Experience

Department of Education And Knowledge - ADEK

• United Arab Emirates
• Education Administration Programs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Section Manager and Program Manager - School Improvement / Curriculum

  • Dec 2020 - Present

  School Improvement: Fostered relationships with private and charter schools to aid the completion of audits to inform improvement planning, regulatory development and to identify trends. Information gained used to support schools in responding to inspection outcomes and in meeting the rigor of international and standardized benchmark assessments. Cascaded up-to-date knowledge of curricula development (NCfE, IB, Common Core and CBSE) and provided subject matter expertise on curriculum, instruction and assessment. Key Accomplishments – School Improvement: • Supported leadership teams across private and charter schools to raise school performance and student outcomes • Oversaw implementation of standardized benchmark assessments and initial data analysis, as part of strategic raising of standards for attainment and progress • Provided training in becoming data driven decision makers through significantly improving the use of assessment and other data to inform practice • Engaged schools to review interventions available to support high and low achievers • Facilitated the development of senior leadership and pedagogy development through working alongside Tui Tuai Leadership Development University of Auckland • Created and edited policy, frameworks and compliance rubrics • Liaised with the licensing team to review performance of established schools and approve new schools Program Manager: Led on the creation and pilot of Abu Dhabi’s Graduate Competency Framework (GCF), a G1-12 program to develop career readiness skills. Key Accomplishments – GCF: • Managed the creation and quality assurance of resources • Spearheaded development of synchronous and asynchronous training materials enhanced by the use of instructional design and AI technologies • Compiled curriculum and assessment documentation to support implementation • Provided high level strategy for reporting to other government entities • Acted as GCF Ambassador to explain the program and its philosophy Show less



GEMS Education

• United Arab Emirates
• Education Management
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Adviser - School Improvement

  • Jan 2013 - Jun 2020

  Prepared detailed, impact linked development plans in response to inspection outcomes and oversaw curricula adaption/development (National Curriculum for England, International Baccalaureate, American (Common Core) and CBSE/ICSE) across all schools locally and internationally. Managed and carried out internal school reviews, for all schools aligned to their country specific inspection framework. Facilitated assessment (MAP, GL PTS, Asset, IBT, TIMSS, PIRLS and PISA), implementation and data analysis to support the raising of standards of attainment and progress. Key Accomplishments:• Equipped mid fee and low fee schools to raise standards as a key strategic part of school improvement• Designed and led professional development, coaching, monitoring and support for all schools in leadership and pedagogy • Significantly improved the use of assessment data to raise school performance and student outcomes through driving the development of data driven schools • Led sixty plus school reviews and personally provided training for over one thousand review evaluators • Provided objective appraisal to aid schools in evaluating improvement practices and systems, and to use information gained to compile action plans and targets• Drove the identification and subsequent improvement in school’s performance via pre inspection reviews and effective intervention and support • Provided Governance and line management advice and support for schools and colleagues • Highly skilled at maintaining a professional approach whilst maintaining objectivity to ensure that feedback and judgements were developmental and supportive Show less

• Principal Adviser

  • Sep 2010 - Jan 2013

  Established a companywide assessment plan and training in data analysis for all schools as part of the strategic raising of standards of attainment and progress. Supported schools in preparing comprehensive action plans in response to inspection outcomes. Managed, led and participated in internal school reviews globally. Key Accomplishments:• Raised standards of pedagogy across GEMS Indian, NCfE and American curriculum schools through providing professional development, coaching, monitoring and leadership • Implemented systems and structures around rapid response and support for change management in schools • Demonstrated detailed knowledge of regulations and laws regarding inspections in the UAE to provide effective support for schools in inspection preparation to enable good or above to be achieved • Demonstrated advanced understanding and commitment to inclusive education through developing strategies and procedures • Supported leadership teams in reviewing the use of premises and facilities to provide high quality, safe, learning environments • Evaluated practices and systems within the improvement cycle, using data and information to inform action planning and target setting• Maintained a professional approach through upholding objectivity to ensure that feedback and judgements were developmental Show less



GEMS Wellington Primary School

• Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• Principal / CEO

  • Aug 2007 - Aug 2010

  Led a team of professionals teaching over 1000 students from 56 countries around the world. The role included leading the strategic direction for the school while aligning the schools budgeting, reporting cycles, curriculum and resourcing to meet the needs of the students and community while operating the school in a competitive marketplace. Key Accomplishments: • Opened and established GEMS Wellington Primary School as a school of choice within Dubai • Developed the school, through focussed professional development, rigorous self-evaluation linked to the identification of action points, to repeatedly achieve a judgement of ‘good’ in Dubai Inspection Bureau Inspections • Led the growth of a curriculum programme based on the National Curriculum for England through professional development, planning schemes and implemntation to ensure that it reflected the needs of an international community • Developed human resources to meet the needs of a growing school through the appointment of quality teachers and support staff, establishment of an effective leadership team and creation of an successful performance management cycle • Managed premises and facilities development through focussed monitoring and review to ensure that a high standard learning environment was provided • Worked with staff and parents to develop processes and systems to provide a truly inclusive educational environment • Financially managed the school through responding to trends and identified priorities to work towards breaking even in the fourth year Show less



Orchard Junior School

• United Kingdom

• Head Teacher

  • Jan 1995 - Aug 2007

  Led a team of professionals teaching a school community with an inclusion focus. The role included driving the strategic direction for the school, in conjunction with a very active Governing Body, whilst aligning the schools budgeting, reporting cycles, curriculum and resourcing to meet the diverse needs of the students and community. Key Accomplishments: • Raised standards of attainment in Key Stage 2, through focussed professional development of staff, rigorous analysis of data and identification of next steps, to provide ‘very good education’ (as judged by Ofsted) • Provided clear curriculum leadership through increasing quality evaluation and monitoring to ensure that the syllabus demonstrated progression and continuity • Demonstrated prudent financial management through close monitoring, prioritisation and review ensuring the meeting of school’s target budget year on year whilst managing a savings programme to support an aging building • Managed human resources through the use of performance management linked with high quality professional development to provide high calibre teaching and support staff • Provided targeted professional development matched to individual and schools needs to ensure retention of quality staff • Project managed the enhancement of the learning environment through creative use of space alongside maintaining the day to day running of the site and responding to health and safety initiatives • Successfully led the adjoining Infant School during a lengthy leadership recruitment process Show less



Beavers Community Primary School

• United Kingdom

• Deputy Head Teacher

  • Aug 1990 - Jan 1995

  Managed the development of inclusion across the school whilst further enhancing the quality of early years provision. The role included developing partnerships with the community, providing extensive staff development particularly focussing on meeting, frequently, very challenging student needs, engaging in setting / monitoring the school’s budget and reporting to Governors on curriculum and resourcing. Key Accomplishments: • Raised standards in KS1 through the development of a co-ordinated teaching and learning programme linked to professional development, mentoring and monitoring • Devised systems, procedures, communications and practices to manage and develop special needs provision throughout a very large primary school including line managing the adjacent centre for children with learning difficulties • Established effective performance management and reporting lines for all support staff to raise morale and to ensure training needs were met • Formulated communication and feedback channels to maximise liaison with all external providers • Instigated the development of parental engagement through the running of both formal and informal parental groups • Raised the standards of teaching and learning to good or above through the co-ordinated professional development of staff based on need analysis linked to monitoring of effectiveness • Provided quality early years learning experiences through the development of the Foundation stage curriculum • Increased community involvement with, and respect for, the school through using the premises to support community initiatives Show less