Our school

Carly Cannon

My name is Carly Cannon and I am part of the Upper Key Stage 2 team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. I studied at St Mary’s University in Twickenham, London where I graduated with a BA Honours degree in Primary Education. After graduating, I began working in a primary school in central London before moving to Dubai in 2016, where I have been teaching ever since. I have been teaching now for 10 years and have had the pleasure to teach across both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, as a Class Teacher and a Year Group Leader.

Sam Townsend

My name is Sam Townsend and I am part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. During my eleven-year career as an educator, I have worked at numerous schools in England and gained a vast amount of experience during this time. Ahead of joining RGSGD my most recent post was Assistant Head Teacher at a large primary school in England, which allowed me to learn about how a school can move forward whilst still expanding.

Andi Price

My name is Andi Price and I have over 20 years of teaching experience across many roles. I have been a Headteacher both here in the UAE and in the United Kingdom, and a member of Senior Leadership Team for 13 years. In 2017 my craving for fully utilising Educational Technology to inspire and enhance learning led me back full-time into the classroom.

Robbie Parker

My name is Robbie Parker, and I am one of the Year 6 teachers at Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. Originally, I am from County Durham in the Northeast of England and moved to Dubai in 2020. After completing my undergraduate degree, I pursued my Primary PGCE at Newcastle University and began my teaching career shortly after. At a small village primary school, I gained valuable experience across the primary phase, teaching pupils from Year 1 to Year 6, before embracing a new adventure in the UAE.   During my time in the UAE, I have worked as a Year 5 teacher and served as the curriculum leader for Mathematics. I am thrilled to be returning to Year 6, which has always been one of my favourite year groups. One of my passions is promoting the importance of reading and inspiring children to explore a wide range of books. As a practitioner, I lead by example, focusing my energy where it has the most impact.

Matthew Lancaster

My name is Matthew Lancaster, and I am delighting to be joining the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai team in August as a Year 6 Teacher. I will be moving from the UK to Dubai with my wife and I am very much looking forward to being a part of the RGS community. I have extensive experience and knowledge of teaching in Year 6 and have led this year group for the past 8 years within a school in the UK.  I graduated from Liverpool Hope University in 2015 with a First-Class Primary Teaching degree, which specialised in Mathematics. I then went straight into the classroom and have been enjoying teaching within Year 6 ever since. I have led in multiple roles in addition to my classroom practises and have coordinated both Computing and Physical Education – raising standards and pupil enjoyment in both. Further to this, in my role as whole-school Assessment Coordinator, I was instrumental in the re-design, implementation and monitoring of an assessment system as well as a home-learning system during the pandemic.

Georgina Davis

My name is Georgina Davis and I am delighted to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. I graduated from York St John University in 2012 with a First-Class Honours Degree in Primary Education, where I specialised in Additional Educational Needs. Over the past 10 years, I have taught in the UK, Kuwait, Australia, and the UAE. I am currently working in Abu Dhabi as a Year 4 Teacher and have been there for a total of four years.

Rebecca Antoine

My name is Rebecca Antoine and I am part of the Upper Key Stage 2 team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. Over my 15-year teaching career, I have worked across Key Stage 2 as a teacher and Year Group Leader and have also worked for my Local Authority creating schemes of work to be used in schools.  As a teacher, my goal is to inspire every child to be the best version of themselves that they can be. To do this, I ensure that I create learning environments and learning experiences that enable pupils to become curious about the world around them and to continuously ask questions, promoting positive, happy and respectful relationships between all members of the class.

Louise Kelly

My name is Louise Kelly. I am thrilled to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as a Key Stage 2 teacher. I bring over nineteen years of secondary and primary teaching experience to the team, having been an Assistant Headteacher of two successful and dynamic comprehensive schools in England. I graduated from the University of Surrey with a First-Class Honours degree in Drama and Theatre studies in 2001, then gained my PGCE from London’s Central School of Speech and Drama. I became an Assistant Headteacher in 2010 and led my teams with a vision and passion for collaborative and inspirational Teaching and Learning.

Ana Maria Santos

My name is Ana Santos and I am part of the Key Stage 2 team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as a Year 5 teacher. I am an experienced Primary school teacher with 16 years of experience both in England and Dubai. I completed my PGCE Primary at London South Bank University and taught in London primary schools before deciding to embark on a career in teaching in Dubai. Before joining RGSGD in 2021, my most recent post was a class teacher and the mathematics lead for KS2. I have taught across KS1 and KS2 in well-established schools and private schools.

Lisa Roberts

Hello, my name is Lisa Roberts and I am really thrilled to be amongst such a great team of educators at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. I am originally from London but lived in Brighton for most of my life. I studied for my Bachelors in Primary Education (hons 1st class) at North London University and have then taught in exceptional schools across London and Brighton for over 25 years. I have worked across all key stages and have previously led year groups, key stages and curriculum teams in Art, Design Technology and Science.

Joseph Ablett

My name is Joseph Ablett, and I am delighted to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as a Key Stage 2 Class Teacher. I moved to Dubai from my home in London, England 1 year ago and I have thoroughly enjoyed becoming part of the community at the school.  Upon completion of my bachelor's degree in music, I went on to achieve my PGCE in Primary Education at the University of Leeds. I have been a teacher for over six years in which I have enjoyed working in Spain and most recently at a Primary school in North London, teaching across a range of year groups in Key Stage 2 and leading subjects including PSHE and Music. 

