the field of education for 20 years. With more than 10 years of experience in educational management and leadership, she is passionate about education and considers it her mission to make a difference in people's lives through teaching and leadership.
Mufida is currently studying to recieve her Masters degree in Educational Leadership and Management. "
I graduated from Al Azhar University, renowned as the most prestigious university for Islamic education, with a BA in Islamic studies in English. I am experienced in teaching students aged 5 – 16 including the subjects of English, Arabic B and Islamic B in Egypt and the UAE.
I believe that all children are unique and have something special that they can bring to their own education. In addition, the teacher is morally obligated to enter the classroom with only the highest of expectations for each and every one of her students. In my spare time, I like to practice some sports like swimming, football and table tennis.
