Leadership Team
Andrew Thomas B.Ed (Hons) M.Phil NPQH
SCHOOL EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL
Main Responsibilities: Strategic Direction
Andrew worked for 17 years in one of the UK’s largest secondary academy’s in Devon, before joining AAESS. He held many portfolios including Director of 6th Form, Head of Year 7 and Keys Stage 3 Manager. Andrew trained as a PE teacher and undertook his Master’s degree with a leading professor in the UK, in ICT & Physical Education. Andrew has given many conference speeches for BETT Middles East, The British Educational Research Association, and also at many Premier Football Clubs, including Chelsea and Arsenal! His research has been published in many renowned journals. He led a very successful ICT, Business & Law Faculty that saw results at A Level being in the top 5% of the UK. Andrew enjoys skeet shooting and time with his wife, Georgia, and two sons, James & Ben.
Helen McCauley B.Ed (Hons) First Class
Principal of Primary
Main Responsibilities: Primary Teaching & Learning English, Library & Registrar
Before moving to Al Ain to join AAESS in August 2013 Helen lived and worked in the West of Scotland. She spent 13 years in her previous school which had been graded by Her Majesty’s Inspectorates (HMI) as one of the top performing primary schools in Scotland. During Helen’s time in her previous employment she achieved Chartered Teacher Status and worked very closely with the Senior Leadership Team in improving standards across the school. In addition, Helen also worked on curriculum development within her local authority and with Education Scotland (the national body for supporting quality and improvement in learning and teaching). Helen is a 2nd level trained inspector with the British Schools Middle East. She enjoys spending her holidays with her husband and 3 grown children who live and work across the UK.
Zaheer Abass BSc, HED (Distinction: Physics and Chemistry)
Principal of Secondary
Main Responsibilities: Progress & Data Faculty Link: Science, Arabic & Islamic
Zaheer graduated with the honour of being chosen as the best Physicist of his year while achieving distinctions in Physics and Chemistry. Zaheer started his teaching career in 1996 in South Africa. He joined AAESS in January 2002 as General Science and Physics teacher. In 2008 he was promoted to the Head of Science in the secondary school. Zaheer is particularly proud of students’ achievements in Science in his time at AAESS. Besides achieving outstanding results in Science, several students have extended their success in scientific careers worldwide.
Zaheer’s wife teaches English in the secondary school and his daughter has just completed 6th Form. He enjoys running, cooking and body surfing.
Robert Rudling B.Ed Hons PE with QTS
Deputy Principal of Secondary
Main Responsibilities: E-learning, Innovation and ECAs Faculty Link: PE and Sport
Robert joined the school in 2018 as Director of Sport and in August 2020 was promoted to Assistant Principal of the secondary school. Although Robert spends the majority of his time in the secondary school he guides the whole school in E-Learning and Innovation whilst developing the extra-curricular provision for our student. Robert has worked in England, Malaysia, Thailand and New York. Robert is proud of the development and progress made during the ECA program and overwhelmed by the development of well rounded, worldly and self motivated students.
In his spare time, Robert enjoys playing golf and competing in triathlons and taking part in iron man competitions.
Carolyn Bavister B. Ed (Hons)
Deputy Principal of Primary
Carolyn joined AAESS in September 2017, having previously worked in the South West of England, at an ‘Outstanding’ school, for 17 years and before that, at a school in Bedfordshire for 7 years.
In the UK, Carolyn held the position of Assistant Headteacher with responsibilities for: developing and maintaining high standards of teaching and learning, raising pupil attainment and achievement, monitoring pupil progress, leading training for trainee teachers, mentoring the induction process for Newly Qualified Teachers and motivating and inspiring her teaching teams. She also effectively led a primary teacher’s support network, was an educational representative on the strategy board of a Music Hub and was an Assessor for the Artsmark Award which recognises schools’ exceptional commitment to creativity.
Carolyn is passionate about building positive relationships with parents, colleagues and students, to ensure all children have an engaging and enriching learning experience that will prepare them for the future.
In her spare time, Carolyn pursues a wide range of interests including: cycling, paddle boarding, sailing, golf, tennis, travelling and spending time with her family.
Hadi Sfenjeh, Bachelor Degree in Arabic & Islamic Studies, Professional Diploma in Teaching
Deputy Principal of Arabic and Islamic
Main Responsibilities: Arabic, Islamic and Social Studies
Hadi is a devoted father of three children, advising them to continue having Islamic values and virtues.
Hadi loves soft music, swimming and walking.
He is proud of Arabic as a language which was the reason he chose to get his Bachelor’s degree in Arabic and Islamic studies followed by a teaching career.
After nine years as a teacher, Hadi followed with eight years as the Head of the Arabic Department and later as a Principal for a private school for six years. During those times, he made sure to continue to develop his professional skills in all areas which enabled him to be a permanent member of the Board of Trustees for a numbers of schools in Al Ain.
Recently, Hadi was honored to join AAESS to be one of the members of staff working together hard with his team to do their best. He is encouraged by how much the Arabic team is dedicated on enriching Arabic reading in the school. Aiming for a better performance in using innovation and creativity in all aspects of their students’ learning journey.
Petrus Vreugdenburg H.D.Ed.; CPT3A; BPS
Deputy Principal of Learning Support
Petrus completed his H.D.E (B. Ed Equivalency) in 1996 and is currently completing his MEd in Special Education Needs with Middlesex University. He is also CPT3A qualified and is registered with the British Psychology Society.
Petrus has been with AAESS since his two oldest boys began their AAESS journey in 2013. He became a Board of Trustee member in 2015 and continues to serve on the Board today. Petrus began his career as a classroom teacher at AAESS in 2016, working in various departments until he was offered a role in the intervention department of the school in 2020.
