Meet our leadership team

Craig becomes Principal of Reach British School from his previous role as a School Improvement Leader with the ISP regional team. He worked closely with the team at Reach British School team in this role. Craig brings with him over 17 years of experience in senior leadership positions across the US, USA, Middle East and Asia, including seven years of experience as a Head of School. 

Andrew's educational journey began in the coastal town of Poole, located on the south coast of the United Kingdom. At Winchester University, he immersed himself in a four-year BA Honours program in Primary Education, with a specialism in Design and Technology, laying the foundation for his passion for innovative teaching methods.

Bringing 18 years of experience in education, Andrew's career has taken him on a richly diverse path, shaping his understanding of curriculum and assessment in both the UK and UAE. Through careful adaptation of learning opportunities, he ensures each student receives tailored education that meets their unique context and needs, fostering a holistic learning experience.

Having held various leadership roles, including his most recent position as the founding Head of Primary at a new school in Abu Dhabi, Andrew is now thrilled to embark on a new chapter as the Head of Primary at Reach British School. He firmly believes in nurturing each student's individual journey, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an ever-changing world as global citisens.

Collaboration is key for Andrew, as he enjoys working alongside a team of educators to enhance learning opportunities for students, always striving to deliver high-quality education that empowers every learner to reach their full potential.

Andrew's dedication to personalised, student-centered learning and his commitment to fostering a supportive educational environment make him a valuable addition to Reach British School.

Adam was born and raised in Yorkshire in the north of England. He completed his university studies at the University of Leicester with a BA in History. During this course, one year was spent at Humboldt Universitat zu Berlin and it was during this time that he was able to truly experience and understand the benefits an international education can bring. As part of his professional development, Adam has also obtained a Masters in Education from the University of Nottingham as well as the National Professional Qualification in Headship (NPQH) through the Institute of Education, UCL. 

In 2010, Adam made the decision to move to Abu Dhabi and take up the opportunity to work at a leading international school in the emirate. That has proved to be a career-defining move which has led to leadership roles in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai prior to joining Reach British School. In that time, a common trend Adam has always strived for with students and teachers he works with has been through creating opportunities via the curriculum, subject offerings and the skills required to be successful global learners to create pathways, whether academic, vocational or blended, to meet the needs of all within the community. 

Nadia brings with her more than 20 years of leadership experience in British education, including her most recent role as a Principal and Trust EdTech Lead in the UK.

A passionate and transformational leader, Ms Nadia is renowned for her success in driving academic excellence, pioneering curriculum innovation, and leading digital transformation across schools. Her dedication to inclusive education and community-building has earned her national accolades and invitations to Buckingham Palace in recognition of her impact.

In her new role, Ms Nadia will focus on leading our Primary School in a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring every child thrives in a positive and inclusive environment. She will also spearhead key initiatives in educational technology, including the integration of Google for Education and Century AI, to enrich learning outcomes for all students.

Manal's journey in education began in her beloved UAE, specifically in Abu Dhabi, where she was born and raised. This connection to her homeland fills her with deep love and loyalty, shaping her approach to teaching and learning.

Embarking on her teaching career at the age of 18, Manal gained invaluable insights that have guided her path ever since. Through her early experiences, she learned the importance of patience, adaptability, and the individualised nature of learning. Recognising that students learn at their own pace and in diverse ways, she honed her skills in classroom management, creating a positive and engaging learning environment. Constant self-improvement became a cornerstone of her philosophy, driving her to reflect on her teaching methods and stay abreast of innovative educational techniques and technologies.

Manal has considerable proven whole MoE team leadership experience and knows the MoE curriculum and assessment procedures. She has built a positive work environment and developed and adapted the assessments, practices and processes to monitor student attainment and progress in the Arabic subjects. She has enjoyed leading MoE teams and empowering them to move forward.

Manal's dedication to education and her commitment to nurturing both students and educators reflect the ethos of inclusivity, professionalism, and global awareness that we embrace at Reach. Her story is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of continuous learning and leadership in shaping the educational landscape.

Hala is an exceptional professional with more than 15 years of valuable experience. We welcomed her to our team in 2014 as Head of Registration and ADEK Liaison Manager, and she has certainly made her mark since then. Hala's dedication and abilities have been highly recognised by the ADEK team, who greatly appreciated her outstanding work and the high-quality data she provided while working closely with them on the new student system data, ESIS Beta. Her valuable suggestions and feedback have played an instrumental role in enhancing the system.

Hala is known for her exceptional communication skills, as well as her proficiency in time management and problem-solving. With precision and discretion, she adeptly manages a variety of tasks. Whether she is liaising with applicants, their nominated advisers, or family members, Hala ensures that they are guided through the application process with all the necessary information at hand. Additionally, she takes charge of student data management, ensuring strict compliance with the Data Protection Act. Hala's expertise shines through as she organises the entire admissions process, from the initial contact to enrollment, working collaboratively with other admissions team members and academic colleagues. Her well-developed influencing skills play a key role in fostering this collaborative effort.

