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.
Mrs Rebecca Cregan
Assistant Principal / Head of EYFS
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 Amanda Buckley
Assistant Principal KS1 Leader / Whole School Inclusion
Amanda holds a BSc (Hons) in Human Sciences from the University of Sussex and a subsequent PGCE in Primary Education, which she completed in 2011 at the University of Manchester. Whilst studying, Amanda completed placements in Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale. In 2015, Amanda completed a NaSENCo Award, which qualifies her to lead the provision of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. In 2021, she completed her National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) while working in Dubai.
Following the completion of her PGCE, Amanda worked as a teacher in Oldham, UK in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 at a school with a significant number of disadvantaged pupils. She remained there for five years and became the school's SENCo, working closely with the pastoral team. This is where Amanda's passion for Inclusive Education and well-being began. In 2016, Amanda moved to Dubai and worked as a Head of Inclusion and Assistant Principal at another British curriculum school, where she worked for three years. Amanda then joined Horizon International School in 2019 as an Assistant Principal responsible for Inclusion, Safeguarding, and Key Stage 1.
Amanda is passionate about inclusive education and believes all children deserve access to a well-planned, suitably challenging curriculum. She also loves working within Key Stage 1, where the teachers work tirelessly to ensure that the lessons are exciting and that children have awe-inspiring hooks into their learning. Amanda believes that, first and foremost, children need to feel happy, safe and comfortable when they walk into their classroom to be empowered to use their mistakes as learning opportunities.
Mr Liam Gilhooley
Assistant Principal KS2 Leader / Learning and Teaching
Liam is a passionate educator who graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with first class honours in Primary Education.
He has taught at Horizon International School since his move to Dubai in 2019 and held a number of leadership positions during his time there. Fostering an environment in which students are inspired to explore, challenge themselves, and develop the skills needed to thrive when faced with the diverse challenges of tomorrow is central to Liam’s identity as an educator.
In his capacity as Assistant Principal, Liam is responsible for ensuring that all students experience the truly outstanding quality of teaching and learning that they deserve. By championing a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, he aims to empower both students and educators in seeing that happen.
Mrs Nicola Peacock
Assistant Principal / Secondary Standards and Outcomes
Nicola holds a BSc in Psychology & Health Science (Hons) from the University of the West of England. She completed her PGCE (English) at the University of Bristol and recently finished an MSc in Child & Adolescent Mental Health at the University of Northampton.
Before teaching, Nicola worked in banking and at the University of Bristol. She taught English and Psychology in Bristol and held a Head of English position. In the UAE, Nicola served in leadership roles in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, focusing on holistic student development.
Nicola believes in equipping students with the skills needed for an evolving 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 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.
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.
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