DESS Primary Oud Metha

Tony's journey through DESS Primary began in 2007 and has included six years on the SLT. After earning his degree from the University of London and initially working as a financial planner, his passion for education led him back to university in East Anglia to complete his PGCE (QTS) in Primary Education. His teaching career took root in Guernsey, where he taught across Key Stage 2 and led the P.E. department for six years.

He arrived in Dubai to join DESS Primary in various roles and across several different year groups including Subject Leader, Year Leader, Phase Leader, and Assistant Headteacher. His dedication to professional development was rewarded his successful completion of the ILM Level 3 Workplace Coach qualification and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

Outside school, Tony is committed to staying active and is often seen pounding the streets of Dubai as he attempts to stay fit enough to keep up with his two young boys!

Responsibilities:

• Health and Safety
• Safeguarding
• School Operations
• Maths, Technology and Marketing & Communications

Ruth arrived at DESS in September 2016 as a Year Leader and advanced to the Senior Leadership Team the following year.

Her education journey began with a PGCE from Swansea Metropolitan University, leading her to Bristol to start her teaching career. There, Ruth taught students from Year 2 to Year 6 and gained her SENDCO teacher accreditation. Her commitment to education extended beyond her school, working with the local authority to aid other schools in behaviour management.

In 2014, Ruth grasped an international challenge in Mombasa, Kenya, as Deputy Headteacher, where she was instrumental in implementing the National Curriculum and overhauling the school's reporting and assessment procedures.

Beyond her professional life, Ruth cherishes time with her family and loves to indulge her spirit of adventure with paddle boarding and exploring distant places.

Responsibilities:

• Head of KS2
• Leading on the school Safeguarding, Wellbeing and Inclusion
• Health and Safety and Operations
• Overseeing Islamic

Liz’s DESS Primary journey began in 2008 when she arrived to take on the role of Foundation Stage 2 Year Leader. With her responsibilities expanded to include FS1 in 2014, she became Phase Leader for Foundation Stage and was invited to join the Senior Leadership Team in 2019.

Her career in education began after gaining a BEd honours degree from Plymouth University in 1999. Liz's early teaching experiences were rooted in Devon, to which she dedicated four years before moving into a Senior Leadership position in a Leicestershire village school.

In 2005, Liz's career took an international turn when she moved to Ras Al Khaimah. At the RAK Academy she flourished in the roles of Year One teacher and Year Leader, navigating both the British and IB curricula.

Outside school, Liz enjoys reading and keeping fit.

Responsibilities:

• Head of Foundation Stage and KS1
• Health and Safety and Operations
• Overseeing Arabic
• Overseeing the Medical and Bus Teams

Vic joined DESS in 2019 as the Year Leader for Year 4. Before that she taught across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in a West Midlands local authority primary school, and from there moved into a senior leadership role at an award-winning girls' school in London, where she spearheaded initiatives in Teaching and Learning innovation, SEND and inclusion, and assessment.

Vic's solid academic foundation includes a first-class degree in Early Childhood Studies from the University of Warwick, from where she also was awarded her PGCE.

When not shaping the minds of the future, Vic has a passion for exploring new places, and cherishes every moment with family and friends.

Responsibilities:

• Curriculum
• Assessment for Learning
• Assessment and Reporting
• Overseeing French, DT/STEM and Art

Sam's teaching journey kicked off after completing his English Language degree at Cardiff University and his PGCE at the University of Portsmouth. Initially, he taught in a junior school in Portsmouth, specialising in support for children with social, emotional, and behavioural needs. In 2015, he moved to Dubai, where he has since worked in two primary schools, taking on roles in senior leadership and teaching across Key Stage 2, while leading the Maths and English curriculum.

Outside school, Sam enjoys cooking, keeping fit, and playing sport including football, kitesurfing, and Frisbee.

Responsibilities:

• Emirati Enrichment
• National Agenda
• Overseeing PE, Maths, Science, English, Library and Social Studies