OUR AMAZING TEAM

Wayne has over twenty five years experience as a teacher and is in his twentieth year of Headship - initially in the UK and more recently in the UAE. Wayne is proud to be coming from the only primary school ever that has been graded as outstanding in all areas by the Abu Dhabi regulatory authority.

As well as a teaching qualification, Wayne holds the UK National Professional Qualification for Headship as well as an MA in Education.

Wayne enjoys growing learning communities and working with staff to create a happy, stimulating school environment where learning is relevant and enjoyable

"I am excited and privileged to be the Founding Principal of The Aquila School and look forward to welcoming our first pupils who will experience amazing learning."

Aliaa has over 9 years’ experience working in administration and HR in a variety of fields. Aliaa also has 2 years’ experience as a French teacher.
Aliaa relocated from Egypt to the UAE with her family and undertook a career in Admissions within a school in Dubai. Aliaa is a mother to 3 lovely children, therefore understands the difficulty in selecting a school for your children! Aliaa thoroughly enjoys meeting with families and guiding them through the registration process when joining a school, which led her onto taking up a position at The Aquila School as our Registrar. Aliaa joined The Aquila School with an insight into developing her career in Education!

On the personal side, Aliaa enjoys reading, listening to music, watching movies and travelling. Aliaa is keen to develop her skills even further by learning how to play the Piano and take up Kayaking!

Amy has always had a passion for teaching and learning, she is now going into her third year of teaching with experience across different age ranges within primary school. She trained at an outstanding primary school in the UK, which is recognised for having the best outdoor learning and sensory environment for all children. She has also taught previously in the UAE, leading Moral education and UAE social studies. In line with The Aquila School’s focus on amazing learning – we are excited to know that Amy is amazing at netball but also loves drama and performing on stage!

Aoife has six years teaching experience and has worked in an international private school in Dubai following an IB curriculum with the last three years. Aoife has worked primarily with years 4 and 5 throughout her teaching career and therefore has developed an excellent understanding of concepts, knowledge and ideas for this upper age group. Aoife is extremely passionate about teaching and strives to create a holistic learning environment in her class. Her motto is ‘every second counts’ and she looks forward to making every day meaningful and rewarding for every child.

In line with the Aquila School focus on amazing learning – we are excited to know that Aoife is amazing at sports.

"I am extremely proud to be a founding member of staff of the Aquila School.

Since Moving from the UK in 2015, I have worked in Schools in Al Ain and more recently Dubai.

My role as The Aquila School Receptionist gives me a wonderful opportunity to build relationships with Parents and Students alike and as I consider myself to be very much a "People Person", it is a role that I thoroughly enjoy.

I, like all of the amazing team here, look forward to the exciting journey ahead."

Hala has 4 years’ experience working with children as an Islamic teacher with an Islamic academic background. She has taught a wide range of students up To Year 6. Hala is immensely passionate and devoted about the improvement of her pupils . She is really driven and motivated in her work and her aim is to apply her knowledge and experience in providing and developing the best quality of education for the pupils.

Welcome to The Aquila School, Dubai. I am delighted to have been appointed Admissions Manager at The Aquila School and look forward to meeting our very first Aquila families.
I am going into my third year of working in the UAE and am very exciting to meet all of our founding families. Having come from an Equestrian background in the UK where I completed my BSc (hons) degree in Equine Studies with a focus on Behaviour and Nutrition. I then took up a managerial position within the equestrian industry before relocating to the UAE.

My passion for education comes predominantly from my family, all of which come from an educational background; with my mother, uncle and two brothers all being involved in the sector.
Within the last 2 ½ years, I have had to opportunity to work as the Head Registrar at a popular Nursery chain, which has enabled me to

Hayley has over 7 years’ experience working with children and for the past 5 years she has worked in a large primary school in the UK. Having worked with children across the primary age range Hayley has a great understanding of how children learn and how to ensure learning is engaging, enjoyable and relevant.

As well has being a qualified teacher, Hayley holds a qualification in cognitive behaviour therapy.

In line with The Aquila School’s focus on amazing learning – we are excited to know that Hayley is amazing at netball.
Principal Wayne Howsen comments

"Kylie and I were lucky to have over 150 applicants to be the first teachers in our new school. As soon as we started to talk to Hayley we knew instantly that we wanted her to be part of our term. Her enthusiasm for ensuring that children will learn at levels that amaze them and her understanding of

My name is Mrs.Insiya Hakim I am Learning Assistant at The Aquila School..I have 2 years of experience as a primary n pre primary teacher. I really like spending time with kids teaching them...making them learn about new skills .I have done my Honours Diploma in NCC and Quality management course from NIIT.

Julie Churm has worked in primary schools for the last 12 years, both in the U.K and in Abu Dhabi and has taught across both key stages as well as EYFS. For the last 3 years she has been a very happy FS1 teacher, developing excellent relationships with the smallest children in school and helping them to make outstanding progress. Julie’s husband is Mr Churm, the Inclusion Teacher, and she has two children, Isabel and Jack, who are in year 3 and 4, all at The Aquila School.

Julie is amazing at showing patience and understanding with children and adults too!

Julie has over fifteen years’ teaching experience in the UK and has taught in all year groups across the primary phase. She has spent the last few years teaching in a special school for children with autism where she has learned to further develop her teaching styles and strategies to ensure effective learning for all. She has an excellent understanding of different learning styles and is very excited to contribute to the amazing learning that will be taking place in school through diverse, engaging and relevant lessons.

Julie’s son is also a founding pupil joining our year 4 class. In line with The Aquila School’s focus on amazing learning – we are excited to know that Julie is amazing at playing the guitar.