Andrew Grainger

My Name is Andrew Grainger, and I am delighted to be joining the team at Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as a Year 5 Teacher. Having taught for 13 years, I have experience leading as a Deputy Head within the UAE and as a member of the Senior Leadership team across several schools in the UK. My passion for technology and Science has also given me opportunities to take on leadership roles as a STEM Lead and Science Lead across multiple schools. Each of these roles has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of curriculum development and how to bring innovative new ideas into the classroom environment.

Adam Williamson

My name is Adam Williamson, and I am delighted to introduce myself as a key stage 2 teacher at Royal Grammar School Guildford School, Dubai community. Originally from the Northeast of England, I graduated with an Honors Degree in English Literature before completing my PGCE in Carlisle. In my hometown, Nantwich, I taught for nearly ten years across a range of year groups across both key stages 1 and 2. For the past two years, I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching at a British Curriculum school here in Dubai. Throughout my teaching career, building positive relationships has been at the forefront of my values. By creating a warm and welcoming classroom atmosphere, I strive to build trust and rapport with each child, ensuring they feel valued and respected.

Chrystal Philippou

My name is Chrystal Philippou, and I am beyond excited to join Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as a Year 5 Class Teacher. I was born and raised in Cardiff, Wales with a Greek Cypriot heritage. My journey in education began at Cardiff Metropolitan University, where I attained a First-Class Honors degree in Primary Education Studies. This was followed by a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, further enriching my qualifications. With four years of teaching experience, I bring to the classroom my passion for fostering creativity, curiosity, and engaged learners. What I love most about being a teacher is finding out what makes each child special and helping them uncover their unique strengths and talents. My aim is to empower students with a skill set that extends beyond the classroom, nurturing real-world resilience, independence, and confidence.

Sophie Ryan

My name is Sophie Ryan, and I am delighted to be joining the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai team as a Year 6 teacher. Originally from Buckinghamshire, after completing my teacher training in Oxfordshire, I soon moved away from the rural Home Counties to teach in the city of London. A decade ago, I began my teaching career in Upper Key Stage 2 in an Outstanding primary school in the city centre. After two years, I soon decided to spread my wings to seek new challenges and experience international teaching in the UAE. During my 8 years of teaching in the same school since arriving in Dubai, I have taken on pivotal roles as Head of Year and Head of Department, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of education.

Sameera Hussain

My name is Sameera Hussain, and I am thrilled to be joining Year 6 at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, I graduated with a Bachelor of Education Honors degree from the University of Strathclyde. Dubai is now my home, where I live with my husband and two young boys. With 12 years of teaching experience, including 9 years as a Year 6 teacher and Curriculum Leader at an outstanding Dubai school, I bring enthusiasm and dedication to my new role at RGSGD. In my classroom, I strive to create a stimulating and inclusive learning environment that empowers students to reach their full potential.

Keirina Heatley

My name is Keirina Heatley and I am honoured to be part of the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD) team as a Key Stage 2 teacher, currently in Year 4. In my career to date, I have taught at highly regarded Independent Schools in the North-West of England, UK and within well-established and high-level UK curriculum Private Schools in the UAE.

Hannah Richards

My name is Hannah Richards and I am part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as a Key Stage 2 class teacher. I graduated from the University of Chester with a degree in English Literature and then went on to study for my PGCE in Primary Education. I have been teaching for nine years and have taught across both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in the UK and here in Dubai. As well as being a Key Stage 2 year group leader and a curriculum leader for both English and Computing, I have most recently led Year 4 at an outstanding school in Dubai.

Angela Neal

My name is Angela Neal, and I am delighted to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai, as a Key Stage 2 class teacher. During my 17-year teaching career, I have held several different leadership positions, and completed my BA (ITT) Primary Education degree at St Mary’s College, University of Surrey in 2006.

Nidhika Vohra

My name is Nidhika Vohra, and I am a member of the Key Stage 2 team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as a Year 4 class teacher. Over the past nine years I have taught across all three Key Stages, as well as leading several subject areas and year groups in a range of outstanding schools in London, UK and am now excited to be teaching in Dubai. I am passionate about education because as well as being an outstanding teacher, I also strive to be an inspirational role model for the children I work and care for.

Pauline Gayle

My name is Pauline Gayle, and I am part of Key Stage 2 team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD), this year as a Year 4 teacher. Over the last 20 years I have worked in KS1 and KS2, and previous to joining RGSGD I have held positions within a Senior Leadership Team. I have led a number of subject areas, but my favourite is Global Learning, where children learn to respect and appreciate the world we live in through critical thinking, and by becoming future global citizens.

Daniel Wilson

My name is Daniel Wilson and I am incredibly happy to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. Previously, I have gained experience working with Years 1-6, both as a teaching assistant and a class teacher. After working in Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, and Bedfordshire in England, I decided to broaden my horizons and gain international experience, moving to Abu Dhabi in 2020. Since pursuing a career in teaching, I have been fortunate to be involved in an international project that allowed me to visit schools in both Finland and Denmark. This experience enabled me to observe how time, talent, and technology can be utilised within a learning environment.

James Gore

My name is James Gore and I look forward to joining the Royal Grammar School Guildford School, Dubai community. During my 20 years of teaching, I have taught and led teams across all age-groups within Pre-Prep and Prep School. During that time, I have taught as an English specialist in Prep School and a classroom teacher in Upper Key Stage Two. I have been an integral part of senior leadership teams, as Curriculum Coordinator, Assistant Head and Deputy Head Academics, in prominent Prep schools in Dubai and Kenya, in ensuring children excel towards high academic standards and are engaged in a creative curriculum that encourages thinking skills.

