Mr Stephen Quinn
Principal of Horizon International School
Stephen graduated from the University of Manchester (UK) with an Economics BA (Hons) degree. After gaining industry experience, he pursued a BSc (Hons) in Science Education with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
He taught and held leadership positions in private and state schools in Greater Manchester before transitioning to an international career. He served as a Senior Leader at an Outstanding British school in Dubai and later joined HIS as Vice Principal in 2019.
Stephen completed his NPQH and NPQSL facilitation qualifications, gaining expertise in the 11+ curriculum and the English National Curriculum. He prioritises children, firmly believing in giving every child their time to shine.
Mr Peter Bonner
Head of Primary / Whole School Inclusion / Year 1-2 Lead
Peter holds a BSc in Urban Planning, a PGDE in Primary Education and two Master’s degrees in Education, including a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Management. He has also completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and serves as a course facilitator for the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL).
Across his career, Peter has served in a range of roles and locations, with international experience in schools in South Korea, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Prior to joining Horizon International School, he spent nine years at an international school in the UAE, progressing through roles including Form Tutor, Year Leader, Curriculum Coordinator, Assistant Principal and Head of Primary. These experiences have shaped his development-oriented approach to leadership and strengthened his commitment to high-quality teaching and learning, strong school cultures and positive partnerships between schools and families.
Peter believes that every child can succeed when expectations are high and relationships are strong, with support carefully tailored to individual needs. He is passionate about cultivating an environment where children feel safe and valued, while being inspired to learn and develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and character they need to flourish. As Head of Primary at Horizon International School, Peter is committed to building on the school's strong foundations. He looks forward to working collaboratively with students, staff and families to ensure that every child is known, supported and challenged to achieve their very best.
Mr Nic Walters
Head of Secondary
Nic graduated from the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff with a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Physical Education before completing his PGCE in Secondary Physical Education at the same institution. He began his career in the UK as a Sports Lecturer in further education before moving to Dubai in 2011 to pursue opportunities in international education.
With over a decade of leadership experience across international schools and professional networks, Nic has held a range of roles that have shaped his collaborative leadership style and commitment to continuous improvement. Most recently, he served as Vice Principal of Secondary at an international school in Dubai, where he co-led the school through a period of significant growth while maintaining a strong culture, high academic standards and sustained student success. He is passionate about creating personalised pathways that enable every student to flourish, discover their strengths and achieve long-term success.
Nic's leadership is underpinned by a deep commitment to wellbeing and a belief that a school's greatest strength lies in its people. Guided by the values of clarity, compassion and continuous growth, he is dedicated to ensuring that every student is known, supported and inspired to achieve their full potential. As Head of Secondary at Horizon International School, Nic is proud to champion the school's ethos that 'Everyone Counts, Everyone Contributes, Everyone Succeeds', fostering a culture in which every member of the community is empowered to become the very best version of.
Mrs Rebecca Cregan
Assistant Principal / Head of EYFS / Community Cohesion
Rebecca graduated from the University of Central Birmingham (UK) in 2007 with a BA (Hons) degree in Primary Education and QTS.
With over five years of teaching experience in the UK across various year groups, Rebecca has focused on the Early Years Foundation Stage, where she has dedicated 14 years of her career.
At Horizon International School, Rebecca joined as an FS2 teacher in 2012 and progressed to become a Middle Leader, leading the FS2 Team. In September 2019, she became Assistant Principal, overseeing the Foundation Stage, and completed her NPQSL qualification during her time at HIS.
Rebecca envisions every child in the Foundation Stage reaching their full potential through a balanced approach to learning, play, self-assurance, and positive relationships. She aims to foster happy, confident, well-rounded learners who genuinely love education.
Miss Roisin Lyons
Assistant Principal – Primary / Data & Assessment / Year 3-4 Lead
Roisin Lyons graduated with a BA in Economics and Irish from University College Cork in 2010 before completing her PGCE in Primary Education at St Mary’s University, Twickenham in 2011. She began her teaching career in Hounslow, London, where she taught in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 for two years. Working in a school with a significant number of disadvantaged pupils gave Roisin valuable experience in supporting children with diverse needs and helped shape her commitment to inclusion. Alongside her teaching, she also held the role of PE Coordinator.
In 2013, Roisin moved to Dubai where she initially joined an established Outstanding British curriculum school. The following year, she became part of the founding team of a new school within the same group, contributing to its early development and teaching across Key Stage 1. Since then, she has taught primarily in Key Stage 1 and held the role of Progress Leader for eight years across two Dubai schools, leading teams through rapid phases of growth and improvement.
Roisin joined Horizon International School in 2019 as Progress Leader of Year 1 and is now Assistant Principal with responsibility for Year 3 and 4, as well as leading on Primary Data and Assessment. She has also completed the Cognita Aspiring Leadership Programme, further developing her expertise in leadership, curriculum development, and data-informed practice. She has contributed to whole-school initiatives that have supported successful inspection outcomes and played a part in schools’ journeys from ‘Good’ to ‘Very Good’.
Her leadership interests include assessment and data, curriculum clarity, parental engagement, and staff professional development. Roisin is passionate about pupil voice, language development, and fostering strong relationships with children and families. She believes in valuing every child as an individual, understanding their starting points, and ensuring that all learners are given the opportunity to succeed.
Mrs Gabrielle Alexander
Assistant Principal – Primary / Learning & Teaching / Year 5-6 Lead
Gabrielle began her teaching career in the UK and has over a decade of experience in primary education. She holds a Primary PGCE from the UCL Institute of Education, with an additional specialism in Mathematics. Having taught across all primary phases, she has developed as both a highly effective classroom practitioner and an experienced school leader, with expertise in curriculum development, assessment, pedagogy, and raising standards.
