Why Aldar Academies?

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HISTORY OF
ALDAR ACADEMIES

From the opening of the first school, Pearl British Academy in 2007, Aldar Academies has fast grown into a leading provider of private education across a network of seven Academies and one Nursery.

Aldar Academies continues to work towards its promise of ‘Delivering the highest standards of education and inspiring a love of learning.’ with plans to grow its current schools and build new ones which will expand its student capacity to over 14,000 in the coming years. These expansion plans also include ambition for Aldar Academies to enter the nursery sector, from where children will be able to take advantage of priority placements into Aldar Academies primary schools.

To date, Aldar Academies have invested more than Dh450 million in Abu Dhabi’s education sector as part of its commitment to the UAE’s 2030 vision. We see this as a long-term investment and will continue to invest in this sector as we expand.

PURPOSE

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION TO SHAPE OUR FUTURE.

This is our “big idea”. It is what we are determined to achieve and the legacy we wish to leave. It is our intention and what we want to ensure happens.

PROMISE

DELIVERING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF EDUCATION AND INSPIRING A LOVE OF LEARNING.

This is our commitment. This is what we do as a team every day. This is what others can expect from us and what we can expect in return. This is the way we do things.

VALUES

EXCELLENCE, CREATIVITY, PASSION, RESPECT AND COLLABORATION

Our values define who we are. They are the fundamental beliefs of our organisation. They guide our actions and behaviour.

OUR LEADERSHIP

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H.E. MOHAMED KHALIFA AL MUBARAK
CHAIRMAN

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak is Chairman of Aldar Education and has overseen the company from its beginnings. Mohammed is passionate about the contribution that education makes to society and takes very seriously the role that Aldar Education plays in developing citizens of the future.
Mohamed is the Chairman of Aldar Properties PJSC. He is a member of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is the Chairman of the Department of Culture & Tourism of Abu Dhabi and also Chairman of Image Nation, which seeks to develop the UAE film industry through the production of films that take Emirati and regional stories to a wider global audience, as well as funding international motion pictures.
Prior to joining Aldar, Mohamed worked in London for Barclays Capital. A native of Abu Dhabi, he is a graduate of Northeastern University (USA), with a double Major in Economics and Political Science.

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SAHAR COOPER
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Sahar has extensive experience in global education management over a period of 25 years. She has spent the past 19 years in the UAE in various education based senior leadership roles.

Sahar has extensive management experience in leading the delivery of large, complex and multi-site projects in education. She has an established track record of business performance improvement in education through operational delivery, supply chain management, risk and governance, health and safety, strategy development and execution, project management, M&A integration, facilities and asset management, talent development, succession planning and change leadership.

Prior to joining Aldar Academies, Sahar was the Chief Schools Operations Officer at GEMS Education one of the largest K-12 private education providers globally. Her role centred around the empowering of schools to focus on delivering the best possible education by providing centralised operational support and commercial leadership for all non-academic group functions; focused on the alignment of strategy and programs to drive business value for internal and external stakeholders. Sahar was also responsible for the pre-operational deployment of over 50 new schools across multiple regions, ensuring each school was built with education at the forefront of the fit out, modelling and development.

Sahar was educated in the USA and attained a Master’s Degree (MBA) in International Management, graduating with honors from Southeastern University Washington DC.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
CHRIS WILSON
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Chris joined Aldar Education as CFO in September 2020. He has extensive experience across investor relations, corporate finance and broader finance roles. Prior to joining Aldar Education, Chris was Head of Investor Relations at Aldar Properties for over 6 years. In this role, he responsible for all investor-related activities surrounding both equity and debt capital markets and played a key role in several transformational projects.

Prior to this, Chris served in various roles within investor relations, corporate finance and finance at FTSE 100 mining group Antofagasta plc in London. His experience across various sectors and financial disciplines positions him well to steer the organisation through its next phase of growth.

Chris holds a First Class Hons in Finance from Lancaster University Management School and a chartered accountancy certification (ICAS).

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STEPHEN SHARPLES
DIRECTOR - EDUCATION

Steve has worked in education for almost 20 years and spent most of that time in a variety of leadership positions, including, Head of School and Principal/CEO.

Steve has supported schools and Principals in the UK and UAE to develop new curriculum models, introduce innovative programmes of study, train senior leaders and prepare schools for inspection. He is experienced in school start-ups and new school buildings and expansions.

