At ISP, our strength lies in the passion, expertise, and dedication of the people who lead and inspire our school communities. As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, we are proud to share a series of leadership transitions that mark exciting new chapters across several ISP schools.
This update includes heartfelt farewells to valued colleagues moving on, introductions to exceptional new staff joining our schools, and congratulations to team members taking on new and exciting roles within the ISP family. Each of these individuals brings a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to creating amazing learning experiences for our students.
Join us in celebrating the continued evolution of our leadership teams as we work together to ensure all our schools remain places where students, staff, and families thrive.
Honouring Those Leaving Us
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Emma Shanahan – Founding Principal, Aspen Heights British School
After eight impactful years as the Founding Principal of Aspen Heights, Emma Shanahan will be stepping down this summer.
Under her leadership, the school has grown from a cohort of 50 students to a thriving, values-driven learning community. From achieving BSO Outstanding status to launching Aspen as an IB World School, Emma has championed excellence, inclusivity, and student progress at every turn. Her legacy of nurturing both academic and personal growth will continue to shape the school’s journey in the years ahead.
We thank Emma for her extraordinary service and leadership. |
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Allan Forbes – Head of Secondary, Star International School, Mirdif
After three enriching years at Star International School, Mirdif, Allan Forbes has announced his departure at the end of this term.
Allan’s leadership has played a vital role in elevating secondary education at the school, marked by academic rigour, joyful learning, and strong community values. His decision to return to the classroom and be closer to his family reflects the deep commitment he brings to both personal and professional life. Allan and his wife will be taking on teaching positions in Spain, where their journey in education began.
We thank him for his service and leadership. |
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Beccy Gough – Head of Secondary, The Hamilton International School
After four years of exceptional leadership, Beccy Gough will be leaving The Hamilton International School at the end of this academic year.
Her time at the school has seen the Secondary section flourish into a vibrant, student-centred environment with over 400 learners. From pastoral care to academic innovation, Beccy has helped shape the heart of Hamilton’s educational vision.
We wish her all the very best as she embarks on their next adventure beyond Qatar. |
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Dr. Kate Plumb – Founding Head of Secondary, Aspen Heights British School
After six and a half transformative years at Aspen Heights, Dr. Kate Plumb will be stepping down as Vice Principal and Founding Head of Secondary to take on a new role as School Principal within Abu Dhabi.
Since opening Aspen’s secondary phase in 2019, Kate has been instrumental in its remarkable growth—from a small cohort of 40 students to a thriving, inclusive community of over 250. Her legacy includes the successful launch of the IBDP, IB World School accreditation, and the implementation of innovative initiatives such as Century AI.
We wish her every success in her next chapter. |
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David Gill – Head of Secondary, Star International School, Al Twar
After seven years at Star International School, Al Twar — almost two of which have been in the role of Head of Secondary — David Gill will be leaving at the end of this academic year.
Throughout his time at Star, Al Twar, David has contributed to the development of the school’s secondary phase, helping to establish structures and routines, particularly through his passion for Learning and Teaching, that have supported both students and staff. His leadership over the past two years has seen the phase grow in strength and direction, laying the groundwork for future success.
We thank David for his long-standing commitment to the Star, Al Twar community and wish him every success in the next chapter of his journey in Dubai. |
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Mary Rose Connolly – Acting Head of Secondary , The Aquila School
Mary Rose Connolly joined The Aquila School in 2019- at that stage the school had just 14 pupils in secondary with just four teachers - and in the last six years she has led the growth of secondary, making sure that our pupils are academically successful and have a range of learning experiences both in and out of the classroom.
Mary Rose has also made sure that the whole school focuses - in line with the school's purpose of pupils being safe, happy and learning - on wellbeing - and has become a leading advocate for wellbeing across many schools here in Dubai.
We wish her every happiness and success - and we will still see her regularly as her pupils will carry on being part of The Aquila Family. |
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Jo Hayward - Principal, Durham School for Girls
We are excited to welcome Jo Hayward as the Principal of Durham School for Girls. Jo became Principal of Durham in August 2024, following a short period as Head of Secondary for the school.
Jo completed her university studies at Downing College, Cambridge with a MA in Geography. After two years working in industry, she obtained her PGCE from the University of Leeds. |
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Tracey Scott - Principal, Smart Vision School
We are pleased to welcome Tracey Scott to the ISP family, as the principal of Smart Vision School, Dubai. |
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Gillian Hammond – Principal, Aspen Heights British School
We are delighted to introduce Gillian Hammond as the incoming Principal of Aspen Heights British School from August 2025.
