TEAM

The team at Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba 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

Kerry Dalton Principal
Kerry joined Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba from Kings’ School Al Barsha where she fulfilled the role of Deputy Headteacher. Kerry has a wealth of leadership experience, including six years as Headteacher in a village primary school in rural North Yorkshire, leading her school through several highly successful inspections, and taking an executive role in the development of a 60-school-wide Teaching School Alliance, as lead on mathematics and CPD for its School Direct students across the region.

A First-Class BSc (Hons) degree in Primary Education with Mathematics, there is nothing she loves more than making connections between the classroom and the world beyond it, supporting teaching, and seeing children thrive as they learn.

Appointed Local Leader of Education in 2017, she has developed a highly successful ‘Developing Effective Support in Mathematics: TA Toolkit’ 6-month training package, working alongside Yorkshire Ridings Maths Hub and STEM; is a published author of ‘Hands-On Maths’; and has worked internationally as a mathematics consultant, working with schools across the UK, Channel Islands, and in Dubai.
Benjamin Atkins Secondary Headteacher
Benjamin is an experienced school leader with over two decades in education and a strong record of driving improvement across British international schools. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics, a master's degree in educational leadership and National Professional Qualifications for Headship (NPQH) and SEN (NASENCo). Benjamin has previous experience as a Headteacher, and British Schools Overseas inspector, bringing wide expertise in curriculum design, school evaluation, and strategic development. He is also a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and safeguarding trainer, committed to creating safe, inclusive, and ambitious learning environments. Through his leadership, Benjamin has inspired staff and students alike to achieve excellence, placing equal emphasis on academic success, well-being, and preparing young people with skills for the future.
Charlotte Rose Coade Deputy Headteacher
Charlotte joined Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba as Deputy Headteacher from Kings’ School Al Barsha, where she worked for nine years in a variety of leadership and teaching roles. Prior to moving to Dubai, she taught in a small primary school in Northampton, UK. Charlotte brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to ensuring every child thrives academically and personally.
Joanna Bacon AHT FS
Joanna Bacon joined King’s School Nad Al Sheba in 2024 as Assistant Head of Early Years. With over 22 years of experience in Early Years education and 10 years in leadership, Joanna has a proven track record of working within and leading outstanding Early Years departments under the KHDA framework. A graduate of the University of Glasgow, Joanna holds a BE.d (Hons) in Primary Education. From the very beginning of her career, she has remained deeply committed to inclusion, championing education for all children and ensuring every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to learn. She is passionate about creating nurturing environments where children develop confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Joanna is particularly enthusiastic about outdoor education and the role of music in early development, recognising both as powerful tools to enrich learning and promote wellbeing. Having lived and worked in the UAE for 22 years, Joanna is dedicated to engaging with and celebrating the local culture, both in her professional role as an educator and as a mother of children born and raised in Dubai.
Ben Reader AHT KS1
Ben joined Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba as his second post in Dubai, bringing with him a strong background in Early Years and Key Stage One – the areas of education he is most passionate about. He is delighted to be Assistant Headteacher for Key Stage One at Kings, where he works with amazing teachers, wonderful children, and fantastic families. Ben also coordinates phonics and Moral and Social Education across the primary school.