Over the past 14 years, Hala has cultivated a wealth of expertise in managing admissions teams, implementing effective recruitment strategies, and building strong relationships with prospective and current students, as well as their families. As our Admissions Manager, she has been pivotal in driving continued success and growth. Her contributions have resulted in increased enrollment numbers, improved application processing times, and enhanced outreach programs. Hala's dedication to excellence truly exemplifies the values we hold dear at Reach.

We are delighted to have Hala as a valuable member of our team, and we look forward to her ongoing contributions to our mission of providing a high-quality, globally inclusive education.

Originally from Liverpool in the UK, Julie Ann brings more than 20 years of experience in Early Years and Primary education, including over 12 years in school leadership. Before joining Reach British School in Abu Dhabi, she spent seven years teaching in Muscat, Oman. She also has more than 10 years of experience lecturing at Liverpool John Moores University, where she supported and developed the next generation of teachers.

Julie Ann is passionate about ensuring every child feels happy, valued and successful at school. With a particular interest in reading and phonics, she believes that with the right support, encouragement and opportunities, every child can build confidence, develop a love of learning and achieve their full potential.

Building positive relationships with children and families is central to her approach. She is committed to creating an environment where children feel safe and supported, know that their voices matter and understand that making mistakes is an important part of learning and growth. She believes that when children feel secure and valued, they have the confidence to embrace challenges and flourish.

One of the most rewarding parts of her role is seeing the moment a child realises they can do something new or overcome something they once found challenging. Being part of those moments and celebrating children’s progress, growth and achievements continues to inspire her every day.

Outside of education, she enjoys travelling and exploring new places. Living and teaching overseas has allowed her to experience different cultures, which she considers one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.

George has had the joy of working in schools for 15 years, seven of which have been as a school leader. In this time, he's led a number of subjects, including Maths, Reading and History as well as gaining extensive experience in Assistant and Deputy Headteacher roles. He has worked in a range of schools: leading one school on a significant improvement journey and helping attain nationally-leading results in another. 

George oversees our teacher training for Early Career Teachers, Professional Development for staff in Primary and leads Subject Leaders in Primary too. He enjoys spending as much time as possible in the classrooms and corridors to drive high standards with purposeful, positive energy. He has a National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership (NPQSL) and has worked closely with colleagues in Higher Education and Initial Teacher Training, including contributing to the University of York's STEM department's teacher training.

Meeting people, learning from them and finding the most from every opportunity is a big part of what motivates George…and sharing a smile or laugh as often as possible. George knows that forming relationships is the key to creating a safe, respectful environment where students can flourish academically and socially, while building their character. He loves to see children experiencing their passion or interest, usually through enrichment opportunities such as educational visits, sports teams or the performing arts. He believes learning should be exciting, enriching and engaging.

Laurie is an experienced leader and teacher and has a strong track record of improving academic outcomes for pupils, and staff development. She specialises in Learning and Development, with a particular passion on staff coaching/mentoring and whole-school CPD. She spent her early career in industry before training as a teacher, a route that shapes how she approaches development in a school setting, with an eye for data and what actually moves the needle for staff. Alongside her work with staff, Laurie has held pastoral and boarding responsibilities throughout her career, giving her a good breadth of experience across school life.

Laurie is a qualified coach and is currently completing a CMI Level 7 accredited MSc in Management and Leadership at Cranfield School of Management. She holds a PGCE with QTS and a degree from the University of Birmingham.

Her approach is innovative, evidence-informed, and adaptive to the needs of those she works with.

Marilyn is a lifelong educator from the United Kingdom whose extensive experience and passion for teaching make her a valuable asset to our school community. After beginning her career as a nursery practitioner in 1993, Marilyn's zeal for teaching led her back to university, where she earned a Bachelor of Education degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) before flourishing in the primary sector.

Marilyn's leadership journey began at a one-form entry school in Hackney, where she developed and implemented an impressive array of extracurricular activities, collaborating with local schools, businesses, and Arsenal Football Club to create a total of 62 programmes. She subsequently progressed to more extensive projects, including transforming a house into a multi-purpose learning centre and introducing initiatives such as 'Every Child a Reader,' 'Every Child Counts,' Springboard, and Wave 3 interventions. Her dedication to teaching has been acknowledged through numerous accolades, including lead teacher commendations for extracurricular activities and effective marking, as well as recognition from the lead councillor of education for Hackney for achieving the best SAT scores in the Borough.

Since joining Reach British School in 2018, Marilyn's leadership has continued to develop, progressing from Assistant Headteacher to Deputy Headteacher, where she leads the curriculum and assessment.

We are thrilled to have Marilyn as an integral member of the team and we look forward to seeing the significant contributions she will continue to make to the education sector.

Meet Kerry, a dedicated educator originally from Liverpool in the north of England, with an impressive educational background. After earning her Bachelor with Honours in Design from Hope University Liverpool, Kerry completed her PGCE in Secondary Applied Art and Design at Edge Hill University Lancashire. Kerry's passion for teaching led her to collaborate with the British Arts Council and travel across Europe and America, teaching in varied countries such as Spain, Holland, Germany, and Texas, Austin throughout her 20-year teaching career.

