Meet our leadership team

Gillian earned a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Science from Lancaster University in 2000, an institution internationally renowned for excellence in research, and consistently ranked among the UK’s top 10 universities. With extensive experience in educational leadership, Gillian previously served as the Chief Education Officer of Excella and Principal at three Repton schools. She proudly played a pivotal role in leading Repton Abu Dhabi and Repton Dubai to achieve Outstanding ratings from ADEK and DSIB, respectively. Known for her optimistic, collaborative, and fun-loving leadership style, she balances a firm-but-fair approach with a strong belief in fostering an engaging and supportive school environment. Gillian is deeply committed to providing a world-class education for every child and passionately advocates for a lifelong, hands-on learning philosophy, inspiring Aspen Heights students to love coming to school every day. Beyond her professional life, Gillian enjoys hiking, swimming, skiing, and is an avid reader of crime fiction.

Amie grew up in the county of Devon, England, where her love for working with children first began. She went on to study a Bachelor of Education in Primary Education at the University of Gloucestershire, a university well known for its focus on teacher training. Amie has been teaching for nearly 10 years now. She spent three of those in the UK before moving to Aspen Heights British School, where she continues to do what she loves - ensuring children love school. She's passionate about building positive relationships with children, families, and staff, and she loves being in the classroom, supporting children as they learn and grow. When she left the UK, Amie spent almost a year travelling to lots of different countries and has kept that love for adventure going ever since. Outside of school, she enjoys playing padel tennis, spending time with friends, and getting creative in art classes. She also loves being out on the water, whether it’s paddle boarding or learning how to wakesurf, she’s always up for trying something new.

With over 16 years of teaching experience and five years in educational leadership, Eldesouki is deeply committed to inspiring students to embrace and express a love for the Arabic language. A graduate of the Faculty of Education and a licensed school leader, Mr. Eldesouki also teaches International Baccalaureate (IB) students, fostering global-mindedness through the study of language and culture.

Ms. Haya is an Arabic language teacher for both native and non-native speakers, with over 12 years of experience in the field of education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education, a Diploma in Educational Qualification, and a Transitional License from Abu Dhabi. She currently serves as the Primary Arabic Lead for KS1 and teaches Arabic to both native and non-native learners.

Ms. Haya is deeply passionate about empowering learners and placing them at the center of the educational process, believing that every student has their own unique path to discovering knowledge. With inspiration and enthusiasm, she strives to instill a love for the Arabic language and its culture through interactive and inquiry-based learning experiences that make lessons both engaging and memorable. Drawing on her extensive experience in teaching and leadership, she is dedicated to creating a warm, motivating classroom environment that encourages participation and creative thinking, while nurturing students’ confidence, curiosity, and deep respect for cultural diversity.

Zoe began working with children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) at the age of 17 in a specialist centre in Wales, an experience that sparked her passion for inclusive education. She completed a PGCE in Primary Education with a SEND specialism and began her teaching career in Kuwait before moving to the UAE in 2023. She is currently the EYFS/KS1 Inclusion Lead and the Oasis Red class teacher at Aspen. She firmly believes that with the right support, every child can thrive—and that for some children, reaching even the smallest milestone is a truly significant achievement. Her approach is centred around meeting each child’s unique needs and celebrating progress at every step. Outside the classroom, she is adventurous and loves to travel, often drawing inspiration from new cultures and experiences to enrich her teaching.

Ms Tilly was born in England and holds a BSc in Psychology and an MSc in Clinical Psychology and Mental Health from Swansea University. She specialises in SEND teaching and works as a KS4/5 Inclusion Teacher, as well as teaching GCSE Psychology. She is passionate about supporting students to reach their full potential and is enthusiastic about the inclusive milestones that Abu Dhabi continues to implement. Having moved to the UAE at the age of 14, she has enjoyed building her career in education here. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, eating out at restaurants, and spending time with her dog.

Gillian earned a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Science from Lancaster University in 2000, an institution internationally renowned for excellence in research, and consistently ranked among the UK’s top 10 universities. With extensive experience in educational leadership, Gillian previously served as the Chief Education Officer of Excella and Principal at three Repton schools. She proudly played a pivotal role in leading Repton Abu Dhabi and Repton Dubai to achieve Outstanding ratings from ADEK and DSIB, respectively. Known for her optimistic, collaborative, and fun-loving leadership style, she balances a firm-but-fair approach with a strong belief in fostering an engaging and supportive school environment. Gillian is deeply committed to providing a world-class education for every child and passionately advocates for a lifelong, hands-on learning philosophy, inspiring Aspen Heights students to love coming to school every day. Beyond her professional life, Gillian enjoys hiking, swimming, skiing, and is an avid reader of crime fiction.

Ms Tilly was born in England and holds a BSc in Psychology and an MSc in Clinical Psychology and Mental Health from Swansea University. She specialises in SEND teaching and works as a KS4/5 Inclusion Teacher, as well as teaching GCSE Psychology. She is passionate about supporting students to reach their full potential and is enthusiastic about the inclusive milestones that Abu Dhabi continues to implement. Having moved to the UAE at the age of 14, she has enjoyed building her career in education here. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, eating out at restaurants, and spending time with her dog.