OUR AMAZING TEAM

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

Caitlin has joined us from Scotland where she has experience teaching key stage one and key stage two aged children. She has previously taught in multicultural areas of Glasgow with strong senses of community. She enjoys being creative with her approaches to learning and is passionate about delivering real life, hands on activities with her pupils needs in focus. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to new music, playing her violin and experimenting with recipes.

Ginette has many years of experience working as a Head of Inclusion both here in Dubai and in the UK.  Since qualifying in 2001, she has taught in primary schools in London, been a subject leader for English and held responsibility for leading Early Years and Key Stage One before moving into a SENCo role.  Ginette holds the UK National Award for SEN Co-ordination and a Masters Degree in Special and Inclusive Education.  She is passionate about inclusion and supports Aquila staff, students and families in ensuring that every pupil experiences amazing learning.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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."