In addition to his work in school leadership he has also been employed by the International Baccalaureate Organization as a consultant and was made an IB Ambassador for the Europe, Africa and Middle East region. He has extensive experience of school improvement, raising standards and developing leadership capacity.

In addition to his Bachelor’s Degree, Steve holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, Management and Learning.

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TRACY MOXLEY
DIRECTOR - EDUCATION

Tracy is an educational leader who has experience, leading in UK, US and international education. She has extensive experience in educational innovation, new pedagogies, teacher professional development and school improvement. As a curriculum developer, Tracy is committed to interdisciplinary, innovative global citizenship education and service learning. She has recently been developing student and teacher global exchange experiences to enhance student learning.

Tracy has also been involved in research with Harvard Graduate School of Education Project Zero in the implementation of innovative pedagogy through teacher action research, exploring the creation of innovative communities within educational institutions. She has also been committed to student wellbeing and the correlation between wellbeing and academic performance.

Tracy is a published author on the IB Middle Years programme and was a Co-Founder of The Kindred Project; a unique NGO set up and led by students, supporting peers in developing schools in India, Morocco and Uganda. As a CIS inspector, she has also completed international accreditation visits at prestigious schools in Moscow and Prague. Tracy has a Master’s degree and Professional Diploma in International Education from the Institute of Education, University

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Donna McMaster
DIRECTOR - EDUCATION

Donna joined Aldar Education in October 2020 from West Lothian Council in Scotland, where she was Head of Education with a proven track record of implementing transformational change across a range of Education Services. Donna provided strategic leadership to almost 80 primary and secondary schools, and 70 nurseries in all aspects of Education. She has extensive experience of leading Schools, Performance and Quality Improvement teams and Professional learning teams.

Donna has a wealth of experience, having started her career as a Physics Teacher before progressing into senior leadership and then three Principal posts, prior to her role as Head of Education.

Donna was a member of the Association of Directors of Education Scotland, representing all Directors on many Government boards holding a pivotal role leading change on a local and national level, including shaping and influencing the national curriculum. Donna has extensive experience in developing and implementing 3 – 18 curriculum models at school, local authority and national level. She has embraced international research and evidence-based approaches to influence the direction of travel in education for many years.

In addition, Donna was a Professional Associate Inspector with Education Scotland the National Improvement agency.
Donna holds an honours Degree in Physics, Scottish Qualification for Headship and Diploma in Pastoral Support.

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ARYEAH MOHASSES
DIRECTOR - STRATEGY & INNOVATION

Aryeah is a global education commercial leader with over a decade of regional experience in empowering schools to deliver the best possible education through providing central commercial and strategic support. He has been in the region for over two decades and has joined Aldar Academies as the Director of Strategy & Innovation in November 2018.

Prior to joining Aldar Academies, Aryeah served as the Vice President of Commercial Operations at a Dubai based global education provider for 5 years where he was responsible for developing commercial engagements with third parties, driving operational M&A integration initiatives and deploying global strategic sourcing activities across large, complex, multi-site projects. Throughout the past 5 years, Aryeah has been instrumental in overseeing the fit out and development of over 40 new schools in the region from concept design all the way through to delivery and operation.

Aryeah earned his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Texas A&M University and his Honors Bachelor of Science (H.Bsc) in Economics and Statistics from the University of Toronto.

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DAVID TAYLOR
DIRECTOR - OPERATIONS

Dave moved to the UAE in June 2013 after having managed a £35m construction project for a new Academy model in the UK. He worked in various school based administrative and operational roles within the UK before moving to the UAE to manage and lead the construction of a British premium private school in Dubai.

Dave joined Aldar Academies in December 2018 following a successful 5 years with a Dubai based global education provider as their Vice President of Operations. He brings more than 15 years of education management experience and has successfully led a network of 52 School based Operations Managers across the region, whilst also overseeing group wide support services, a housing portfolio for over 5,000 international teachers across the UAE and Support Staff accommodation for over 4,000 employees.

Dave is responsible for leading all school based Operations and Support Services along with the development and implementation of all group wide operational strategic aims, service delivery, external service provision, HSE development, and the international staff housing portfolio with a clear focus on supporting school leadership teams across our network of high quality schools.