Rachael Brown

My name is Rachael Brown and I am thrilled to have joined the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai in January 2023 as a Key Stage 2 teacher. I began working in education after graduating from Northampton University in 2003 with a BA honours degree. For the next six years I worked across a range of primary, secondary, specialist and Pupil referral schools in the UK in Dudley, Birmingham, and London, mainly in a pastoral capacity. I then obtained my PCGE in Primary Education in 2009 and went on to teach across Key Stage one & two. Most recently, I have worked in several senior leadership roles covering both academic and pastoral responsibilities.

Catherine Moon

My name is Catherine Moon and i am part of the Key Stage 2 team at RGSGD. I was born and raised in Surrey, very close to where our sister school is located, and I look forward to joining the wonderful school community and promoting the ethos and values of RGS here in Dubai. I graduated with a BA Hons in English Language and Linguistics at The University of Kent and subsequently completed a PGCE at Kingston University where I graduated with a distinction. I taught as an FS2 teacher and a Year 1 Teacher at an outstanding infant school in outer London for three years and then progressed to become the Head of Physical Education.

Hannah Walsh

My name is Hannah Walsh and I am excited to be joining Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as a Year 3 Class Teacher. I originally come from a sunny seaside town in England and in the historic city of Canterbury where I gained both my Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Degree and my Postgraduate Certificate in Education. In August, I will be entering my fifth year of living and teaching in Dubai. My journey in education began in the UK, in the Early Years Foundation Stage and since then, I have both taught and held leadership roles across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. My experience to date includes Key Stage 1 Leader, Year Leader, Performing Arts Leader and Social Studies Leader.

Sophie Ellis

My name is Sophie Ellis, and I am really excited to bepart of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai I studied at Newcastle University where I graduated with a BA Honours degree in English Language and Literature and later completed my PGCE. After graduating, I began working in a primary school in Newcastle before moving to Dubai in 2020, where I have been teaching ever since. Ahead of joining RGSGD my most recent post was Year 6 Leader at an outstanding rated school in Dubai. In England, I taught in Upper Key Stage 2 and was responsible for leading PE across the school.  

Katie Campion

My name is Katie Campion and I am really excited to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. I studied at Leeds Trinity University, where I graduated with a BA Honours degree in Primary Education. After graduating, I began working in a primary school in Doncaster in the North of England before moving to Dubai where I have been teaching ever since. I have been teaching in Key Stage 2 for four years and have had the pleasure to teach at two outstanding schools as a class teacher and a subject leader of Science.

Hanifah Khan

My name is Hanifah Khan and I am excited to be joining the LKS2 team this year at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai, having been part of the Key Stage 1 Team at RGSGD for 3 years. After graduating from Queen’s University, Belfast with a degree in Music Performance, I decided to pursue a career in Primary Teaching and graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2010. A desire to travel led me to the UAE in 2012 where I have taken on several roles from class teacher in both KS1 and KS2 to subject specialist and STEM Coordinator, in leading British Curriculum schools.

Laura Haddow

My name is Laura Haddow and I am thrilled to be part of the Key Stage 2 team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD) having spent two years in Key Stage 1. I graduated from Roehampton University in 2009 with a BA in Primary Education with a specialism in English. Throughout my many years of teaching, I have worked at outstanding schools in both the UK and UAE, across EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. During my time in the UK, I lived in Surrey, very close to our sister school.

Rae Bryan

My name is Rae Bryan and I will be joining the Lower Key Stage 2 team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD), having previously spend two years in Key Stage 1 at RGSGD. I graduated from St Mary’s University, Twickenham, with a bachelor’s degree in Primary Education and have spent my teaching career as a KS1 and KS2 and newly appointed Art Subject Leader. I have worked in various schools over the past few years, developing my knowledge of different teaching strategies and have tutored children in primary schools across London.

Madeleine James

My name is Madeleine James, and I am thrilled to be joining the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai team as a Year 3 teacher. Originally from Greater Manchester, England, I made the leap to Dubai eight years ago, seeking new adventures and cultural experiences overseas. With six years of middle leadership experience and over 9 years teaching experience with a background in both Key Stages 1 and 2, I have honed my teaching skills in diverse classrooms, embracing innovation and fostering inclusive learning environments. My passion lies in inspiring students and driving positive change within my classroom. Establishing meaningful, lasting relationships with both my students and parents alike, is at the core of everything I do. It is a vital aspect of my teaching philosophy, and one I deeply value and take great pride in nurturing.

Lauren Pennington

Hello, everyone. My name is Lauren Pennington, and I am privileged to be part of team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD) as a Year 2 teacher. I am originally from the United Kingdom where I worked for several years before moving to the UAE. I am joining RGSGD with 12 years of Dubai based experience in an outstanding school, where I previously held leadership positions such as Assistant Head Teacher & Head of Moral, Social and Cultural Studies.   My classroom is one of inclusivity and kindness, where every child is seen and heard. I am passionate about working in a community focused setting and believe that parent/teacher partnerships are key to the success of the children in my care. I am excited to provide a holistic, fun and memorable learning experience for the pupils at RGSGD.

Susan Russell

My name is Susan Russell and I am part of the Key Stage 1 team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD), currently as a Year 2 teacher. After graduating from Brighton University, I began my teaching career in the UK. Subsequently, I moved overseas to experience new countries and cultures and enjoyed the privilege of teaching and developing my leadership skills in International British Curriculum schools in Brunei, Singapore and Thailand. Prior to joining RGSGD in 2021 I spent the previous 15 years teaching in two prestigious schools in Dubai, holding the position of classroom teacher as well as continuing my role in management and leadership.

