David Hutson has been Head of School since September 2020.  David completed a BA (Honours) European Business degree at the University of Leicester, which included one year studying at the University of Catania, Sicily, as part of a languages programme. It was this year in Sicily where David developed his interest in the field of Business and Economics inspiring his postgraduate certificate in teaching. After several years of teaching both subjects in the UK, David moved into senior leadership positions in two UK schools. 

In 2011 David moved to Abu Dhabi, to join an IB school in its foundation year, as Vice Principal. His strong leadership skills, coupled with his passion for students learning in an environment which is inclusive, collaborative, innovative and focused on high standards, saw his promotion into the role of Principal in 2013. Under his six years of leadership guidance, the school developed a strong reputation in the community and the students achieved International Baccalaureate Diploma results above international standards, with a year-on-year increase in results. These impressive results saw graduating students join leading Universities in the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia. David is also proud to have led the school’s expansion into primary years and the IB PYP. The Council of International Schools described the school as outstanding and innovative. 
David has achieved an MSc in Education and Training Management, and holds the National Professional Qualification for Head Teachers. In addition, David is a certified School Inspector and a Council of International Schools Evaluator. 

David considers being Head of School as both an honour and privilege. He has a passion for education and is dedicated and committed to making Dwight School Dubai the best and most innovative International Baccalaureate school in the region. Outside of work, David’s interests include travel, spending time with his family, playing and watching sport. 
 

Over the last 20 years, Ms. Rachel Smyth has taught and held senior leadership positions in a variety of international settings; previously serving as a Director of Sport and Co-Curricular, Head of Pastoral Care, Head of Middle School and as Assistant Principal in a successful IB school in Abu Dhabi.

Ms. Smyth began her career as a high school teacher in England, before travelling abroad and working in international schools in Botswana, China and the UAE. Committed to the notion of lifelong learning, Ms. Smyth holds a B.Ed. (honours) in Physical Education and Humanities from Bedford, an MA in Education from Liverpool University and is currently undertaking her Doctoral studies with the University of Bath, UK. She also holds an international qualification for school inspection.

Ms. Smyth is passionate about creating a dynamic learning environment, characterised by high expectations and challenge, which enables students to flourish. An advocate of student voice and leadership, she believes strongly in promoting a holistic approach to education where student aspirations and wellbeing are at the forefront of their success.

Head of Lower School Kate Hornshaw, has 15 years of experience working in both UK and international schools in leadership positions such as English Coordinator, Deputy Head and most recently Head of Prep School and Nursery in an independent school in Essex, UK. Kate held the position of Deputy Principal of Lower School at Dwight London for five years before completing her NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headteachers) and taking up her position of Head of Prep and Nursery. 

Kate completed her BA (Honours) English degree in the UK and then undertook her Post Graduate Certificate in Education to begin her teaching career. She moved to Shanghai, China, to begin her role of Deputy Head of Lower School at Dulwich College Shanghai, a sister school of the prestigious Dulwich College in London. On her return to the UK, and with a desire to continue in independent education, Kate took up the position of Deputy Principal at Dwight London where she developed her passion for International Baccalaureate Education. Kate has a passion and commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, and providing personalised learning for all children. 
 

Katie Hendry is an experienced school leader formerly from Dwight School London, where she taught in the primary years and led the ICT programme. An experienced International Baccalaureate educator, Katie is a passionate PYP teacher-leader with a growth mindset who continually seeks to develop her professional practice by completing several IB Workshops. In 2018, Katie attended Dwight School New York’s Frontier Teacher Training on innovation and Design Thinking in NYC. 

Katie has taught at multiple grade levels including Grades 1, 3, and 5, and plays an integral role in the development of the Lower School literacy, maths and science curriculum, including standards development, assessment tracking and scrutiny. Katie also helps to evaluate our educational provision to ensure consistency of practice across the division. A talented presenter, Katie has led several PD sessions on the topics of the Primary Years Programme, literacy in the primary years, information technology, data tracking, and assessment. 

Katie completed her undergraduate degree in International Teaching Education for Primary Schools from the University of Applied Sciences in Meppel, The Netherlands, before earning her Newly Qualified Teacher training in London, during her first year of teaching there. 

Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking in the mountains, or running the path around the Dubai marina. She enjoys the beach, traveling, and developing her language skills. She is a risk-taker who is currently taking Spanish lessons. 
 

Jaya Bhavnani holds a BSc in Education and Physics and an MSc in Mathematics. Jaya started with Dwight New York in 2010, and Dwight Dubai in 2018, bringing with her extensive experience in international education in public and private schools spanning across three continents, as well as an active involvement with the International Baccalaureate. Jaya has trained teachers on the implementation and delivery of the IB Programme from over 30 countries on 5 continents. 

Jaya is the Founding Executive Director of Dwight Global Online School and spearheads the Rahhal program - the innovative Dubai 10X initiative in collaboration with the school. 

In 2019, Jaya was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution in Education GESS Award and was recently announced as the Winner for EDTECH LEADERSHIP AWARD 2021. As an educational leader, her work has engaged and supported individuals, families, schools, and communities for over four decades. She strongly believes in the power of respectful and compassionate relationships. 

A passionate educator, Jaya continues to support her students to develop innovative solutions to global challenges and promote entrepreneurial skills to our young leaders. She has an interest in learning languages and internationalism. 
 