Petrus is committed to creating an environment where all students feel they are valued and empowered to achieve their full potential. He believes that an inclusive and diverse school community enhances the educational experience for all students. He works closely with our hard-working staff, students and families to ensure that AAESS continues to be an excellent place of learning and belonging.
Petrus is also a long serving member of the Committee for the AL Ain Amblers Rugby club. He believes that we should live a balanced life and encourages all students to participate in a variety of activities. One of his proudest moments was playing for Al Ain Amblers in the team with his two oldest sons. His youngest son is currently in Primary and his wife is a KS1 teacher.
Alan Wright BA (Hons), MA (Education)
Deputy Principal
After completing his teacher training from St. Lukes, Exeter in Physical Education in 2007, Alan has worked in some prestigious prep and senior schools in the United Kingdom. Throughout his teaching career, he has held middle and senior management positions and is experienced with the pastoral, academic and co-curricular needs of school education spanning early years to KS5. He has successfully guided PE departments through HMC, ISI and Ofsted inspections in the UK. In 2023, Alan arrived as Director of Sport at AAESS with his 2 children joining the school in Year 1 and Year 7 respectively.
Alan is a huge advocate of inclusive education and ensuring that all children have the opportunity to develop and progress in a creative, inspiring and innovative educational environment. With his youngest child on the autistic spectrum, he is driven to ensure all children are given the best possible chance of success.
In his spare time, Alan enjoys spending time with his family and friends, exploration and adventure of new areas and playing sports. From his younger days playing a high level of football and rugby particularly, he now enjoys playing golf when he gets the chance.
Gary S. Jenks B.Ed (Hons) NPQLT
Assistant Principal Primary Lower KS2
Since completing his BEd (Hons) Primary Education degree in 2012, Gary has worked in a number of schools in both Year 3, as well as, Learning Support departments. In 2019, Gary joined AAESS, moving from a mainstream school in Shropshire, England; and started in the role of Year 3 class teacher. Gary was promoted to the role of Head of Year 4, in January 2020, in August 2022 took up the position of Associate Principal of Primary, and then later the position of Assistant Principal from August 2024. Gary played a leading role in supporting the school and SLT in gaining the coveted BSO award and accreditation. Gary leads Lower Key Stage 2 within the school as well as coordinating whole school events and awards, such as the Carnegie Wellbeing Award. Gary is passionate about learning and educating the child as a whole, and strongly believes in implementing a broad and balanced curriculum to ensure all children enjoy a wide range of classroom and extra curricular based experiences.
In his spare time, Gary enjoys spending quality time with his friends and challenging himself to try new adventures like Skydiving, Zip Lining and bungee jumping.
Ms Sarah Carter B.Sc (Hons) QTS
Assistant Principal
After completing her Psychology degree, Sarah spent 2 years working as a special needs teaching assistant. After this she moved on to complete her teacher training – specialising in Special Educational Needs. She taught in a UK school in the south west of England for 7 years in a variety of year groups from 3-6 but spent most of her years working in Year 6 focusing on Year 6 SATs exams. Whilst at this school Sarah took the lead on Science throughout the school and eventually throughout the trust of 7 primary schools.
Since moving to Al Ain Sarah has taught in Year 5 and been of Head of Year for the four years she has been at Al Ain English Speaking School. Whilst working as Head of Year Five Sarah has championed the holistic education of the children – teaching the whole child not just focusing on academics. She believes that it is important that every child builds their independence and finds a chance for success celebrating the small steps as well as the big.
In her spare time Sarah enjoys paddle boarding, baking and hiking – also taking students on a hiking trip in Nepal.
Mrs Michelle Taylor, BA (Hons) in Primary Education
Assistant Principal
Michelle graduated from Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln with a BA (Hons) in Primary Education. After graduating, she taught for 11 years in England across all age ranges within the primary sector. This diverse experience has enabled Michelle to develop a broad and balanced knowledge and understanding of the primary curriculum.
Michelle decided to move to the UAE to teach in 2019 and began her international teaching career at a school in Fujairah before moving to AAESS in 2021. She joined the school as Head of Year 1 and is excited to embark on her new role as an Assistant Principal with responsibility for Key Stage 1
Michelle is currently completing her NPQSL qualification to further her leadership skills. She strongly believes in encouraging the holistic development of all students through creative yet challenging learning opportunities and experiences.
In her spare time, Michelle enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is also enjoying opportunities to introduce her young daughter to new experiences and places in the UAE and afar.
Mrs Denise Grant B.A (Hons), EYPS, PGCE
Assistant Principal
Denise began her career working as a support worker in a school and college providing care and education for students with a range of physical developments and complex needs. In 2011, she began her BA (Hons) in Childhood, Youth and Community Studies and created a dance group for children ages 3-11. On completion of her degree, Denise went on to complete her Early Years Professional Status whilst managing a Pre-School in England. Following this, Denise worked in an infant school, where she became a class teacher and then Early Years lead.
In 2021, Denise joined AAESS as the Director of Early Years and has recently become the Assistant Vice Principal for Early Years. Throughout her time at AAESS, Denise has continued to develop the curriculum and promote a love of learning through play. She is passionate about Early Years education and ensuring that the children start their learning journey in a positive way.
Denise is currently completing a masters degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of the United Arab Emirates.
In her spare time, Denise enjoys travelling to new places and countries with her husband and children. She enjoys spending time with her friends at the weekend and watching her son and daughter play football.
Luke Cole BSc (Hons) PGCE (Secondary)
Assistant Principal
