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
04.2024 - 06.2025
- 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
01.2023 - 07.2024
- 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
07.2022 - 12.2022
Principal
Victoria School
Sharjah, UAE
08.2021 - 07.2022
Vice Principal
Newlands School
Dubai, UAE
08.2018 - 07.2020
Deputy Headteacher
Raffles International School
Dubai, UAE
08.2014 - 07.2018
Assistant Headteacher
Barham Primary School
Wembley, UK
09.2008 - 12.2013
Head of Year/PE
Gladesmore Community School
London
09.2004 - 07.2008
PE Teacher (NQT)
Albany School
Enfield, UK
08.1999 - 07.2004
Education
Cognia – Eleot Training Certificate - Education
Cognia
Abu Dhabi 01.2023 - 06.2023
NPQH – National Professional Qualification for Headship - Education
UCL Centre for Educational Leadership – Infinite Learning
London, UK 04.2022 - 10.2023
MA - Education (Leadership and Management)
Middlesex University
Dubai, UAE 09.2014 - 10.2016
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - Education
Department for Education and Employment (DFEE)
09.1999 - 06.2000
B.Ed (Hons) - PE/ICT (Secondary Education)
The University College Plymouth, St Mark & St John
Plymouth, South Devon, UK 09.1995 - 05.1999
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
04.2024 - 06.2025
Cognia – Eleot Training Certificate - Education
Cognia
01.2023 - 06.2023
Senior Executive Vice Principal
Al Yasat Private School
01.2023 - 07.2024
Acting Principal
Mathena American School
07.2022 - 12.2022
NPQH – National Professional Qualification for Headship - Education
UCL Centre for Educational Leadership – Infinite Learning
04.2022 - 10.2023
Principal
Victoria School
08.2021 - 07.2022
Vice Principal
Newlands School
08.2018 - 07.2020
MA - Education (Leadership and Management)
Middlesex University
09.2014 - 10.2016
Deputy Headteacher
Raffles International School
08.2014 - 07.2018
Assistant Headteacher
Barham Primary School
09.2008 - 12.2013
Head of Year/PE
Gladesmore Community School
09.2004 - 07.2008
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - Education
Department for Education and Employment (DFEE)
09.1999 - 06.2000
PE Teacher (NQT)
Albany School
08.1999 - 07.2004
B.Ed (Hons) - PE/ICT (Secondary Education)
The University College Plymouth, St Mark & St John
09.1995 - 05.1999
Similar Profiles
Ana Rasovo KabulevuAna Rasovo Kabulevu
Learning Support Assistant at British Section, AF North International SchoolLearning Support Assistant at British Section, AF North International School
Tyerese BlackkattleTyerese Blackkattle
NA at Discovering choices north gateNA at Discovering choices north gate
Emma UhodaEmma Uhoda
Long Island at Gate Guard North Shore TowersLong Island at Gate Guard North Shore Towers
Mujbur RahmanMujbur Rahman
Project Engineer at Telematics Advance TechnologyProject Engineer at Telematics Advance Technology
SATHYA MSATHYA M
Front-End developer at FreelancingFront-End developer at Freelancing