meet the team

It is a truly great honour to lead at GEMS Wellington Silicon Oasis in my role as Primary Principal. I have been working in education since 2000 and have been lucky enough to teach and lead in some incredible schools both in the UK and in the UAE. My leadership to date has highlighted the value of leading with integrity and approachability, ensuring everyone is a valued member of a unified community.

I remain personally committed to providing our students with value-led experiences that inspire them; ensure their success and ultimately establish a love for learning.

WSO draws amazing students from across the globe, and it is a privilege to work alongside exceptional and talented colleagues who provide aspirational and world-ready educational experiences for every student, every day. Each child will craft their own unique story here at WSO and will have access to world-class education, care and support. 

With over 25 years of experience in educational leadership across New Zealand, Hong Kong, and the UAE, it is my absolute privilege to lead the Secondary School at GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis (WSO). Our Secondary and Primary Leadership Teams work closely together to ensure a unified and seamless educational experience for every student, from Foundation Stage through to Year 13.

Our long-held Vision and Mission – “World Class, World Ready. A story for every child” – sit at the heart of everything we do. This commitment is deepened by our core values of Unity, Integrity, and Aspiration: acting as one, upholding the highest standards and principles, and striving for the best outcomes for every student and their family. It’s a simple yet powerful recipe that guides us every day.

We look forward to co-authoring this story with you and your children.

I’m joined at WSO by my wife, Jane, and we have three daughters who have completed their schooling. One of them now works in WSO Primary, while the other two live and work in New Zealand.

After graduating from York University with a BSc in Economics, I spent 16 years in various Customer Service, Sales and Operations Management roles in the UK. My husband, son and I were thrilled when the opportunity arose in 2011 to move to Dubai; we were only going to try this for a couple of years, but we are still here now! My son started in Year 1 at WSO the day the Academy opened in 2011 and now he is in Year 13! I joined the WSO team as the Parent Relations Executive when the school opened and moved into my current role of Manager of School Operations (MSO) in 2015.

As the Academy MSO, I am responsible for everything non-teaching; site health & safety compliance, overseeing the provision of all our support services, including security, catering, cleaning, bus transport, school uniforms, as well as staff accommodation and maintaining the site and facilities. I love my job, every day brings interesting challenges and life at WSO never ceases to amaze me; whether we are building new facilities or simply planning how a Falcon can safely visit site, there is never a dull day!

I am so proud to be part of the WSO family; to see the amazing things that happen on a daily basis and how hard the staff work to ensure the experience for the students is as rewarding as possible. As a non-educationalist, I am constantly in awe of what the teaching teams deliver; their creativity, energy and commitment never falters, and personally for my son I could not have asked for a better experience for his education so far.

It is a privilege to be an Academy Vice Principal at GEMS Wellington Academy leading Early Years and Primary, including our exceptional Nursery, and overseeing our inclusion provision and Arabic department.

From the moment our youngest students join WSO, our teachers create a caring, home-from-home environment and ignite a lifelong love of learning as they begin their journey to become world class and world ready.

I am dedicated to ensuring that every child, embracing each one’s unique story and strengths, thrives both academically and socially. We achieve this through our united approach, working together in a shared commitment to support, respect and uplift our students, as well as one another.

I arrived to the Academy in 2015 and have loved seeing the Academy evolve over my time here. Being a Vice Principal at the Academy means I am lucky enough to interact with so many of our amazing students, as they write their own story at WSO.

My passion lies in fostering vibrant and dynamic learning environments, where every lesson ignites curiosity and sparks the imagination. Walking through the corridors of our school, I am continually inspired by the dedication of our teachers and the enthusiasm of our students. Together, we create unforgettable memories, cultivate a love for learning, and achieve exceptional progress.

I am immensely proud of what we represent as an Academy -a community where students are empowered to explore, innovate and succeed. It is a privilege to be part of this journey, nurturing the next generation of leaders and lifelong learners.

WSO is a truly special place which I am very proud to be a part of. It is a privilege to serve as a member of the leadership team to drive our magnificent school forward, creating a story for every child to ensure WSO students are world class and world ready. I am dedicated to lead through unity, integrity and aspiration, to continue to unlock the full potential in each one of our children.