Marwa is Arabic and Islamic teacher. She was born in Egypt.
Marwa Graduated from faculty of education with a B.A degree in Arabic and Islamic studies and later she did her diploma in Islamic studies.
Marwa has 10 years’ experience. She believes when pupils are interested and involved in all activities it can make a significant improvement.
In the line with The Aquila school focus on amazing learning, we are excited to know that Marwa is a mazing at reading Arabic stories and reading Quran.

Nashwa has 15 years of experience working in Customer Services, worked with two of the biggest telecom companies, Vodafone and Etisalat. She has quality assurance and training experience. She has a great understanding of how to deal with people as coaching was an important part of her role on daily basis.
Nashwa holds a bachelor degree in English language and Literature, she also holds an Interviewing Skills certificate, Train the Trainer certificate as well as successful coaching certificate.

Rehan has been working as a learning support assistant for almost two years. She has previously worked in Dubai working with children who needed extra support as a one to one. She has experience across different year groups within primary school. In line with The Aquila School’s focus on amazing learning – we are excited to know that Rehan is amazing at Art and loves crafting.

Ryan has over 4 years’ experience as an industry accountant focused on budget control and establishing company policies. He has worked with real estate developers and facility management teams in Dubai gaining knowledge in many areas including construction and managing community operations.

Kylie has ten years experience working with children and has lived and worked in the UAE for the past 7 years. During this time Kylie was assistant principal at the first ever school in Abu Dhabi to be graded as outstanding. Kylie has worked across the entire primary range and has a particular interest in supporting children in the Early Years to ensure their learning is amazing and they enjoy going to school every day.

As well as being a qualified teacher, Kylie has also completed her PENTA inspection training.

Sherin is from the city of Alexandria, north of Egypt, she has a qualification in Arabic language, Education and Methodology from the University of Alexandria. She has over 12 years’ experience working with children and teaching Arabic to Arabs and non-Arab students. She is Head of Department for the past five years in one of the American schools in Dubai. Sherin believes that all students should be active learners, through engaging and interactive activities.

Lynsey has over 7 years’ experience working with children and for the past 3 years she has worked in an outstanding school in the Abu Dhabi. Lynsey has experience working across the primary age range and enjoys creating exciting and child led learning activities.

Lynsey enjoys sports and is keen promoting girls’ sports in school. She has previously led the school netball team and supported with basketball.

In line with The Aquila School’s focus on amazing learning – we are excited to know that Lynsey is amazing at making cheesecakes

Reanne has taught across the primary phases, but has spent most of her time teaching in Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and 2) and working with early years children (FS1, FS2), both within and outside of the school context. She has spent the last few years teaching in an Outstanding school in London where she has worked with other teachers to improve the reading and writing across early years and Key Stage 1. In line with The Aquila School’s focus on amazing learning – we are excited to know that Reanne is amazing at creative writing.

Andy has worked with children across the primary age range for the past twelve years, nine years in the UK and for three years in an outstanding school in Abu Dhabi. He has great enthusiasm for helping students develop to their full potential and takes pride in having high expectations for all children.

We know that Andy is AMAZING at incorporating all his experience to enabling a child to develop inside and outside of the classroom, he is passionate about sport and music, and wants to motivate children to reach their goals.

Aisha has over 3 years’ experience working with children and has taught in year 5 and 6 during this time. Aisha has taught in schools in East London and has experience in supporting a wide range of learners to progress. In the past, she has been responsible for leading the School Council and fostering a sense of community and citizenship amongst pupils and staff – key to the Aquila School’s promise of a shared sense of purpose.

As well as a teaching qualification, Aisha has a background in International Relations and is excited by the opportunity to join a new school that has a creative curriculum that encourages independence, critical thinking and real world problem solving.
In line with The Aquila School’s focus on amazing learning – we are excited to know that Aisha is amazing at debating!

Rebecca has worked in education for 12 years and has taught Music in both primary and secondary schools across the UK and in the UAE.

Rebecca understands the importance of the development of every child, by encouraging them to become independent learners through building self-confidence and self-esteem – all skills which can be achieved through engaging musical activities such as singing, composition, drumming and collective ensemble performance.

Having worked with children across multiple key stages, Rebecca aims to give the children as many different learning opportunities and experiences as possible, providing a balanced, challenging and creative curriculum. She will also look forward to providing platforms for the Aquila children to showcase their talents both within school and in the wider community.

In line with The Aquila School’s focus on amazing learning – we are excited to know that Rebecca is amazing at directing school choirs!

Mrs Warda joined The Aquila school with substantial experience of teaching for more over 10 years in the Middle East and in Dubai since 2011 in an outstanding school as an Arabic teacher for non-natives. Her philosophy of teaching is based on a belief that learning needs to be child centered. She truly believes in active learning because knowledge gained through active participation stays with an individual for a lifetime. She is a mother of three children and her hobby is reading books and travelling overseas.

Amy has 8 years’ experience of working in sporting environments; 4 years’ of which have been spent teaching PE and swimming in primary and secondary schools in the UK and UAE. Amy has a broad knowledge of PE and sport as she holds qualifications in Sports Science with Coaching and a PGCE in Physical Education. She aims for pupils to experience holistic PE lessons, and to get involved in CAS sport clubs and school teams; to encourage them to lead an active and healthy lifestyle, as well as develop their skills further.

Kylie says:

“We want Aquila children to develop a love of reading and as soon as we met Bana she knew she was right for our school. Having five children of her own, Bana really understands the importance of reading and will be able to motivate all our children. We have bought some beautiful books to inspire and motivate the children.”

Bana says:

“I am delighted to join The Aquila School team. As a mother of five, I understand the importance of creating the best possible environment for children to read, but to love reading and to always ask for new books and new things to learn about. Reading is one of the most fundamental skills a child needs to learn to succeed in life. Developing good reading habits starts from school and is vital to children’s future not just academically,