Gabrielle has held senior leadership positions since 2020, bringing six years of experience in school leadership and improvement. Prior to joining Horizon International School, she served as Deputy Headteacher in the UK, leading a range of whole-school priorities and working closely with staff, students, and families to secure the best possible outcomes for all learners. She also worked as a School Improvement Lead for a UK academy trust, supporting leaders and schools to strengthen provision and improve outcomes. As part of this role, Gabrielle was Course Lead for a School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programme, working in affiliation with Teach First to train aspiring teachers and support them in achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This further developed her expertise in coaching, professional development, and developing the next generation of teachers.
Gabrielle has significant leadership experience in Key Stage 2 and has led strategic work in curriculum design, assessment, pedagogy, and school improvement. Her leadership has contributed to sustained improvements in outcomes while ensuring that children are supported to develop both academically and personally. She is committed to creating high-quality provision that is ambitious for every child while recognising and responding to individual needs.
Gabrielle joined Horizon International School as Assistant Principal, with responsibility for Years 5 to 6 and a strategic lead role for teaching and learning across the Primary phase. She works closely with colleagues to strengthen classroom practice, develop consistency and ambition across the phase, and foster a culture of collaboration, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
Her leadership interests include pedagogy, curriculum development, assessment, and professional learning. Gabrielle is passionate about creating an inclusive environment where every child feels valued, challenged, and supported to achieve their full potential. She is committed to developing the confidence, skills, and resilience that enable children to thrive both academically and personally, and to preparing them to flourish in an ever-changing world.
Ms Caroline McNamee
Assistant Principal – Secondary / Pastoral Lead / Wellbeing / Whole School DSL
A passionate educator with a deep-rooted commitment to pastoral care and student wellbeing, Caroline graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Queen’s University Belfast, followed by a PGCE in Secondary Education from the University of Sunderland.
Hailing from Ireland, Caroline moved to Dubai in 2016. She has since held a range of key leadership roles across the UAE, including Assistant Headteacher in one setting and Pastoral Leader in an ‘Outstanding’ school, where she helped shape inclusive, aspirational school cultures.
In 2025, Caroline joined Horizon International School as Assistant Principal for Key Stage 3. Her vision is to create a consistent, values-driven environment where every student feels safe, supported, and motivated to achieve their full potential. She is a firm believer in building relational trust, embedding proactive behaviour systems, and working closely with families to nurture confident, resilient learners.
Caroline’s leadership is grounded in the belief that school culture is built through daily habits, clear expectations, and compassionate leadership. Her guiding mantra is simple yet powerful: “Shaping kind young people, ready for the outside world.”
Mrs Kellie Gilhooley
Assistant Principal – Secondary / Learning & Teaching
Kellie is a proficient educator, holding a BA (Hons) degree in English Literature from Liverpool Hope University. Her educational journey continued in her hometown of Manchester, where she earned a PGCE with Qualified Teaching Status in Secondary English. Kellie's dedication to education is underscored by six years of invaluable experience at an Outstanding secondary school in the UK, where she assumed leadership roles within a dynamic English department.
She began a new chapter, exploring international education at Horizon International School in 2019, where Kellie initially contributed as an English teacher. She went on to assume the role of Lead Practitioner, modelling exemplary teaching standards and providing pivotal support for teacher development throughout the school. In 2023, Kellie obtained the position of Secondary Senior Leader with a focus on Teaching and Learning.
Passionate about fostering an environment of continuous improvement, Kellie believes in creating a learning space where both students and teachers can thrive. Her unwavering commitment to educational excellence is evident in her journey and leadership roles, embodying her core belief that every individual within the school community has the potential to excel and flourish.
Mr Zareef Petkar
Assistant Principal – Secondary / Data & Assessment
With a Bachelor's degree in Business Information Technology & Networking, PGCE in Secondary Education and Learning & Teaching, Zareef pursued a Masters in Education with Assessment and Innovative Technologies. Transitioning from roles as Head of Department and Head of Year in the UK, he moved to Dubai in 2018, where he completed his NPQSL.
As Assistant Principal for Data & Assessment, Zareef is dedicated to collaborate with departments to analyse student performance data, identify areas for growth, and implement evidence-based practices to enhance learning outcomes. Zareef's role focuses on promoting a culture of continuous improvement, where assessment data guides instructional decisions and supports student achievement.
Zareef's educational ethos centers on the holistic development of each child, prioritising excellent educational outcomes for all. Grounded in a commitment to nurturing both academic achievement and personal growth, Zareef aims to foster a community of lifelong learners and global citizens.
Mr Andrew Clifford
Assistant Principal – Secondary / Curriculum / National Agenda Parameters
Andrew studied for his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Leeds before completing a PGCE in Secondary Mathematics Education with Teach First and the Institute of Education (UCL).
Prior to teaching, Andrew worked as a professional tennis coach in Cambridgeshire and internationally. He began his career as a teacher in a forward-thinking south London school, with pastoral responsibility within student leadership.
Andrew moved to Dubai in 2016 and has worked at Horizon since, completing 7 and a half years as Head of Secondary Mathematics, overseeing the department’s journey from a rating of Acceptable to Outstanding in both attainment and progress. Having completed his National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) in 2021 which was supplemented by an action research project in the development of students’ metacognitive skills, Andrew moved into the role of Senior Leader at HIS in 2023. Andrew is responsible National Agenda outcomes (encompassing external assessment in Mathematics, Sciences, Reading and Literacy), as well as the design and implementation of curriculum, ensuring that it is suitably adapted to meet the needs of all learners.
Andrew believes that all students deserved to be challenged and supported in the classroom. Students should be questioned and probed to develop depth in their understanding and consistently provided opportunities to explicitly develop their ability to think effectively; for this there is no substitute for exceptional teaching.
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