Why Aldar Academies?

Chris Nourse has been an educator for over 25 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education, The National Professional Qualification for Headship and the National Professional Qualification for School Inspection. He is a qualified trainer for middle and senior leaders in education. He has taught in Essex, two London Bourgh’s, Southampton, Surrey and Dorset. He joined Aldar Academies in 2009 as the founding Principal of Al Muna Academy in Abu Dhabi. He has led five schools – three in the UK and two in the UAE. Chris has been Principal of Al Ain Academy since January 2014. (ADEK rated very good with outstanding features).

His vision for the education is clear. All students achieve their personal best through outstanding teaching and learning. Students grow in confidence through respectful relationships, high expectations, and a broad and balanced diet of educational experiences. Academic stretch and challenge are complemented by sporting endeavour, creativity and innovation, and charitable work. Home and school work hand in glove to ensure the very best outcomes for all our children.

Neal has more than twenty years of experience working in international schools, with sixteen years in senior leadership positions across Europe and Asia. He has extensive experience in strategic planning, curricular planning and program development, accreditation and compliance systems, budgeting and financial management, risk management planning, and crisis management.

Over the course of his career, Neal has worked to develop opportunities for students that strengthen and enrich learning. Neal has developed service-learning programs, STEAM programs, mother tongue-based language programs, learning support systems, personalized learning systems.

Neal holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University, and a School Management and Leadership Certificate from Harvard University. He is a certified International Baccalaureate administrator, and an active member of the Association of International School Heads, and the Council of International Schools where Neal serves as an inspector.

After graduating high school, I gained a degree in Early Childhood Education at Edgehill University and then went on to study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. My teaching and leadership experience now spans twenty years, in that time I have enjoyed a variety of roles including those of teacher, Early Years Coordinator, Head of Foundation Stage, and now Principal.

Since joining Aldar Academies in 2014 as Foundation Stage coordinator at Al Mushrif School, I then moved on to Al Mamoura Academy to lead the Foundation Stage and most proudly to Al Forsan Nursery as the Principal.

This breadth of experience has led me to develop a strong belief that children learn best when they are having fun and engaged in practical activities. I also believe that strong relationships with parents and the wider community are vital in ensuring that children are supported as they move through their school life. I am delighted to be working together with pupils, staff, and parents, at Al Forsan Nursery.

I look forward to seeing you in nursery and working with your children at Aldar Academies Al Forsan Nursery.

Sarah Weaver brings to Al Mamoura Academy over 17 years of leadership experience at both local and international levels; with eight of those being in the UAE. Sarah is now in her second year of leadership at Al Mamoura Academy and has already accomplished “Outstanding” judgements in the schools most recent BSO inspection and led the school to achieving the “Developed” status, the highest rating possible, for its distance learning programme.

Sarah brings experience of working in an Outstanding school and in one of the most improved schools within her educational groups network in the UAE. She was a highly successful Deputy Head Teacher in East London for over ten years, supporting her school to be the 4th most improved school in the United Kingdom.

During her career she has developed specialisms in; through school assessment, school improvement and early years education and as a result she has supported schools to achieve results of the highest calibre during their UK OFSTED inspections, External Reviews and KHDA Inspections.

Having been in education for the last 25 years I have witnessed many changes, however the one constant factor remains: An education is one of the most valuable things we can possess. It influences how we see the world and contribute to it.

I have been fortunate to be a part of Aldar Academies for the last 9 years, and fully endorse the vision that it is our purpose to empower the next generation to shape our future.

We achieve this effective by recognising the importance of a holistic approach to education, being fully inclusive and allowing children to develop their skills in which they can realise their dreams for their future.

Taking on the role as Principal of Al Muna in March 2020 has allowed me to continue my passion in developing a community approach to educating our children, where all stakeholders play a part in a child’s development.

Barbara Heaton joins the Pearl Academy with over 25 years' experience in educational leadership in the UAE, Spain and the UK.