Since joining the Academy in 2013, I have been KS3 Curriculum Coordinator, Director of Performing Arts, Assistant Principal and Deputy Principal. As Vice Principal, my responsibilities are Pastoral and Wellbeing, Safeguarding, Post 16 and Academy Subjects from FS to Post 16 for Performing Arts, Physical Education, Modern Foreign Languages, Outdoor Learning and Islamic. I am passionate about the Wellbeing of our students, staff and parents and strive to ensure that WSO is a community where all can unite and thrive.

Since joining WSO in 2018, I have been privileged to serve in a school that truly lives its values and maintains a deep connection with its community. My passion lies in creating innovative, world-class opportunities that not only elevate our students’ learning but also strengthen the wider community we serve.

I began my teaching career in 2013 in Leeds, UK, driven by a commitment to creating engaging, supportive, and challenging learning environments. I believe in building strong relationships, inspiring curiosity, and equipping students with the skills and confidence to thrive in and beyond the classroom, a commitment that still drives me today.

As Vice Principal, I am proud to lead a talented and dedicated team of educators. Together, we foster a culture of integrity and aspiration, ensuring every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential as responsible global citizens.

I have worked at WSO since 2016 and have loved my time here. A teacher since 2008, I believe that education is deeply personal and I strive to help students and their families in my role as Vice Principal. I am proud to lead and work with a wonderful team of people who all share the same drive.

During my time in education, I have held several middle and senior leadership roles and have always believed that school decisions must be made with the student at the forefront. I am delighted to work in a school where every child matters and where I can truly support each individual in writing their own story. 

Working at WSO is extra special for me as my wife is Head of Art and my two children attend the school also. We fell in love with WSO immediately and I look forward to seeing my own children progress through the school as I work with the hundreds of others who call this school home. 

I joined WSO in 2013 and, alongside the Academy, have been on a journey of growth and development ever since. As Vice Principal for Assessment and Academic Systems, Safeguarding, and Community Engagement, I am committed to ensuring that every student can follow their own path in education, preparing them for a successful future.

Over my career in school leadership - both in Dubai and the UK - I have led curriculum development, assessment, safeguarding, school improvement, and data management. This has included working in ‘Outstanding’ schools and contributing to the rapid transformation of a school recognised as one of the most improved in England.

I graduated in 2007 with a Master’s degree in Physics from the University of Durham, and I remain passionate about science and technology in education. I believe that scientific literacy and the ability to meaningfully interpret the world are fundamental skills every student should take with them beyond school.

As a parent of two WSO students, I value the strong sense of family within our school community, that makes us feel truly at home. 

I am honored to lead a team of educators in WSO Nursery, which has been ranked among the best in Dubai. Our goal is to create a home-away-from-home experience, ensuring every child feels valued and unique. We are dedicated to creating a personalised learning journey for each student, preparing them to be world class and world ready. Our vision is in harmony with the academy’s focus on unity and integrity, aiming to equip even our youngest children for a global future.

With more than 14 years of experience in education across the UK and Dubai, I am passionate about creating an environment where every child can thrive, achieve their fullest potential, and enjoy the process along the way. 

As the Assistant Principal for Foundation Stage at WSO, I have the pleasure of leading an exceptional team of dedicated and compassionate teachers. Together, we provide a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment where every child is supported to thrive as an independent and confident learner.

I began my teaching career in the UK in 2014 after completing my Qualified Teacher Status in Primary Education, working in diverse school settings. Since joining WSO in June 2021, I have progressed from Head of Year to my current leadership role, continuing to grow my skills and passion for early childhood education.

I am committed to providing a broad, challenging, and personalised curriculum that recognises the importance of the early school journey. It is a joy to work in partnership with our Foundation Stage families, ensuring that every child’s first steps at WSO are happy, successful, and filled with curiosity and confidence.

I have had the privilege of working at WSO since September 2015 and I am now currently the Assistant Principal for Year 1 and 2, after leading Upper Key Stage Two for two years.

Since working in education, I have experience teaching across both KS1 and KS2, as well as also leading Maths across Primary. My priority is ensuring our Year 1 and 2 pupils are provided with a wide variety of opportunities and meaningful learning experiences, to enable them to thrive in a safe and happy environment.

We ensure that we always meet the individual needs of every child, particularly focusing on their well-being, to ensure every student is a high performer. I am passionate about empowering pupils to develop the vital skills they need to go on to become successful, life-long learners.

