About Us
A World Class School Offering the British Curriculum
The Dubai British Schools’ Legacy
Since 2005, our Dubai British Schools have established a remarkable legacy in providing premium British education, consistently fostering an environment where students can thrive. With a steadfast vision centred on “Enjoy, Aspire, and Achieve,” our schools emphasise not only academic excellence but also the importance of a holistic educational experience that allows our students to reach their potential. This commitment has enabled countless students to cultivate a love for learning, aspire to reach their full potential, and achieve outstanding results. By nurturing critical thinking, creativity, and character development, the Dubai British Schools continue to prepare students for success in an ever-changing world, solidifying their reputation as a leader in British education in the region.
2005
The first Dubai BritishSchool was Founded
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Qualified UK-Curriculum Teachers0 +
Total Students EnrolledDubai British School Foundation
Established in 2014, DBF is nestled in the vibrant Jumeirah Islands area of Dubai. Our school is purpose-built with a family-centered approach, dedicated to Early Years education following England’s EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) curriculum. As a proud member of the Taaleem family of schools, DBF serves as the Early Years School for the Dubai British School community.
Our Team
Our staff of highly qualified and experienced professionals is committed to providing a world-class education for your child. Each team member brings unique skills and a passion to create a positive and dynamic learning environment for our students.
Emran Kashem
Deputy Head of Secondary
Nikki Holman
Head of Admissions- UK Curriculum Schools
Tasnim AlMahdi
Admissions Manager
Lovely Mortil
Admissions Assistant
Lama Sabri
School Registrar
Rebecca Coulter
Executive PrincipalRebecca graduated from the University of Cambridge, serving as Head of Performing Arts in Southeast England before advancing into Sixth Form Leadership. As Director of Sixth Form with the Inspiration Trust, she rapidly enhanced Sixth Form provision, earning acclaim as one of the top performing Sixth Forms for progress in the UK.
Since relocating to Dubai in 2016, she has served as a senior leader at both Kings’ and Jumeirah College before assuming the position of Principal at Dubai British School Jumeirah Park. Her inspirational and visionary leadership culminated in the school receiving an “Outstanding” judgement from BSO in 2022 and KHDA in 2024, firmly establishing DBSJP as one of the leading schools in Dubai.
Rebecca is adept at spearheading school improvement and managing change, with particular expertise in safeguarding, leading staff and teacher development and curriculum design. Rebecca is also a certified trainer with UCL, specialising in senior leadership development.
Nathan Sadler
Vice Principal & Head of Primary
Jen Cruickshank
Head of SecondaryJen is an accomplished and influential educational leader with a proven track record of driving sustained school improvement and securing excellence across diverse contexts. With leadership experience spanning both private and state sectors, she is known for combining strategic precision with a deeply held moral purpose, consistently delivering strong outcomes for students and staff.
She holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship, reflecting her expertise and leadership at the highest level of the profession.
Jen began her career teaching Physical Education and Dance before rapidly progressing into leadership across Physical Education, Performing Arts and Wellbeing. Early in her career, she established a reputation for building inclusive, high-performing teams and for championing a holistic approach to student development, where high expectations are matched by strong pastoral care.
Her transition to senior leadership in Dubai saw her lead the development of Creative Arts before moving into whole-school responsibility for Key Stages 4 and 5 and, subsequently, Deputy Headteacher. Across these roles, she led curriculum, assessment and pastoral strategy, bringing coherence, rigour and alignment that translated into strong outcomes and sustained improvement.
Now in her third year as Head of Secondary at DBSJP, Jen plays a central role in sustaining and building on the school’s Outstanding status, as recognised by both KHDA and BSO. Her leadership has focused on embedding consistency, strengthening teaching and learning, and ensuring that systems and structures translate into meaningful classroom impact while remaining purposeful and manageable for staff. She is particularly recognised for her ability to lead sustained improvement beyond inspection outcomes, maintaining momentum while protecting staff capacity and continuing to raise standards across the secondary phase.
Jen is a passionate advocate for student wellbeing, underpinned by a belief that exceptional outcomes are built on a foundation of psychological safety, inclusion and high expectations. She is uncompromising in her drive to ensure every student can succeed, leading work that removes barriers, raises ambition and supports students to achieve beyond their perceived limits.
At the core of her leadership is a commitment to developing future-ready learners who enjoy their journey, aspire to make a difference and have a meaningful impact on the world. She believes, unapologetically, that learning should be fun, and that joy, challenge and high expectations are not competing forces but essential partners in exceptional education.
Laurie Joiner
Deputy Head of Primary Y1-Y3Laurie is an accomplished educational leader with a diverse background in design and a proven track record of success in primary education. With a Bachelor’s degree in Jewellery & Metal Design and a PGCE in Primary Education from the University of Dundee, Laurie’s academic foundation is complemented by certifications in leadership and coaching. Laurie taught in Scotland, Mexico and Qatar before joining DBSJP in 2017.
As Assistant Head, then Deputy Head of Primary since 2019, Laurie has been instrumental in elevating DSIB ratings, spearheading curriculum enhancements, and fostering a transformative culture within the school. Her skills as an adaptive communicator, strategic thinker, and visionary leader have driven impactful changes in teaching practices, curriculum design, and school evaluation methods, resulting in outstanding student progress and enhanced pedagogical awareness among staff.