Peter Atkins is an experienced school leader with 17 years experience teaching the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. He has held senior leadership positions in schools in the UK, Italy and the UAE, with his subject specialisms being Business Management and Economics. 

Peter completed his undergraduate degree in Economics and Management Studies at the University of Leeds before spending time working in the banking sector. He studied for his PGCE at the University of Lancaster and then later completed his Masters in International Education at the University of Bath, at the same time receiving the IB Teacher Award for his emphasis on the IB during his studies. Currently, Peter is enrolled at Harvard Business School, with his work focused on school management and leadership development. 

Peter brings with him a wealth of IB experience. Through his work as an IB Workshop Leader he has facilitated training for over 150+ IB Coordinators and Senior Leaders. He is a Senior Examiner for IB Business Management and the IB Extended Essay. Peter has successfully led IB World Schools through all stages of authorization, implementation, development and evaluation of the IB Diploma Program. A regular participant at the IB Global Conferences, Peter has also presented to his peers on 'the use of augmented reality in classrooms'. 
Peter is PENTA and CIS trained for school inspections and accreditations, having a comprehensive understanding of inspection frameworks. He has hands-on experience of helping to ensure schools are inspection ready. 

Outside of work, Peter likes to get away to the mountains and spend time exploring and hiking the trails or taking part in a wide variety of outdoor pursuits with his family. 

Dr. Neha Sharma has been living in the UAE for 25 years and has witnessed inclusion evolve tremendously during this period. At Dwight School Dubai, Dr. Sharma is a Senior Leader with the responsibility of the Quest provisions and services alongside standardised assessments like the CAT4 and MAP. She has previously held the senior leadership position as Head of Inclusion at an International IB Curriculum School and one of the most prestigious government schools following the UK curriculum in Dubai. 

Dr. Sharma graduated from the University of Bombay with a B.E (hons) in Engineering before obtaining a Masters in Inclusive and Special Education from the University of Birmingham (British University in Dubai campus). This unusual journey was inspired by her daughter, a person of determination. Following her passion for inclusion, she has completed her PhD in Gifted Education from British University in Dubai. Her passion includes setting up an exemplary Gifted Education Program at Dwight School Dubai. 

Dr. Sharma was rated as an ‘Exceptional’ Head of Inclusion by KHDA during their inspections in 2018. Under her leadership, the inclusion department won the 2nd best SEND team in the UAE award by Education Journal Middle East Awards in 2017. She is the recipient of the prestigious Prof. Indira Parikh Award for Women in Education Leaders organized by the World Education Congress in India in 2018. Dr. Sharma presented her research proposal at the UAE Graduate Students Research Conference in 2019. 

Dr. Sharma has also completed the CPT3A qualification and is a licensed assessor with the British Psychological Society. She has chaired the CIS accreditation committee for the Access to Teaching and Learning section at her previous school. She has completed levels 1-3 in Safeguarding and child protection, first aid in mental health, positive education and ASDAN vocational programs. 
Beyond work, Dr. Sharma enjoys reading, cooking, and listening to Indian music. 
 

Larissa Milne, is an experienced IB Diploma teacher with 18 years experience of teaching in Australia, the UK and the UAE. Larissa completed her undergraduate degrees, a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education and a Bachelor of Arts in History at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, and later completed her Master of Education in International Education at the University of Sydney, Australia. 
Larissa has also worked in collaboration with IRENA, an intergovernmental organisation based in Abu Dhabi, which supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, developing a Student Trainee Programme. Larissa has led a successful Model United Nations (MUN) programme which has included hosting an annual conference for five years involving a number of schools across the UAE. 
Larissa has a passion for international education and a passion for teaching and learning. She has a record of outstanding results consistently above world average. As well as being an experienced examiner for IB Global Politics, Larissa has successfully led a department through authorisation, development, and evaluation of the IB Diploma Programme for both History and Global Politics. In addition, Larissa has led departments through inspections, IBO and Council of International Schools accreditations and has a comprehensive understanding of the inspection framework. 
When Larissa is not teaching, she is exploring new destinations, new cuisines, playing sports, or finding new experiences. 
 

Khaled Farag is a highly qualified MYP and DP Arabic teacher who has held positions as Head of Arabic and Islamic Studies for over 10 years in a variety of notable IB schools in the UAE. 
Khaled is passionate about bringing Arabic to life through using up-to-date technology and teaching methodologies. In addition to his Bachelor of Arabic Arts and Education, he earned a Professional Diploma and Special Diploma in Educational Technology as well currently completing an M.Ed in Educational Technology. 
Khaled has a wide range of experience in educational leadership, including roles such as K-12 Head of Arabic and Pastoral Leader of Emirati Students. He is an experienced teacher trainer and school inspector member, with a focus on methodology and technology integration. He is also a proficient and experienced learning technologist, with a special focus on the application of educational technologies to Arabic and Islamic Studies. 
Khaled is always keen to contribute positively to the school community with his strong work ethic, passion for his subjects, and commitment to working collaboratively for the good of all stakeholders. 
As well as working in the Arabic department, Khaled enjoys partnering with innovation teams to create new strategies that make learning through technology more enjoyable and purposeful, coaching football, participating in events such as staff or student talent shows and other parts of school life.