Elaine Forsythe

My name is Elaine Forsythe and I am delighted to be part of the Key Stage 1 team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as a Year 2 teacher. After completing my teaching degree in Scotland, I began my career in Abu Dhabi and have taught at schools in London, Spain and Italy before returning to the UAE with my family where I have now taught for more than 20 years.

Lily Crane

My name is Lily Crane, and I am really excited to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as a Year 2 Class Teacher. I graduated from The University of West of England in 2015 with a degree in Primary Teaching. I taught in the UK for 5 years and have been teaching in Dubai for the past 3 years, working in both Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. I always aim to create a safe and stimulating learning environment, with a balanced and broad curriculum, so that children can achieve their potential and develop a love of learning. I am a passionate and enthusiastic teacher and I always make sure that learning is fun and rewarding. I encourage children to take ownership of their learning, allowing my classroom to be filled with independent, resilient and happy learners.

Tasmin Long

My name is Tasmin Long, and I am so excited to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai and what is, a wonderful school community. I am originally from London but have been living in Dubai for the past 5 years.  August marks the beginning of my tenth year as a teacher which started in an infant school in London, where I had the opportunity to work with pupils across the Foundation stage and Key Stage 1. Throughout my career I have taught both as a class teacher and an interventions specialist, delivering personalised lessons to support diverse learning needs.  As an educator, I firmly believe in building strong relationships and fostering a supportive learning environment where children feel safe and encouraged. I view these relationships as the foundation for pupils to take risks in their learning, challenging themselves to reach their full potential.

Katy Taylor

My name is Katy Taylor and I am part of the Key Stage 1 team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD), currently as a Year 1 teacher. I graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2011, with a bachelor’s degree in Primary Education, and have spent most of my teaching career as a Phase leader and then as a Director of Studies. I have worked in private schools around the Midlands and North West of England and have tutored children across the primary phase.

Rebekah Conway

My name is Rebekah Conway and I am honoured to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. I joined RGSGD in August 2022 and have been living and working in Dubai for the past eight years. I am very excited to meet my new pupils in August. I graduated from Edge Hill University with a bachelor’s degree in Early Years teaching and have been teaching for eight years both in the UK and UAE. I am dedicated to continuing my professional development and constantly improving my classroom practice and my philosophy for learning is that happy children make the best learners.

Jessica Brown

My name is Jessica Brown, and I am privileged to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as a Year 1 teacher. I am originally from the United Kingdom where I gained my degree in Early Childhood Studies at Swansea University, followed by a PGCE. I worked for 2 years in the UK before moving to the Middle East and this year will be my eleventh year of teaching and my ninth year working in schools within Dubai. I have a range of experience across EYFS and Key Stage 1 in outstanding departments, where I have also held a Middle Leadership Roles. I am an experienced and passionate teacher and I aim to provide exciting and engaging learning opportunities which allow our young people to learn through exploration. I think it is of high importance for children to access enquiry and play-based learning, allowing them to engage with their peers and build key relationships.

Penny Newell

It has been an honour to be part of the founding team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. I am originally from South Africa and have lived in the UAE for twenty years working in Early Years education as both a teacher and in a leadership position. I graduated from Anglia Ruskin University, UK with an Honours degree in Early Childhood Studies and received my PGCE from the University of Nottingham. I take pride in facilitating a seamless transition for all the pupils in my care from the EYFS to Key Stage 1.

Fauzia Afzal

My name is Fauzia Afzal and I am delighted to be part of the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai community, having joined in August 2022. I have lived in the UK, in leafy Surrey all of my life with my family. I have two grown up children, a son who is 23 and a daughter who is 17 years old. I am looking forward to joining RGSGD as I am well aware of the outstanding reputation held by RGS in Surrey, UK. I worked at an independent primary school where the majority of pupils chose to continue their secondary education at RGS.

Matthew Parums

My name is Matthew Parums and I am delighted to be part of the exceptional team here at RGSGD. I have been teaching for 8 years and have enjoyed 6 wonderful years here in Dubai with my wife and my 1-year old daughter. I have held leadership roles that include Assistant Headteacher, Gifted and Talented and Teaching Assistant Lead, and Arabic Teaching and Learning mentor. This year, I am excited to be joining the Year 2 team and beginning my new role here at RGSGD as our Head of English for the Prep School.

Hollie Grainger

Hello RGSGD Community! My name is Hollie Grainger and I am thrilled to be joining RGSGD as a Year 1 teacher. Originally from Cambridgeshire, I gained my English degree at Sheffield University and then went on to study my PGCE. During my 13 years of teaching, I have held leadership positions as an Assistant Head and Key Stage 1 Leader within Dubai, along with numerous Middle Leadership roles within the UK. I strive to develop a classroom environment in which children feel safe and happy, where they can develop a love of learning and a curiosity about the world around them, laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Danielle Burry

My name is Danielle Burry, and I am super excited to be joining Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as a Year 2 Class Teacher. I grew up in Dorset before studying a Sport Science degree at the University of Bath. Following this, I gained my PGCE and trained to become a KS1/2 Teacher while working at a prestigious school in Knightsbridge, London, and spent four wonderful years there. I have been teaching in Dubai for the past year and I feel fortunate to continue my international teaching journey at this special school. I am a dedicated, personable, and passionate class teacher with a drive for providing influential, holistic, and creative learning experiences that help children cultivate a lifelong love of learning.

Hayley Weir

Hello! I am Hayley Weir, originally from Cheshire, UK, and now embarking on an exciting journey as a Prep Teacher at The Royal Grammar School Guildford, Dubai. With five enriching years of teaching experience in Dubai and Thailand, I am deeply passionate about nurturing young minds in the early years and Key Stage 1. My teaching approach revolves around cultivating a genuine love for learning through hands-on, playful experiences that captivate children's curiosity and joy. At the core of my philosophy is ensuring that children are not just educated but also genuinely happy and eager to explore the wonders of education.