With a passion for functional fitness, mindfulness, and community engagement, Laurie’s dedication, creativity, and steadfast commitment to excellence ensure high quality outcomes for students. Her collaborative approach, visionary mindset, and hands-on experience make her a dynamic and impactful leader in the field of primary education.
Russell Smart
Deputy Head of Primary Y4-Y6Russell graduated from Westminster Institute of Education, Oxford, with a BA (Hons) in Primary Education, specialising in History. He began his educational career in 2003 in his hometown of Swindon, initially serving as a Key Stage 2 teacher and leading the integration of IT in the classroom.
Russell’s passion for technology and history has shaped his career, enabling him to explore innovative educational practices. His early role as Head of Key Stage 2 in the UK allowed him to merge these interests, driving forward-thinking approaches in teaching and learning.
After moving to Dubai, Russell took on the role of Assistant Headteacher and more recently, Deputy Head of Primary at schools recognised for their outstanding performance. His leadership has seen him lead in a range of school improvement initiatives.
Russell holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and Tribal Inspector Certification. He has been a key member of leadership teams that elevated schools to Outstanding status, demonstrating his ability to lead staff and drive student achievement. One notable example is his work on integrating technology into the curriculum, which has significantly enhanced student engagement and learning outcomes.
Currently, as Deputy Head of Primary, Russell oversees Years 4 to 6 and manages assessment procedures, ensuring high academic standards and continuous improvement in teaching and learning. His role includes mentoring teachers, spearheading curriculum development, and fostering a supportive learning environment.
Russell’s educational philosophy centres on inspiring a love of learning and developing critical thinking skills in students. He believes in the power of innovative pedagogy and evidence-informed practices to transform education. His commitment to educational excellence and his visionary leadership continue to make a significant impact.
Susan Marshall
Director of Inclusion
Nadine Darazi
Director of Arabic & IslamicNadine’s journey in the field of education has been both diverse and impactful. Graduating from Saint-Joseph University in Lebanon with a master’s degree in Arabic literature in 2002, she started out as a primary and secondary teacher for six years before venturing into new challenges in Dubai.
Throughout her nine years of teaching in Dubai, Nadine consistently excelled in her role, eventually transitioning into leadership positions within various schools. In 2019, Nadine took on a new role at Taaleem Central Office, showcasing her passion for education and languages. Her dedication to her work led her to become the Director of Arabic and Islamic at DBSJP in 2020. An advocate for continuous learning, Nadine is fluent in three languages – Arabic, French, and English – which speaks volumes about her commitment to growth and development.
Nadine firmly believes that effective leadership involves empowering team members to think creatively and push boundaries. She sees leadership as a privilege that involves genuinely caring about the success and well-being of her team. As both a parent and staff member at DBSJP, Nadine is committed to finding innovative ways to inspire a love for the Arabic language and Islamic studies in students, linking their studies to real-life practices. For Nadine, leadership is a privilege that entails genuinely caring about the success and well-being of the entire team.
Sophie Veroni
Lead EAL Specialist Teacher - primary
Rose Akachi
Head of Foundation StageOver the last 15 years, Rose has taught and led Early Years Foundation Stage departments in both the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. Rose discovered her passion for working in the Early Years, when she worked on a play project, whilst she was studying at The London College of Fashion.
Rose believes that the Foundation Stage is a crucial time in a child’s educational journey as it lays the foundation for future learning and development. Rose is a champion of learning through play and understands the importance of children being given the time and autonomy to explore, create and solve problems.
Her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Education Studies ignited a passion to learn more about best practice in the Early Years and she believes it is crucial to keep up to date with Early Years research. Rose enjoys attending conferences and she has spoken at ADEK and digital education events on subjects such as technology in the Early Years.
Rose is proud to have led her departments to achieve ‘Outstanding’ ratings in BSO, ADEK Nursery and KHDA inspections. She is looking forward to joining the team at DBF and working with the team to continue the ‘Outstanding’ Early Years practice.
Paul Cuthbert
Assistant Head Whole School - DataPaul graduated from Aston University with First Class honours in Information-Mathematics and completed his PGCE at the University of Birmingham. He taught Mathematics at a secondary school in Suffolk for over 10 years, advancing from classroom teacher to Head of Year.
In 2018, Paul moved to Dubai with his family to join Dubai British School Jumeirah Park (DBSJP) as Assistant Headteacher. He progressed to a member of the Senior Leadership Team, overseeing Assessment and Reporting. Paul is very proud to have been part of the school’s journey, moving from a Good rating when he joined to Outstanding in 2024.
Outside of school, Paul enjoys live sports, snorkelling, and family activities. He thrives on the “penny drop” moments in teaching and takes pride in students’ achievements, particularly when they surpass their own expectations. His leadership philosophy emphasises collaboration and innovation to help every student reach their full potential.































