DIRECTOR - PEOPLE & CULTURE

SARAH SIYANI
DIRECTOR - PEOPLE & CULTURE

Sarah brings over 15 years of HR management and leadership experience to Aldar Education. Sarah has worked in HR roles within the education sector for 10 years; starting in a local education authority in the UK. Sarah joins us from a global technology company, in which she was the regional HR lead for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia regions.

Sarah is a skilled business partner to senior and executive leaders, and has extensive experience in building and leading HR teams in the creation and execution of companywide HR and talent strategy, aligned to company goals. Sarah will be building her team to appropriately support our business in its growth and in the development of our people.

Sarah holds a dual honours Bachelors (BA) in Law and HR; a first class Masters’ (MSc) in HR (focus on International HR and Employment Law); and is a chartered member of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development).

OUR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS

Al Ain British Academy
Ian Pugh

Mr Pugh has been working in education for nearly twenty years. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in education, is a Level 1 Penta trained school inspector and is currently completing his National Professional Qualification for Headship. He has vast education and leadership experience internationally and in the UK. Having been in educational senior leadership for 9 years, he has strategically supported schools graded as outstanding, as well as working in leadership teams tasked with taking schools out of special measures, to become good schools.

Mr Pugh takes great pride in welcoming you to Al Ain British Academy as Principal of the school. He joined Al Ain British Academy on the school’s Senior Leadership team in 2019, bringing proven educational and assessment strategies to the school and building a strategic team of middle leaders to ensure each individual child gets the very best education every day. His philosophy is that each member of the AAA community should feel safe and happy coming to school, while being exposed to challenge, inquiry and excitement. Thus, our pupils will make progress every day, enjoying the learning experiences they are immersed in.

As the world begins to return to normal after the pandemic, the world of education has a wealth of opportunities available to children. Mr. Pugh believes this is a time to inspire children and allow them to investigate a wealth of learning beyond the classroom, developing their love for sports, arts, drama as well as collaborating with those similar and different from ourselves, as we look to develop tolerant, visionary leaders of the future for the U.A.E and globally.

Bateen World Academy
Neal Dilk

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.

Mamoura British Academy

SARAH WEAVER

Sarah Weaver brings to Mamoura British 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 Mamoura British 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.

Muna British Academy
Graeme Kinkead

I spent my formative years growing up in a beautiful coastal village in Northern Ireland before moving to England to study and graduate from Sheffield Hallam University. Prior to working at Muna, I have been privileged to hold teaching and leadership roles in schools in England, Kuwait and The UAE.

Since arriving at Muna in September 2020, I have been overseen the development of our pastoral care programme and have ensured that high quality teaching is taking place throughout the school. I have always been passionate about ensuring that school is a safe and welcoming place where children enjoy coming. It was a great honour to be appointed principal of this wonderful school in January 2024 and I will continue to work hard to ensure that every child feels valued and has the opportunity to develop as both a learner and a person.

Outside of school, I spend my free time with my wife and three children. At the weekend I enjoy watching my favourite football team play and when time permits it, playing squash and hockey. Over the coming months and years, I look forward to developing positive relations and getting to know all of the students, their families and the wider Muna British Academy community.

Pearl British Academy

Barbara Heaton

Barbara Heaton joins Pearl British 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.

Yasmina British Academy

Keith Miller

I feel both privileged and honored to be given the opportunity of leading Yasmina British 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 Yasmina British Academy into one of the leading schools internationally.

Yas American Academy

Sarah Griffiths

Having been in education for the last 30 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 Education for the last 13 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 and young adults to develop their skills in which they can realise their dreams for their future.

Taking on the role as Principal of Yas American Academy in January 2024 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.

AT A GLANCE

Year Group School Fees Per Annum (in AED)* Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Registration Fee
FS 2 58,090 23,236 17,427 17,427 2,000
Year 1 – Year 6 61,000 24,400 18,300 18,300 2,000
Year 7 – Year 8 62,520 25,008 18,756 18,756 2,000
Year 9 67,030 26,812 20,109 20,109 2,000
Year 10 – Year 11 70,420 28,168 21,126 21,126 2,000
Year 12 – Year 13 73,380 29,352 22,014 22,014 2,000

* To view the fee policy please click here.
* Tuition Fees do not include uniform, food services, transport, examination fees or extra-curricular activities outside school hours.

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