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.

I feel both privileged and honored to be given the opportunity of leading Al Yasmina Academy into the next exciting stage of its development.

I have worked in education for the past 36 years, working for the last 11 years within the GCC. I have had the pleasure of leading some of the most successful schools within the region.

I initially trained at King Alfred’s College, Winchester, where I obtained my first degree. A firm believer in lifelong learning, my post graduate studies include an MA in Educational Management, NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) and I am a trained performance and leadership coach with The Work Foundation. I am a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). I read and research extensively, enabling me to keep up to date with current educational philosophy.

I am visionary, inclusive leader who has significantly transformed the quality of education and the experiences of the students in my care. My vision is a simple one; to ensure that every child in our Academy is happy, highly motivated, and fully supported to maximize their potential, both academically and in all other areas of school life.

I look forward to working with all the Academy’s community to develop Al Yasmina into one of the leading schools internationally.

Steve is an educator with more than 30 years of experience in international schools in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, China and now the UAE. He has been a senior leader for the last 15 years and has led 5 schools. He specialises in curriculum management, academic excellence, student experience and teacher development. Steve believes in being ambitious for all students and staff and works to ensure the best possible outcomes and the widest range of opportunities for all members of the West Yas community. He enjoys collaborating with parents and drawing on their skills, interests and connections to enrich the school experience for all stakeholders, including parents themselves.

Married for 15 years with 2 children in secondary school, Steve has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Leicester (UK) followed by a PGCE in Chemistry and then a Post Graduate Diploma in Education Management. Most recently he completed a master’s degree from the University of Bath (UK). He is an accreditation visitor for the Council of International Schools, NEASC and MSA and uses this experience to maintain the very highest standards at West Yas Academy. With a sciences background, Steve is driving the curriculum to be more focused on emerging technologies and entrepreneurialism. West Yas Academy has superb facilities to facilitate this and outstanding staff to prepare our children for their bright futures.