Before moving overseas, Ben worked at an outstanding Infant and Nursery School in the UK, where he helped guide the school through two highly successful inspections. He also worked as an educational consultant delivering training across England, and as a school governor supporting improvement on a whole-school level. Ben has been fortunate to learn from leading educational figures such as Rachel McFarlane, Guy Claxton, and Danyah Miller, and was honoured to contribute to the first successful Early Years Strategic School Improvement Fund bid through the Acorns Teaching Alliance. Having completed his NPQH, he chose to broaden his horizons by travelling and supporting schools internationally. Ben holds a Bachelor of Education with Honours and has always known that teaching was his true vocation.
Florence Martin AHT KS2
Mrs Martin trained in the UK at the University of Hertfordshire and began her career teaching in inner London schools, where she developed her passion for inclusive and creative teaching. With over a decade of experience in education, including the past six years in the UAE, she has undertaken a range of leadership roles that have enhanced and enriched the curriculum. She has previously led on Assessment and Curriculum, Science, and Oracy, driving high standards while embedding innovation, creativity, and a love of learning across the school. With a strong focus on adaptive teaching to meet the diverse needs of all learners, Mrs Martin is committed to fostering curiosity, confidence, and independence in every child. Her leadership is rooted in collaboration with staff, pupils, and parents, ensuring the curriculum is both rigorous and engaging while supporting the wellbeing of the whole school community.
Joanna Young AHT KS2
Joanna has worked in education for 30 years and brings with her a wealth of experience across a wide range of settings. She has taught every year group from Reception to Year 6, including 11 years in a school serving the children of the British Armed Forces and 15 years at an outstanding independent international boarding school in North Yorkshire, where she was Deputy Head of the Primary School. In 2022, Joanna joined the Kings’ family after relocating to Dubai with her own family. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree with a specialism in English and has a strong passion for fostering a love of reading and writing in her students. In her role as Assistant Head Teacher for Year 5 and 6 at Kings’ School Al Sheba, Joanna is committed to ensuring her students are fully prepared for the next stage of their educational journey. She firmly believes that every child can succeed with the right balance of support, challenge, and encouragement.
Jane Tomlins AHT Key Stage 3
As Assistant Headteacher for KS3, Jane combines compassionate pastoral care with a strong focus on academic progress. She creates a safe, inclusive environment where every student feels supported and valued. Jane works closely with pastoral teams to identify needs early and promote positive behaviour and wellbeing.

On the academic side, she leads curriculum planning and progress tracking, supporting subject leaders to implement effective interventions.

Jane also manages Year 6–7 transition, helping students settle confidently into secondary school. Her leadership is defined by care and consistency, making a real difference to students’ experience and outcomes at KS3.
Emily Jamalizadeh AHT Key Stage 4
Emily is a dedicated school leader focused on student achievement and wellbeing. As Assistant Headteacher for Key Stage 4, she oversees the academic and pastoral development of Years 10 and 11, driven by a genuine care for young people.
Jamie Kerrigan AHT Key Stage 5
As Head of Sixth Form, Jamie Kerrigan leads the post-16 provision with a strong focus on academic excellence, personal growth, and preparing students for their future pathways. He has worked to shape a Sixth Form that offers a curriculum designed to deliver high-level qualifications, giving students the flexibility to follow routes that best suit their strengths and ambitions.

Passionate about supporting every student to succeed, Jamie has built a culture of high expectations, care, and opportunity. From personalised university and careers guidance to enrichment and leadership programmes, he ensures that students are prepared not only for examinations but also for the wider challenges and opportunities of life beyond school.
Layla Albaidhani AHT Inclusion
Layla Albaidhani (Mrs Alba) is an experienced educational leader with a strong background in curriculum development, assessment, well-being and inclusion. She has led impactful initiatives in mainstream primary schools, progressing from classroom teacher to Phase Leader, Assistant Headteacher and now Head of Inclusion.

With a Master’s degree in Leadership and Management from University College London (UCL) and senior leadership qualifications, Layla brings expertise in building high-performing, multidisciplinary teams.

She is passionate about creating learning environments where diversity is celebrated, barriers to learning are removed and pupils are empowered to flourish academically, socially and emotionally.
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.
Abdul Karim Shareeqy Head of Islamic
Abdulkarim Shareeqy is the Head of Islamic Education and a highly experienced educator with over fifteen years of teaching experience, including ten years at Kings. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Education and is widely recognized for his passion for teaching and his role as an inspiring teacher and educational leader. Abdulkarim has extensive experience in curriculum development, teacher support, and leading educational teams, and is committed to fostering high-quality learning environments that promote academic excellence while embedding strong Islamic values.