Samantha Brusse
Head of Nursery

It has been an honour to be part of the founding team at The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD). I am Head of FS1 and am looking forward to meeting you and your children in person as you join us in our second year. I am entirely ethically aligned with the aspect of ‘quality’ in the RGSGD vision for education. I hold honours in a Bachelor of Arts with Psychology and English as majors. Having attained qualified teacher status, I continued to achieve a master’s in educational leadership from Bedfordshire University, UK. I stand before you with close to 20 years teaching experience and join you from an outstanding British curriculum school in Abu Dhabi.

Wendy Tulley

My name is Wendy Tulley and I am delighted to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as an Early Years Teacher. I am originally from Aberdeen in Scotland but lived in West Sussex for 10 years, before moving to Dubai 7 years ago. I graduated from Birmingham University with a BA Hons in Childhood Education and have taught in Early Years and across all Key Stages.

Sarah Noblett

My name is Sarah Noblett and I have been teaching for over ten years, both in the UK and here in Dubai. I feel privileged to be a part of the Early Years team at RGSGD and am proud of the environment we create to welcome the children in every day with huge smiles on their faces. I graduated from Edge Hill University with BA Honours in Early Years Education, specialising in ages three to seven years old. A few years later, I obtained a Masters in Teaching and Learning and focused my studies on the benefits of play based learning for all children throughout the primary age range.

Gemma Mathis

My name is Gemma Mathis and I have been teaching for almost 8 years now. I am part of the Early Years team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as an FS2 class teacher. Prior to my teaching career, I studied English at Bournemouth University and then went onto obtain my PGCE in Primary Teaching with Early Years specialism at Kingston University. From here, I completed 3 years of teaching in England before moving to the UAE for 2 years, to further develop my career overseas.

Miranda Callaby

My name is Miranda Callaby and I am part of the Early Years Team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. I am originally from London, UK and graduated from St. Mary’s University College London with a Bachelors in Primary Education. After graduating, I worked in an outstanding primary school in London for many years. I have had the privilege of teaching in Dubai for the past seven years, specialising in the Foundation Stage.

Keerit Akhtar

My name is Keerit Akhtar and I am honoured to have been part of the founding team at the Royal Grammar School Guilford Dubai as an FS2 Teacher. I have taught in all three key stages, including as a Head of Early Years at an independent school in the United Kingdom. Having had experience across all key stages, my passion does lie in the Early Years; encouraging children to become independent learners and helping to create that enthusiasm for learning. I am a firm believer in not only preparing our children for their next academic journey, but also readying them for the wider world.

Danielle Remrod

My name is Danielle Remrod and I am a dedicated and innovative Early Years Teacher with an 11-year wealth of experience working within 'Outstanding' schools in the UAE and UK. Originally from the UK, I have been teaching in Dubai for 8 years, having previously worked across the Foundation Stage as well as holding a range of leadership positions such as Innovation Lead and FS2 Year Leader. Always looking for the next innovation in education, with a passion for developing awe-inspiring learning environments, I am a firm believer of play-based learning filled with challenge, curiosity, and kindness as a catalyst for developing independent thinkers and calculated risk-takers.

Laura Bellars

My name is Laura Bellars, and I am delighted to be joining the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai, as a Prep Teacher. I am originally from London but have lived and taught in schools across Cumbria and the West Midlands in the United Kingdom. I graduated from Birmingham City University in 2013 with a BA (Hons) Primary Education (QTS) and have taught children in the Early Years and across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.   I am committed to inspiring and motivating all children, encouraging high expectations whilst providing a safe and enjoyable learning experience. My positive and caring nature with the children I have taught has consistently fostered good relationships, enabling them to thrive and always believe that they can become better in every way.

Bojana Velickovic

Hello, my name is Bojana Velickovic and I am part of the EYFS team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. I started my career in the field of education as an English teacher in Madrid, Spain, imparting my passion for learning, play, and exploration to young children. I hold a BA hons degree in Teaching and a Master’s Degree in International Education. In addition, I have recently completed a National Professional Qualification for Leading Teacher Development.

Kerry Fawcett

My name is Kerry Fawcett and I am delighted to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as an Early Years teacher. I am from Edinburgh, Scotland and graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2009. My teaching career began in the UK, before moving to the UAE where I have been teaching for the past 11 years across all Key Stages and in inclusion.

Rosie Douglas-Davies

My name is Rosie Douglas-Davies and I am part of the Early Years team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai, having joined in August 2022. I am from South Wales in the UK and have been teaching since 2008. I graduated with a BA Honours Degree in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status from the University of Wales Institute Cardiff and have teaching experience both in the United Kingdom and the UAE.

Olivia Adkins

My name is Olivia Adkins and I am honoured to be teaching FS1 at The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD). I am from The Wirral, North West of England and I have most recently been teaching Early Years Foundation Stage for five years at an Outstanding OFSTED graded primary school in the UK. I graduated from the University of Bangor with Qualified Teacher Status in Early Years Education. My Early Years teaching experience has taught me how to stimulate learning through exciting activities and structured play opportunities in the classroom environment.

Khadija Arif

I am delighted to introduce myself as Khadija Arif and I feel honored to be joining the Early Years team at Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. With more than 10 years of teaching experience in schools across the UK, Kuwait, and Dubai, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this role.  Originally from Leicester, I graduated from De Montfort University with a BSc in Human Psychology. Since completing my studies and obtaining my QTS qualification, I have developed a strong passion for teaching. It is truly gratifying to positively impact the young minds of my pupils, helping them grow and develop into the best that they can be.

