Academic Leadership Team 2025 - 26
What’s new at AIS
At Amity International School Abu Dhabi, we are continuously enhancing our facilities and learning environment to ensure that students have access to world-class opportunities that support their growth in all areas of school life.
STATE-OF-THE-ART GYM
A newly built gym in collaboration with Storm and Tahadi Academy, providing a dynamic space for physical education, fitness, and wellbeing activities.
NEW FOOTBALL FIELD
Our upgraded football field provides students with a top-quality surface for training, matches, and physical development across all levels
AMITY WATER SPORTS ACADEMY
We are proud to be the only school in the UAE with an on-campus sailing centre accredited by the Royal Yachting Association, offering students the opportunity to build confidence, resilience, and leadership through watersports
NEW FLEET OF SAILING BOATS
Our on-campus Sailing Academy now features 6 newly acquired boats, each designed to support different levels of training and skill development. While at Amity International School Abu Dhabi, students complete practical sailing hours as part of their pathway to earning a recognised sailing qualification, enabling them to become certified crew members
REVITALISED SPORTS GROUNDS AND OUTDOOR FACILITIES
Upgraded football pitches, running tracks, and multi-sport courts to support our expanding athletics programme
EXPANDED AQUATICS PROGRAMME
Building on the strength of our indoor Olympic-size swimming pool, we have further enhanced our aquatics programme to offer a broader, more robust swimming and water safety curriculum.
NEW RUNNING TRACK
A newly constructed running track that supports student athletics and encourages healthy competition across all year groups.
Dedicated Leadership, Focused on Growth
BUSHRA FOROODIAN -
SARAH WADEVICE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL
Dr Sarah has been serving as Executive Principal at Amity International School Abu Dhabi for the past two years, following four successful years as Principal of Amity International School Amsterdam. Sarah holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership and a educational research doctorate from the University of Bath, UK. With over 20 years of leadership experience in British and International Baccalaureate schools across four countries, Ms. Sarah emphasizes the importance of holistic education that goes beyond exam results. She fosters opportunities for pupils and colleagues to thrive in various activities, developing values and skills thatcontributepositivelytoourglobalcommunity.
Dr Bushra has been the Vice Principal at Amity Abu Dhabi for three years and is a highly regarded education professional with over 30 years of international experience in school leadership and management. She has servedasSchoolInspectorforvariousagenciesandisalsoaNPQHassessor collaborating with Schools offering diverse curriculums. Dr. Bushra holds an NPQH,aMaster’sinEducationLeadership,aPGCEinPhysicsandSecondary Sciences, a BEng(Hons) from Kings College, London and a PhD from the University of Liverpool, specializing in supporting academic transition of pupilsfromSchooltoUniversity.
DR
OLLY LEWIS - HEAD OF SECONDARY
Mr. Lewis who joined Amity International School Abu Dhabi in 2023, brings over 19 years of experience in education, both in the UK and UAE, including six years in senior leadership As the Head of Secondary at Amity International School Abu Dhabi, he oversees curriculum development, assessment and reporting, digital strategy, and professional learning across the secondary school. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate at the University of Buckingham and holds a distinguished record in leading innovation, academic excellence, and pastoral development in highperforming schools He is a widely respected educational leader, keynote speaker, and the recipient of several prestigious awards including the GESS Inspiring Initiative Award and the ISC Research Edruptor Award.
MICHELLE NAYLER - HEAD OF UPPER PRIMARY
Ms. Michelle heads Upper Primary at Amity Abu Dhabi, where she has been a valued member of the team for 6 years. She is an experienced professional with 19 years of teaching and leadership experience in renowned schools internationally She is passionate about teaching, learning, and innovation Being a graduate in Psychology, she keenly follows child developmental research. She looks forward to achieving the highest academic standards by encouraging pupils to make connections, delve deeply into concepts, and develop agency in their learning.