Having completed the Accelerated Route N.P.Q.H. in 2000 as a Primary Head Teacher in the UK, Barbara moved to work in an International School in Spain where she taught in Primary and Secondary Departments broadening her experience teaching, amongst other subjects, English to GCSE. Here, she led Teaching and Learning across the whole school (Nursery to Year 13) and also held role of team inspector with NABSS (the National Association of Schools in Spain). She is now a BSO team inspector in the Middle East.

Throughout her career, Barbara has gained much experience in teaching second language learners as well as developing assessment and tracking systems to ensure students are maximising their potential and capabilities. She has developed planning and curriculum models which enable her to fulfil her passion for personalised learning and celebrating an individual's strengths, both as a person and a learner.

An experienced Principal and trusted leader who blends integrity, resilience and determination with strong strategic, operational and educational strategies. I have developed and led high performing British and international schools, inspiring parental and public confidence through academic excellence and building positive community relationships.

Holding a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and an MA in Leadership & Management (Education), I have also obtained by National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and qualified as a British School and Church School Inspector.

Since August 2019, I have been delighted to be able to use apply these skills and this experience at Al Yasmina Academy; a truly remarkable school community where students where all students ‘thrive’.

Our globally recognised and admired curriculum, dedicated and passionate practitioners and outstanding teaching and learning, sets us apart from other schools and makes Al Yasmina Academy a very special place to be.

With grades consistently above UK and global averages, many of our graduating students are offered places at world leading universities, however, attainment is only part of the story. In preparing our students with the contemporary skills, attributes and morals needed for their fast-changing, globally connected and uncertain futures, our students leave us as ethically informed global citizens, and future leaders of the world.

This reputation was confirmed in our latest ADEK Inspection, when the Al Yasmina Academy was awarded ‘Outstanding’ in all six performance standards.

Mrs Kathryn Head brings over 28 years of educational experience to West Yas Academy, including fourteen years in leadership positions. She has a Bachelor of Education qualifying her to teach from KG - Year 10, with her Post Graduate studies in Educational Leadership and Administration. Mrs Head also recently completed a MIT Course, 'Launching Innovation into Schools', completing a cycle of study and experimentation as a change leader in instructional improvement. Before moving to the UAE, Mrs Head worked in both Asia and Australia and has experience in US, UK, IB, Australian and International Curriculum.

Furthermore, Mrs Head has extensive experience in curriculum development, specialising in the Inquiry-based approach. With her extensive skill set in curriculum and leadership, she has had the privilege of training and upskilling teachers and mentoring leaders. Mrs Head promotes learning through creative thinking skills and values innovation, promoting 21st Century learning skills to enhance teaching and learning. Mrs Head is passionate, dynamic and embraces international mindedness, valuing diversity while embracing the UAE culture in which she lives.

Mr. Nelson brings more than eleven years of educational and leadership experience, with over six years within the Middle East. He maintains a Master of Arts qualification in Educational Leadership, accompanied with a plethora of pedagogical expertise, blended across pastoral and curriculum leadership positions. Furthermore, he has taught and led curriculums across the US, GCSE, BTEC, and IB frameworks throughout his career to date.

Initially trained and qualified as a teacher in the United Kingdom, Mr. Nelson taught Physical Education in various educational settings. After relocating to Dubai in 2015, he was appointed Head of Boys; Physical Education at a large multi-cultural international school. During this time, his career progressed to becoming a Head of House, leading pastoral initiatives to heighten students support and wellbeing within the school.

In 2019, Mr. Nelson joined West Yas Academy as the Dean of Students, leading change in student wellbeing and behavior for learning reforms. He is passionate about developing students holistically, equipping them with the skills required for students to flourish within an ever changing global society. As Head of Secondary, he is passionate about driving improvements at West Yas Academy, with the relentless energy to work in partnership with parents, staff, and the school community to ensure a high-quality education is made available to every child at West Yas Academy.