Ashleigh Lewis

My name is Ashleigh Lewis and I will be joining the Early Years Foundation Stage team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai in August 2023. I am originally from South Wales but began my teaching journey in Italy, where I truly fell in love with the profession. Following this, I completed my PGCE in England specialising in Early Years. This will be my fifth year teaching and my first year teaching in Dubai. I feel honoured to be part of such a fantastic and dedicated team at RGSGD and look forward to the academic year ahead.

Abigail Cummings

I am thrilled to be starting my new role in the Early Years Foundation Stage at RGS Dubai. I bring over 20 years of leadership and teaching experience in independent schools in the UK, and recently three years in the UAE working at an outstanding British Curriculum school. My teaching philosophy centres on creating a nurturing and exciting environment where children feel supported and empowered to express their ideas and thoughts. I take great joy in watching my pupils learn and grow, and I strive to build excellent relationships with families to support each child's development.

Charlotte Knight
FS1 Music Teacher

My name is Charlotte Knight and I have been teaching for over 9 years. It is a privilege to be part of the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai family, having joined in the founding year as an Early Years teacher. I graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a bachelor’s degree in Early Years and Childhood Studies. Since then, I have gained teaching experience both in the UK and in Thailand. I have recently spent 4 years teaching in 2 International schools in Thailand. I am a passionate and driven teacher with a love for teaching. I create a warming and welcoming environment for the children, using their interests to support their learning through play.

Laura Evans
Head of Inclusion & Assessment Coordinator

My name is Laura Evans, and I am the Head of Inclusion and Assessment Coordinator at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. Prior to joining RGSGD as part of the founding team I was the Head of Learning Support for 12 years at the Royal Grammar School Guildford, UK where I managed a successful Learning Support Department that guided many children and their families by identifying and supporting their learning needs.

Emily Steel
PE Teacher

My name is Emily Steel, and I am part of the Physical Education team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. Having joined RGSGD in 2021, I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing my passion for sport with our pupils, and I once again look forward to helping foster an enjoyment of sport in every child, allowing them to grow and progress as an individual in all aspects of their school life next year.

Victoria Baldwin
PE Teacher

My name is Victoria Baldwin, and i am part of the founding team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD), as a PE Teacher. I have 13 years of teaching experience both in Dubai and the UK, and have held various positions including; Head of Year, Head of Girls PE and as a Senior School Transition Manager. I have a real passion for physical education and sport in school - particularly netball, athletics, swimming and football. Having spent most of my teaching career here in Dubai, I enjoy maximizing the sporting opportunities that Dubai offers for young people and helping our pupils realise their sporting potential.

Joe Cahill
PE Teacher

My name is Joe Cahill, and I am delighted to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD), as a PE Teacher. This is my second time working at RGS, having previously spent six years at the Prep School of the Royal Grammar School Guildford, UK as a Computing, Physical Education and Games Teacher.

Jonny Bowles
PE Teacher

My name is Jonny Bowles and I am part of the PE department at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai, having joined in August 2022. I have been teaching Secondary School PE for the last six years, and am very much looking forward to the exciting next chapter of my career, and continued development at RGSGD. I have enjoyed working in a highly successful school in Solihull, UK, where I have been an integral part of an outstanding department, holding positions of responsibility, particularly in a mentoring programme for trainee PE teachers and as a GCSE examiner for our Key Stage 4 pupils.

Syreeta Stanley-Vespero
PE Teacher

Hello, my name is Syreeta Stanley-Vespero and I am thrilled to be part of the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as a PE teacher. I completed my undergraduate degree and PGCE at the University of Birmingham in the UK and taught at Secondary level in London for several years before moving to Dubai in 2013. In full circle, I am currently completing my MSc in Physical Education and Wellbeing through the University of Birmingham, Dubai. My extensive experience teaching in Dubai allows me to ensure that all the pupils I work with flourish and have positive experiences of PE. They will develop a lifelong love of physical activity that lasts well beyond their school years.

Callum Stevens
PE Teacher

My name is Callum Stevens and I am a passionate PE teacher and sports person. I completed my degree from Edinburgh University in 2001 and then completed my PGCE which allowed me to move into the world of teaching. I have been fortunate to have lived and travelled abroad for large portions of my life which has helped to shape the person I am now. I moved to Dubai in 2003, and have been teaching for nearly 20 years. I am really excited to be part of the RGSGD team and wonderful community, supporting the pupils in achieving their sporting goals and In life.

Andrew Hepburn
PE Teacher

My name is Andrew Hepburn and I am delighted to be part of the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai’s PE Department. I graduated from the University of Stirling with a Sports and Exercise Science degree and have been involved with teaching and coaching swimming for 10 years in the UK, USA and UAE. I moved to Dubai in 2021, initially as a swim coach at RGSGD and have loved watching the school grow and develop since opening. I have a passion for developing pupils’ competitive spirit and instilling a lifelong love for all sport.

Georgia Wystawnoha
PE Teacher

My name is Georgia Wystawnoha and I am delighted to be joining the PE department at Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD) in August 2023. I am originally from Manchester, in the North of England and studied a BSc (Hons) Physical Education and School Sport at Sheffield Hallam University before gaining a Postgraduate Certificate of Education in PE, at Leeds Beckett University.  I have been working across two schools in Yorkshire. I have a passion for Dance and Trampolining, and I have been fortunate enough to lead and develop these activities in both of the schools I've worked at. Sport has always had a huge role in my life, allowing me to travel, meet new friends and challenge myself in many ways.