JULIE ENGLES - HEAD OF EARLY YEARS & LOWER PRIMARY
Ms. Julie has been the Head of Early Years and Lower Primary at Amity Abu Dhabi since 2017 Ms Julie has a wealth of knowledge and experience in Education working in the UK and in UAE She is extremely passionate about delivering the highest standards of quality in teaching and support for Foundation Stage and Early Primary pupils. Ms. Julie and her team strongly believe in working in close partnership with parents so that young children develop the skills and characteristics they need to be successful, lifelong learners
GAMAL FAYED - HEAD OF ARABIC & MINISTRY SUBJECTS
Mr. Gamal has been with Amity Abu Dhabi for the past 3 years, serving as the Head of Arabic and Ministry Subjects for Native and Non-Native Arabic speaking pupils With extensive teaching experience and having previously been honoured at the Ten Best Arabic Teachers Awards by the UAE’s Ministry of Education, he brings exceptional leadership and teaching acumen to his role. Under his leadership, Mr. Gamal and his dedicated team achieved a noteworthy ‘good’ rating in Arabic, a significant accomplishment in the recent ADEK inspection, highlighting the substantial progress made by pupils across all year groups in their Arabic studies
ZAINAB AL BALUSHI - DEPUTY HEAD OF MOE PRIMARY
Ms Zainab Al Balushi serves as the Deputy Head of MOE Primary at Amity International School Abu Dhabi and has been an integral part of the school community since 2018. With over nine years of experience in international education across Abu Dhabi, she brings deep expertise in Arabic curriculum development and academic leadership Ms Zainab holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Abu Dhabi University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Arabic Studies from the Islamic and Arabic Studies College in Dubai. At Amity, she leads the strategic implementation of the Arabic curriculum, drives excellence in teaching and learning, and ensures the integration of UAE culture to foster a strong sense of national identity among students
MATTHEW MILLER - DIRECTOR OF CO-CURRICULAR & SPORTS
As the Director of Co-Curricular & Sports since 2021, Mr. Miller is passionate about driving participation among all pupils, offering clear pathways for all levels of participants and to help in developing a lifelong aspiration among pupils at Amity Abu Dhabi to excel in sports and extracurricular activities. He is also responsible for Elite Player Pathway, an innovative programme aimed at supporting our elite athletes. Having played semi-professional level football, sports has always been an important part of his life He started coaching when he was 16, and developed a love for teaching
SHAIHZAD KHAN - HEAD OF INCLUSION
Mr. Khan has been with Amity Abu Dhabi for the past 2 years and is the Head of Inclusion at the school He holds a PGCE and the National Award for SEN (Special Education Needs) Co-ordination qualification. He is passionate about creating an inclusive environment for pupils with additional learning needs and ensuring that learning support is both efficiently and effectively managed Furthermore, Mr Khan supports professional development for staff in pedagogical best practices, in conjunction with School academic leaders
MIKE SPEIRS - DEPUTY HEAD (UPPER PRIMARY)
Mr. Mike has been with Amity Abu Dhabi for the past 3 years and is the Deputy Head of Upper Primary with almost 20 years of experience in Education, teaching in the UK, Egypt, Malaysia, and the UAE He has held leadership roles at high-performing British International Schools and aims to ensure that pupils at Amity Abu Dhabi achieve all that they are capable of through an outstanding holistic education. He believes learning should be authentic and grounded in a culture based on core values that foster and grow essential academic, social, and emotional skills by providing a real-life purpose that is meaningful to pupils
Ms. Sarah is the Assistant Head of Lower Primary at Amity Abu Dhabi. She joined the school in 2023 and is an experienced educator with a background in both the UK and the UAE She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and a PGCE in Primary Education Ms Sarah is currently completing a NPQSL qualification. She believes in providing children with the opportunity to explore and engage through the use of continuous provision and by creating inclusive and engaging learning environments where children can learn and succeed
SARAH HALL - ASSISTANT HEAD (EARLY YEARS & LOWER PRIMARY)
CATHERINE LOGAN - ASSISTANT HEAD (SECONDARY)
Ms. Catherine is the Assistant Head of Secondary at Amity School in Abu Dhabi She has over 25 years of distinguished experience in teaching, leading, and improving schools in the UK and internationally. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of strategic leadership to Amity School. Her career highlights include spearheading curriculum reviews, enhancing student enrolment, and fostering robust community partnerships As a passionate advocate for international education, she has successfully led schools through significant transformations, emphasizing inclusivity, excellence, holistic development, and well-being. Committed to school improvement, strategic planning, curriculum innovation, and staff development, Ms Catherine is dedicated to creating positive learning environments and inspiring lifelong learning
BENJAMIN WILKINSON- (UPPER PRIMARY) ASSISTANT HEAD
Mr Ben is the Assistant Head of Upper Primary at Amity Abu Dhabi He is an experienced international educator and has worked in several schools in the UK and MENA region Mr Ben holds a BA, PGCE and MA in teaching from the University of Birmingham, UK. He is passionate about developing positive relationships within the school community to promote safe and dynamic environments where all learners belong, flourish and succeed. Mr Ben has worked in the Upper Primary School at Amity for over four years and looks forward to further fostering memorable learning experiences for all children
At Amity International School Abu Dhabi, we are deeply committed to continuous improvement across all areas of school life. Our focus is on delivering the highest standards of academic excellence, while also equipping our students with the essential life skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Guided by a dedicated leadership team, we are confident that every child will not only meet expectations but go beyond them, thriving both within the classroom and beyond.