KINGS’ SCHOOL AL BARSHA
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Team

The team at Kings’ School Dubai includes the Leadership Team, Primary and Specialist Teachers, Learning Assistants and Support Staff. It is a dynamic, forward thinking, highly skilled and happy group of people, all striving to do ‘The Best By Every Child’.

The Leadership Team
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    Bede Higgins Principal & Director of Education

    Bede obtained a degree in Mathematics and Psychology from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, followed by a Diploma of Teaching in Mathematics, Physical Education and Outdoor Education from Christchurch College of Education. He began his teaching career as a secondary Mathematics and Physical Education teacher in New Zealand before moving to the UK where he taught specialist Physical Education at a London preparatory school.

    Relocating to Dubai in 2002, Bede worked in two well respected British curriculum primary schools, firstly as Head of Physical Education and later as Assistant Headteacher. During this time, Bede completed his NPQH and a Master's degree in Leadership and Management.

    Bede joined Kings’ School Dubai as Deputy Headteacher in 2014, and was subsequently appointed Principal in 2016, a position he still holds. In 2023, Bede was promoted to Director of Education, working closely with senior leaders across the group to ensure that Kings’ exceptional standards remain high. 

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    Louise Barber Primary Headteacher

    Louise graduated with a BA Hons in Education in 2006 and began teaching in Cheshire, England. For the first few years of her career, she taught a range of year groups and took on the role of SENCo. In September 2012, she moved to a school outside Liverpool; it was here she progressed from a class teacher and SENCo to KS1 Leader. In 2015, Louise moved to Dubai to join Kings’, where she was Year Leader for Year 1 and then Year 2 at Kings’ School Al Barsha before being appointed Assistant Headteacher for Years 1 and 2 at Kings’ School Dubai. Louise then progressed to Deputy Headteacher and, most recently, Primary Headteacher.

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    Amy McDonnell Deputy Headteacher

    Amy was born in Ireland and received her teaching qualification from St Patrick’s College in Drumcondra in 2005. Amy began her teaching career at St Patrick’s BNS in Dublin before moving to Dubai in 2008, where she took some time out of her career to have children. Amy returned to full-time teaching in 2012 and has been a part of the Kings’ family since. During this time, Amy has worked in Foundation Stage, Learning Support, as Year 1 Leader, and Phonics Leader before progressing to Assistant Headteacher and, more recently, Deputy Headteacher.

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    Rachel Bendle Assistant Headteacher FS

    Rachel graduated from Northumbria University with a BA (Hons) in Early Primary Education, where her passion for teaching in Early Years began. She started her teaching career in County Durham, before moving to Dubai in 2016. Rachel has been an integral part of Kings’ School Duabi’s outstanding Foundation Stage team for the past 5 years, teaching in both Foundation Stage One and Foundation Stage Two, and then successfully fulfilling the role of Foundation Stage One Year Leader. Rachel is extremely proud to be a part of the outstanding Kings’ group and to be leading a phase of highly skilled and motivated practitioners.

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    Katie Crews Assistant Headteacher YR1&2

    Katie is a dedicated and enthusiastic practitioner with 18 years of experience in schools across the UK and internationally. She has been part of the Kings’ Dubai team for 8 years and has worked in both KS1 and KS2 as a Year Leader. Katie has a passion for empowering students and fostering positive learning environments where pupils can reach their full potential. She holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education and this educational foundation has provided Katie with a deep understanding of teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and student assessment. Katie prides herself on her ability to generate relationships with students, parents, and colleagues. This has allowed her to foster an inclusive and supportive environment, encouraging collaboration and teamwork among staff members. Their ability to build positive relationships has contributed to a harmonious team culture and improved student achievement. As she embarks on her new role as Assistant Headteacher for KS1, she is excited to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with the wider Kings’ School Dubai community.

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    Kate Waters Assistant Headteacher YR3&4

    Kate has a Bachelor of Education Degree from Liverpool University and started her teaching career in the UK before relocating to China and subsequently the Philippines. During her career, Kate has taught in British, US and IB curriculum schools, allowing her to draw on a variety of styles and philosophies in the classroom. Dubai has been home for Kate since 2010 and, during that time, she has taught Years 3 to 6 both as teacher and Year Leader. Kate feels passionately about creating a safe and nurturing environment that allows children.

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    Louise McNamara Assistant Headteacher, YR5&6

    Louise gained a degree in English and Media from De Montfort University in the UK in 2005. From there, Louise pursued a career in accountancy before her passion for teaching and education lead her to Warwick University in 2013, where she graduated with a PGCE in Primary Education with an English specialism. Having taught for three years in a UK school, Louise moved to Dubai and joined the Kings’ family. During her time here, Louise has worked within Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 both as a class teacher and a year leader. Louise is responsible for ensuring that the student voice is represented across the curriculum as well as wider school initiatives, such as charity events. Louise is Assistant Headteacher for Phase 4, working alongside the outstanding Kings’ School Dubai leadership team.

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    Becky Hayward Head of Inclusion & SENCO

    Becky graduated with a BA/ Bsc (Hons) in Education and Geography in 2006 and began teaching in Bristol. Throughout her career, she has taught from Year 1 through to Year 6 and has led in many key curriculum areas. In 2016, Becky became SENCO and Assistant Head of a primary school in Bristol and began her role as an Attachment Theory and Autism specialist.

    In 2019, Becky moved to Dubai to join the Kings’ family, where she has taken on the role of Inclusion Leader and SENCO. 

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    Nisha Henry Head of Pastoral & Wellbeing

    Nisha graduated from City University, London with a BSC in Psychology before obtaining her PGCE at the University of East London. She taught for two years in Hillingdon, Middlesex and worked as an Assistant Educational Psychologist in Slough prior to completing her Masters in Educational Psychology in 2003 at Bristol University. As an Educational Psychologist, Nisha was based in Hillingdon and specialised in Mental Health and Well-Being. She moved to Dubai in 2006 and taught at Jumeirah Primary School for one year before setting up the Well-Being Department in 2007. Nisha joined Kings’ School Dubai in 2014 and created the Kings’ School Dubai Well-Being Department in 2016.

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    Amer Al-Jafari Group Head of Arabic

    Amer is a highly accomplished Arabic and Islamic leader with an exemplary teaching and academic record. He holds a Master's Degree in Arabic Language and Literature and gained 10 years of experience as an Arabic teacher before progressing to the leadership role of Head of Arabic and Islamic. Amer has extensive experience in curriculum development and in training teachers, successfully inspiring his colleagues to take great pride in their Arabic language and Islamic values.