Lily Joy Jackson
Art Teacher

My name is Lily-Joy Jackson and I am honoured to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as the lead Art Teacher in Prep. I grew up in Bath, UK then moved to Surrey to complete my fine art degree at UCA Farnham. I then began my teaching practice and I started to gain experience across local schools in both the independent and state sector. I then went on to obtain my IPGCE with the University of Buckinghamshire whilst working as a Key Stage 1 class teacher and the Head of Art.

Sophie Lamb
Music/Performance Teacher

My name is Sophie Lamb and I am part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD) as lead teacher in Music and Performance. After gaining a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Music, where I specialised in Performance (piano and flute), I continued my studies and achieved a Master of Arts Degree in Music and Piano Performance. I then trained for my PGCE where I specialised in the Early Years and Primary sectors.

Laura Mullaly
Music Teacher

My name is Laura Mullaly and I am extremely excited to embark on a new adventure in Dubai, working at RGSGD. I studied Music at Durham University, specialising in performance, and later undertook a postgraduate degree in Music Education at Cambridge University. I also hold LRSM and DipABRSM qualifications in both voice and clarinet and have had the privilege of touring around the world as a Choral Scholar. For the past 7 years, I have worked as Head of Music and Performing Arts across leading Cambridge schools. My main educational philosophy is providing children with plentiful performance opportunities that they will relish for a lifetime, for we are all musicians.

Elena Alcalde Garcia
Spanish Teacher

Hola, my name is Elena Alcalde and I am delighted to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as a Spanish teacher. I have been teaching Spanish for over 8 years and have experience teaching children from a variety of different countries and with varying degrees of expertise in the Spanish language. I completed two Bachelors Degrees in Primary Education, the second with a specialisation in English, from the Complutense University and the UCJC University in Spain. In 2020 I also completed my Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language.

Sarah Farrag
French Teacher

Bonjour à tous! My name is Sarah Farrag and I am delighted to be joining the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai for the next academic year. I come from Lille, the capital of Flanders, located in the Northern part of France and I have been teaching for 12 years in rich and diverse educational settings around the world. I started as a volunteer teacher in a refugee camp in Thailand Mae Sot and I continued as a primary school teacher at the French school on Koh Samui Island. Since I moved to Dubai 10 years ago, I have worked as a KG2 French teacher in a French-English bilingual school and also joined the MFL team of a British school where I taught French to pupils in FS1 up to Year 7.

Nikki Grant
Inclusion Co-ordinator
FS1-Year 1

My name is Nikki Grant and I am delighted to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as an Inclusion Teacher. I am originally from Aberdeen, Scotland and moved to Dubai with my husband 8 years ago. I have been teaching for 13 years with the majority of my experience in supporting children with additional needs.

Isaac Ince
Inclusion Co-ordinator
Years 2-5

My name is Isaac Ince, originally from Manchester in England, and it is my pleasure to be an Inclusion Coordinator here at the RGS Guildford Dubai. I believe that the best educators are the best learners, and since graduating with a first-class degree in Primary Education (QTS), I have completed a Master’s degree in Education (MA Ed), the National Professional Qualification for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC) and the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCO).

Andrea Kasam
Inclusion Co-ordinator
Years 6-9

My name is Andrea Kasem and I am excited to be part of the Inclusion team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as an Inclusion teacher. I obtained my Master's degree in Special and Additional Learning Needs from the University of East London and then I completed my PGCE from the University of Bath. I have been teaching in Dubai since 2016 as an Inclusion teacher and for the past two years, I have served as the Head of Inclusion. I started my teaching career in the Early Years Foundation Stage and gradually gained further experience over the years in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Although my primary focus has always been on providing support for pupils with various learning barriers, in the last two years, I have had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge in assisting gifted and talented pupils. I am very passionate about nurturing, empowering, and encouraging all children to achieve their goals and become independent learners.

Phil Bevan
Learning Support Teacher

My name is Phil Bevan and I am extremely excited to be joining the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as an Inclusion Teacher. I am originally from South Wales and I gained my BA (Hons) in Primary Education from the University of Wales Institute Cardiff. I will be moving to RGSGD from another school in Dubai where I have been teaching a class for children with additional needs. I now have over 20 years of teaching experience, ranging from Year 2 to Year 11. I started teaching a Key Stage 2 class in South Wales before spending two years teaching in schools in Guildford, Surrey near to our home school. At this point in my career, I decided to focus on teaching and supporting children with additional needs. I have enjoyed spending the past 13 years working within different Inclusion departments as a Class Teacher, Deputy Head of a Centre for children with social, emotional and behavioural needs, and with an advisory role.

Nellie Hamza

My name is Nellie Hamza. Born in Copenhagen, I have spent significant portions of my life in Denmark, Egypt, and the UK. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the American University in Cairo and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Cumbria. I moved to Dubai with my family and have been part of the team at Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD) since it opened its doors in 2021.

Lana Turner
EAL Teacher

Hello, my name is Lana Turner and I am part of the inclusion team at RGSGD as an English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher. I am originally from London and received my undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Surrey. My teaching career began 16 years ago after completing my PGCE in Primary Education. I taught in London for six years before deciding to move to the UAE in 2013. Since completing my master's in Applied Linguistics, I have been supporting EAL pupils in both primary and secondary settings.