With over 25 years in education, Gillian has held senior leadership positions across the UK, Italy, and the UAE, including her most recent role as Chief Education Officer at Excella and Principal within the Repton Family of Schools. Under her leadership, both Repton Dubai and Repton Abu Dhabi earned "Outstanding" ratings.
Gillian has been recognised for her inclusive leadership, passion for safeguarding, and commitment to nurturing joyful, high-achieving learning environments.
She looks forward to building upon Aspen’s strong foundations and engaging closely with the entire school community. |
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Yasmine Dannawy – Head of Secondary, The Aquila School
We are thrilled to welcome Yasmine Dannawy as the new Head of Secondary at The Aquila School.
With over 16 years of teaching and leadership experience in Dubai and abroad, Yasmine brings a dynamic blend of British, American, and IB curriculum expertise. She has served in prominent roles at Hartland International School and Jumeirah College, and most recently led the Secondary School at St Christopher’s School in Bahrain.
Yasmine is known for her visible leadership, deep care for student wellbeing, and high academic expectations.
Fluent in Arabic and a passionate advocate for student voice and experiential learning, she is committed to nurturing future global citizens through partnership with staff and parents alike. |
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Nadia Orgill – Head of Primary, Reach British School
We are pleased to announce that Nadia Orgill will be joining Reach British School as the new Head of Primary in August 2025.
Nadia brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in British education, most recently serving as Principal and Trust EdTech Lead in the UK. Renowned for her transformational leadership and digital innovation.
Nadia has received national awards and Royal recognition for her service to education. Her dedication to inclusivity, academic excellence, and well-being will support Reach’s growth and continuous improvement. She will also lead strategic initiatives in EdTech and AI-driven learning platforms for the school. |
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Sarah Findlater – Head of Secondary, Star International School, Mirdif
We are excited to welcome Sarah Findlater as the new Head of Secondary at Star International School, Mirdif.
A respected educational leader, author, and trained inspector, Sarah brings over 20 years of experience from the UK, Malaysia, and the UAE. Her passion for student-centred learning, high-impact leadership, and strategic school development align perfectly with Star’s vision.
She is eager to build on the school’s strong foundations, fostering a culture of kindness, challenge, and innovation, supported by strong family and community engagement. Sarah and her family are also looking forward to moving back to Dubai. |
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Matt Bennett – Head of Secondary, The Hamilton International School
Joining us in September 2025, Matt Bennett brings a wealth of global educational leadership to The Hamilton International School.
With more than 20 years of international experience, including recent success at King’s College Alicante, Matt has driven excellence through innovative curriculum development, values-based leadership, and a focus on holistic outcomes. His strategic work in introducing the IB Diploma Programme and advancing student care has earned widespread praise.
Matt is enthusiastic about contributing to Hamilton’s dynamic learning culture and is eager to collaborate with students, staff, and families in his upcoming transition. |
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Andrew Durcan – Head of Secondary, Aspen Heights British School
We are excited to welcome Andrew Durcan as the incoming Head of Secondary at Aspen Heights, starting August 2025.
With over 20 years in education and a decade of senior leadership experience, Andrew joins us from Repton Dubai, where he has led whole-school strategies across multiple academic pathways. His passion for data-informed school improvement, inclusive leadership, and instructional coaching aligns seamlessly with Aspen’s values.
Andrew is committed to fostering a culture where both students and staff can thrive. He brings a collaborative spirit and a strong belief in professional growth and student wellbeing, and he looks forward to building on the strong foundations laid by his predecessor. We are thrilled to have him join our community. |
Leadership Transitions
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Andy Du Lieu – Vice Principal (Operations & Compliance), Reach British School
We are pleased to announce that Andy Du Lieu will transition to the role of Vice Principal – Operations and Compliance from August 2025.
Having served as Head of Primary for six years, Andy’s in-depth knowledge of the school community and regulatory landscape has been instrumental to Reach’s growth. In this new capacity, Andy will focus on ensuring excellence in operations and compliance, supporting the next phase of the school’s development while continuing to shape its strategic direction.
We thank Andy for his ongoing leadership and are excited to see his impact expand in this new role. |
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