I am originally from Manchester, England, and before starting my teaching career, I gained my bachelor's degree at Sheffield Hallam University before then completing my Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Edge Hill University.

I first started teaching in an outstanding school in Greater Manchester where I taught in Year Five and Year Six. Since joining WSO in August 2017, I have taught in Key Stage One and Key Stage Two, as well as being the Head of Year Five and the Head of Year One.

In 2022, it was my privilege to join our outstanding Foundation Stage department as the Assistant Principal for FS1 and FS2, and now I have the pleasure of overseeing the Year 3 and Year 4 team, ensuring these older children continue their successful journey at WSO.

I have been fortunate to work at WSO since 2016 and currently serve as the Assistant Principal for Year 5 and 6.

With over sixteen years of teaching experience across all primary year groups from FS1 to Year 6, I bring a broad and well-rounded perspective to my role. I began my career in Scotland, where I taught for eight years before relocating to Dubai in 2016 with my husband and two children.

Since then, I have worked in two GEMS schools, including my current home at WSO. My journey here began teaching in Year 1, followed by a role as Assistant Head of Key Stage 1 at GEMS Metropole, before returning to WSO - a place where I feel deeply connected. That connection is both professional and personal, as my own children are proud WSO students. Being part of this community as both a parent and a leader is a source of immense pride and fulfilment.

It is an honour to be part of the dynamic, forward-thinking leadership team at GEMS Wellington Silicon Oasis.

I have dedicated my professional life to developing a deep understanding of what effective learning looks like across all phases of the academy, and I am excited to be leading on learning. I believe that we are responsible for continuously reflecting on our practice as educators to ensure that our students are exposed to learning opportunities on the cutting edge of pedagogical research.

I firmly believe that when students are encouraged to become agents of learning, high academic performance is an attainable target for everyone. To achieve this, we involve our students in school life to ensure they enjoy autonomy over their learning, work towards mastery and feel a sense of belonging.

I am delighted to be Assistant Principal at WSO. I have been teaching here since the day we opened in 2011 and seen the school grow and students succeed in so many different ways. Having come from the UK all those years ago, Dubai is now my home and the community here at the school is such a significant part of my life. As an English teacher originally, I will always promote a love of reading and relaxing with a good book is my happy place. I also value oracy skills very highly and have encouraged many students to develop confidence and collaboration skills through debating.

I graduated with a BSc Hons in Geography and undertook a PGCE before beginning my career as a Geography Teacher in the Northwest of England in 2010. In the years since, I have held a variety of Academic and Pastoral middle leadership positions in the United Kingdom and Thailand before joining WSO in 2019. I feel incredibly fortunate to be working with dedicated and talented leaders and I look forward to supporting their professional growth as part of my role.

I’m passionate about providing the very best opportunities for students to excel and creating the right environment for each individual to thrive. I believe success cannot be measured on academic achievement alone and I am focused on ensuring a quality and innovative provision for enrichment activities; facilitating unique experiences that allow students to become ‘world class, world ready’.

Originally from France, I discovered a passion for languages at a young age, which led me to the UK where I qualified as a Languages teacher in 2003 at the University of Exeter. Over the years, I have taught in a variety of schools, each experience deepening my commitment to helping students reach their full potential.

In 2018, my family and I relocated to Dubai, where I joined WSO as Head of Languages. We immediately fell in love with the school and its community. I am now Academy Assistant Principal, overseeing Academy subjects: Physical Education, Outdoor Learning, Islamic, Modern Foreign Languages, and Performing Arts. Alongside a drive for outstanding teaching and learning, my focus is on creating opportunities that help every student become world-class, world-ready. I value our school’s rich cultural diversity and spirit of tolerance, which inspire me and strengthen our united community. Guided by our mission of creating a story for every child, I ensure each learner’s journey is rich in experiences, skills, values, and aspiration for life beyond the classroom.

As the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the Academy, I am proud to support the WSO community. My commitment is to ensure that our students are happy, safe, and supported. I enjoy collaborating with staff, students, and parents, with an organic focus on integrity to help every child develop their own unique story.

With over 20 years of experience in education, I began my career as a class teacher in Scotland in 2003 and moved to Dubai in 2015. Since joining WSO, I have held various roles, including Head of Year and Head of House. It is a privilege to be part of such a dynamic school with a diverse demographic, where wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do.