As a lifelong learner, Kerry is committed to her professional growth and has achieved the National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership (NPQSL) and Headship (NPQH) through the Best Practice Network.

In 2022, Kerry chose to move to Dubai to embrace the new opportunity available in an iSP school. This experience has significantly broadened her cultural awareness and understanding of working in the UAE. As a senior leader, Kerry puts a strong focus on pastoral care and is dedicated to creating a safe, respectful, and ambitious learning environment for all students under her guidance at Reach.

Kerry's rich experiences as a global educator and her commitment to academic excellence make her a valuable addition to our school community. We are excited to have Kerry as a part of the Reach family and look forward to her continued contributions to the education sector.

We are delighted to introduce our Deputy Head of Primary, Sophia Hussain. With over ten years of experience in education across KS1 and KS2, Sophia is passionate about making school a place where every child feels happy, valued, and inspired to achieve their best.

After completing her degree in Child and Youth Studies at Derby University, followed by her PGCE, Sophia began her teaching career in the UK. She has taught across both key stages and moved into leadership in 2022, where she focused on creating a positive, collaborative school community built on wellbeing and high expectations for all learners.

Sophia joined Reach in 2024 as a Year 6 Leader and teacher, and we are thrilled that she has since stepped into the role of Deputy Head of Primary. Alongside her strong focus on pastoral care, Sophia also leads and guides our middle leadership team. This means she works closely with phase leaders to support teaching and learning, develop the curriculum, and make sure there is consistency and high standards across the school.

Sophia takes pride in building strong, positive relationships with staff, parents, and pupils, believing these partnerships are key to maximising outcomes for all. With a clear vision for the future, she inspires others to work collaboratively towards shared goals, always leading with dedication, empathy, and teamwork.

Steve is a dedicated educator who has made an impact across three continents over the past 25 years and brings a wealth of experience as a highly accomplished senior leader. His background is steeped in academic excellence, school improvement, accreditation, and outstanding pastoral care.

Before embracing senior leadership, Steve excelled as Head of Physical Education, playing an instrumental role in nurturing elite athletes, including a six-time Olympic medalist, two England Rugby captains, and several professional Rugby players.

Hailing from Chester in the North West of the UK, Steve pursued a career in teaching after graduating in Law from the University of Wales of Aberystwyth. With 16 years of teaching and leadership experience in the UK, Steve sought to further enrich his professional skills by venturing into international educational leadership.

In 2015, Steve ventured to the UAE, assuming diverse leadership roles within a large group of schools. Subsequently, he spent three successful years in Nigeria, serving as Acting Principal and Vice Principal at a thriving British Curriculum boarding school.

From 2022 to 2024, Steve served as the Head of Secondary at a prestigious British Curriculum Academy in Doha, and he now brings his boundless enthusiasm and extensive experience to Reach British School as the Deputy Head Academic for the secondary school.

Steve's global journey and unwavering commitment to educational excellence make him an invaluable addition to our school community.

Anna Cavanagh is an experienced Senior Leader with a specialism in Teaching & Learning as well as CPD. Having worked in London and Qatar at OFSTED and BSO 'Outstanding' rated schools, she brings a wealth of knowledge with her to Reach British School in school improvement. Anna completed her NPQSL in 2022, she is an accredited professional coach and facilitator, along with being BSO Level 1 Inspector trained. She has presented at numerous conferences and webinar panels on the subject of CPD and coaching, sharing her knowledge with educators from across the world. Anna is also a passionate teacher of English and takes great pride in the notable achievements of her students over the years. These include; one student who achieved the best mark in the world for A-Level English language, one student who achieved the highest mark in the Middle East and 3 students receiving the highest mark in the country.

Andrew's educational journey began in the coastal town of Poole, located on the south coast of the United Kingdom. At Winchester University, he immersed himself in a four-year BA Honours program in Primary Education, with a specialism in Design and Technology, laying the foundation for his passion for innovative teaching methods.

Bringing 18 years of experience in education, Andrew's career has taken him on a richly diverse path, shaping his understanding of curriculum and assessment in both the UK and UAE. Through careful adaptation of learning opportunities, he ensures each student receives tailored education that meets their unique context and needs, fostering a holistic learning experience.

Having held various leadership roles, including his most recent position as the founding Head of Primary at a new school in Abu Dhabi, Andrew is now thrilled to embark on a new chapter as the Head of Primary at Reach British School. He firmly believes in nurturing each student's individual journey, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an ever-changing world as global citisens.

Collaboration is key for Andrew, as he enjoys working alongside a team of educators to enhance learning opportunities for students, always striving to deliver high-quality education that empowers every learner to reach their full potential.

Andrew's dedication to personalised, student-centered learning and his commitment to fostering a supportive educational environment make him a valuable addition to Reach British School.

Craig becomes Principal of Reach British School from his previous role as a School Improvement Leader with the ISP regional team. He worked closely with the team at Reach British School team in this role. Craig brings with him over 17 years of experience in senior leadership positions across the US, USA, Middle East and Asia, including seven years of experience as a Head of School.