Gary Williams
Sharjah,UAE
Summary
To create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive and reach their full potential. By providing strong educational leadership within the school. Including setting a clear vision for academic excellence, establishing goals, and developing strategies to achieve them. To foster a positive school culture that encourages collaboration, innovation, and continuous school improvements.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Founding Principal
North Gate British School
Ajman, UAE
2024.04 - 2025.06
- Company Overview: North Gate British School – Ajman, UAE (UK Curriculum)
- Streamlined operations with innovative systems implementation.
- Developed business strategy by conducting comprehensive market research.
- Fostered an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity, boosted employee morale considerably.
- Established company brand for improved visibility and recognition.
- Key Focus – Build the schools vision and direction
- Designed and executed a comprehensive student recruitment strategy, increasing enrollment from 0 to 1,000 students across FS1 to Year 9 within 24 months.
- Developed targeted marketing campaigns (digital, print, in-person outreach), resulting in rapid community awareness and trust in a new school brand.
- Built a competitive admissions process and introduced early-bird tuition incentives, leading to sustained interest and early commitments.
- Achieved average annual revenue of AED 25 million within the first two academic years through tuition income.
- Maintained a balanced operational budget with clear oversight on expenditure, reinvestment, and cash flow projections.
- Collaborated with the finance team to establish: Break-even analysis and enrollment targets per phase.
- Tiered fee structures with optional value-added services (e.g., after-school programs, enrichment).
- Optimized staffing models and procurement strategies to support both scalability and sustainability.
- Established a full-through British curriculum framework from FS1 to Year 9 with clear progression routes and vertical curriculum alignment.
- Introduced subject specialisation from FS onwards, ensuring strong foundations in core and foundation subjects.
- Prioritised innovation and blended learning with integration of Apple Technology across all year levels.
- Recruited over 100+ qualified international staff across teaching, support, and administration.
- Developed a robust onboarding and induction program, ensuring alignment with school vision and UK curriculum standards.
- Launched a CPD program aligned to school priorities (e.g., safeguarding, formative assessment, digital learning).
- Oversaw the planning, design, and fit-out of key specialist rooms within budget and timeline.
- Co-developed the school's vision, mission, and values with stakeholders, ensuring local and international relevance.
- Established parent partnership groups and hosted over 25 community engagement events in Year 1.
- Successfully navigated MOE licensing-aligned inspection frameworks, and all regulatory approvals.
- North Gate British School – Ajman, UAE (850 students) UK Curriculum
- Formed partnerships with key stakeholders to drive business growth.
Senior Executive Vice Principal
Al Yasat Private School
Abu Dhabi, UAE
2023.01 - 2024.07
- Company Overview: Al Yasat Private School – Abu Dhabi, UAE (1200 students) American Curriculum
- Developed and embedded a consistent teaching and learning framework across all phases, ensuring high expectations, effective differentiation, and learner engagement.
- Introduced lesson observation cycles, supported by coaching and mentoring, improving teaching quality across all subjects and grade levels.
- Implemented a data-driven approach to planning and assessment, ensuring regular tracking of student progress and targeted intervention.
- Led professional development sessions on formative assessment, inclusive practices, and active learning strategies, aligned to international best practice and school improvement goals.
- Designed an academic success strategy for Grade 12 students, including: Personalised support plans for underachieving students.
- After-school tutoring and exam preparation workshops.
- Collaboration with subject leads to ensure exam readiness and content mastery.
- Organised career counselling and university guidance sessions, supporting students with university applications, scholarships, and pathway options.
- Introduced a Career Talk Series featuring local and international professionals from fields such as medicine, law, engineering, aviation, and entrepreneurship.
- Led the development and implementation of a whole-school behaviour policy, promoting consistency, restorative practices, and high expectations.
- Established strong relationships with Emirati families and the wider local community, resulting in increased trust and enrolment from national students.
- Al Yasat Private School – Abu Dhabi, UAE (1200 students) American Curriculum
Acting Principal
Mathena American School
Sharjah, UAE
2022.07 - 2022.12
Principal
Victoria School
Sharjah, UAE
2021.08 - 2022.07
Vice Principal
Newlands School
Dubai, UAE
2018.08 - 2020.07
Deputy Headteacher
Raffles International School
Dubai, UAE
2014.08 - 2018.07
Assistant Headteacher
Barham Primary School
Wembley, UK
2008.09 - 2013.12
Head of Year/PE
Gladesmore Community School
London
2004.09 - 2008.07
PE Teacher (NQT)
Albany School
Enfield, UK
1999.08 - 2004.07
Education
Cognia – Eleot Training Certificate - Education
Cognia
Abu Dhabi 2023.01 - 2023.06
NPQH – National Professional Qualification for Headship - Education
UCL Centre for Educational Leadership – Infinite Learning
London, UK 2022.04 - 2023.10
MA - Education (Leadership and Management)
Middlesex University
Dubai, UAE 2014.09 - 2016.10
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - Education
Department for Education and Employment (DFEE)
1999.09 - 2000.06
B.Ed (Hons) - PE/ICT (Secondary Education)
The University College Plymouth, St Mark & St John
Plymouth, South Devon, UK 1995.09 - 1999.05
Skills
Description Strategic Leadership - Ability to set a clear vision and strategic direction aligned with UAE National Agenda, school goals, and inspection frameworks (eg, MOE, ADEK, KHDA)
Cultural Intelligence - Sensitivity and adaptability to the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of students, staff, and parents in the UAE
Knowledge of UAE Regulations - In-depth understanding of MOE guidelines, child protection laws, Emirati student provisions, licensing procedures, and inspection standards
School Improvement Planning - Experience in developing and executing school improvement plans (SIPs) aligned with UAE framework and inspection criteria
Academic Excellence - Ability to drive high standards in teaching and learning, curriculum implementation (British, American), and student attainment
Arabic and Islamic Values Integration - Respectful integration of Arabic language, Islamic education, and UAE national identity into the curriculum and school culture
Custom
On Request
Personal Information
- Date of birth: 07/13/66
- Nationality: British
Affiliations
- Sports, Cinema, Reading, Cooking
Accomplishments
Recognised by the teaching and administration faculty for creating a community spirit across the school.
Timeline
Founding Principal
North Gate British School
2024.04 - 2025.06
Cognia – Eleot Training Certificate - Education
Cognia
2023.01 - 2023.06
Senior Executive Vice Principal
Al Yasat Private School
2023.01 - 2024.07
Acting Principal
Mathena American School
2022.07 - 2022.12
NPQH – National Professional Qualification for Headship - Education
UCL Centre for Educational Leadership – Infinite Learning
2022.04 - 2023.10
Principal
Victoria School
2021.08 - 2022.07
Vice Principal
Newlands School
2018.08 - 2020.07
MA - Education (Leadership and Management)
Middlesex University
2014.09 - 2016.10
Deputy Headteacher
Raffles International School
2014.08 - 2018.07
Assistant Headteacher
Barham Primary School
2008.09 - 2013.12
Head of Year/PE
Gladesmore Community School
2004.09 - 2008.07
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - Education
Department for Education and Employment (DFEE)
1999.09 - 2000.06
PE Teacher (NQT)
Albany School
1999.08 - 2004.07
B.Ed (Hons) - PE/ICT (Secondary Education)
The University College Plymouth, St Mark & St John
1995.09 - 1999.05