Jennifer Upsall
EAL Teacher

My name is Jennifer Upsall and I am delighted to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai in my role as an English as an Additional Language (EAL) Teacher. Originally from Ireland, I moved to England as a teenager and graduated from The University of Sheffield with a Bachelor of Arts and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. I have a CELTA qualification and hold Specialised Certificates in Teaching English to Young Learners and Young Adults. I began my teaching career in Sheffield and in 2007 my husband and I moved to Dubai to teach at an inclusive British international school. In my ten years at the school, I had the opportunity to teach both Primary and Secondary pupils and held a range of positions culminating in Deputy International Baccalaureate (IB) Coordinator.

Seham Albakar
Arabic Teacher

Assalamu Alaykom! My name is Seham Albakar and I am part of the Arabic & Islamic team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD), as an Arabic teacher. I am very honoured to be one of the founding teachers at RGSGD having joined in 2021. In 2003, I obtained my Bachelor of Education Degree in Jordan, I then went on to start my career in teaching and now have 18 years of teaching experience throughout different British schools within Dubai; teaching early years and primary pupils.

Shammaa Makieh
Arabic/Islamic Studies

I am honoured to be part of the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai‪’s founding team‪ and have enjoyed teaching Arabic and Islamic Studies to our pupils this past academic year. I obtained my Bachelor of Arts in Arabic language from Damascus University‪, Syria and have over 11 years of teaching experience in the UAE. I look forward to further contributing to the success of the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Tahani Abdullah
Arabic/Islamic Studies Teacher

My name is Tahani Abdullah and I am part of the Arabic & Islamic studies team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. Originally from Jordan, I have lived in Dubai since 2005 and have 19 Years of teaching experience, throughout British Curriculum and International Baccalaureate schools. I enjoy helping my pupils to grow and develop in a fun and enjoyable environment and having been part of the founding team at RGSGD, I am looking forward to helping the school continue the success of our first year.

Feda Sawalha
Arabic Teacher

My name is Feda Sawalha and I am delighted to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as an Arabic teacher for non-native speakers. I graduated from Jordan. I started my teaching Journey in 2005 in Dubai until now. I am very excited to start the new journey for the next academic year and use my long experience to help pupils learn Arabic using 21-century strategies.

Maisa Sirawan
Arabic Teacher

My name is Maisa Sirawan and I am delighted to be part of the team at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai as an Arabic teacher. After graduating from the University of Warsaw with a master's in Arabic Literature, I moved to Dubai in 2010 and since then have been working as an Arabic Teacher at several outstanding schools within Dubai. Throughout my teaching journey, I have always been proud of creating a happy and exciting environment for my students. I am very passionate about teaching Arabic and building strong relationships in the classroom.

Khadijah Waeyi
Arabic/Islamic Studies Teacher

My name is Khadijah Waeyi, and I am an Islamic Studies teacher at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. I graduated from the International Islamic University Malaysia with a master’s degree in Arabic Language and Literature and a bachelor's degree in Arabic Language and Literature. I've been teaching for twenty years, and I've taught both Key Stage 1 and 2.

Wafa Ahmed
Arabic Teacher

My name is Wafa Ahmed, I am originally from Jordan and i am part of the Arabic & Islamic team at RGSGD. I hold a Masters degree in Education from the United Arab Emirates University and I hold a bachelor’s degree in Arabic from the University of Jordan. I have been teaching Arabic for the last 15 years and am honoured that teaching gives me the platform to make a difference in the lives of our students.

Hala Bazna
Arabic Teacher

Marhaba! My name is Hala Bazna and I am part of the Arabic & Islamic team at RGSGD. With over 30 years of international experience in teaching and educational management, I am a dedicated professional educator and throughout my career, have always sought innovative teaching techniques to keep my pupils happy, engaged, and challenged. My teaching approaches range from cooperative learning, fostering collaboration among pupils, to independent learning, empowering pupils to take ownership of their education.  I am a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS) visiting team, contributing to schools’ accreditation processes. Moreover, I hold a master's degree in education, reflecting my commitment to continuous professional development

Usaima Houri
Arabic Teacher

Hello, my name is Usaima Houri, and I will be joining RGSGD as an Arabic Teacher.   Originally from Syria, I began my teaching career back in 1991 in Syrian public schools. I then moved to the UAE with my family in 1995 and started teaching in Sharjah before eventually moving to Dubai. With over three decades of teaching experience, I have extensive expertise and knowledge in teaching the Arabic language.  As an educator, I believe it is important to create a positive and inclusive learning environment where students feel valued, safe, and supported. I strive to make my lessons engaging and enjoyable, whether through storytelling, songs, games, or other interactive activities.

Stephanie Creal
Cover Teacher

My name is Stephanie Creal and I am honoured to be joining the team at RGSGD. I qualified from Brighton University with a PGCE in Primary Education and I have over 13 years of teaching experience across Early Years and Key Stage 1. I have taught in a number of outstanding state and independent schools in the UK and UAE, in a variety of classroom, management and leadership roles. I have also been a school governor for a local primary school in my hometown of Guildford, UK. I am passionate about developing a love of learning and confidence for life in the children I teach and I have a particular interest in phonics and the early stages of reading and writing. 

Dominique Radbourne
Cover Teacher

My name is Dominique Radbourne, I am originally from Dorset, a southern county in England. I feel exceptionally privileged to be taking up the post of Cover Teacher at RGSGD in August 2023. This will be my second post in Dubai and my third within an international school. Before moving to the Middle East, I worked in both rural and inner-city schools in England. I completed my BEd Honours degree at The University of St Mark and St John and qualified as a Physical Education teacher. Since graduating, my career has taken me from a PE teacher to Head of Department to Director of Sport, and for the last ten years, I have been a faculty leader for both Physical Education and Performing Arts, bringing together my two passions.