Our Team

My name is Mr. Gary Williams, and I am honoured to introduce myself as the Vice Principal of The Hope English School. I bring with me more than twenty-five years of teaching experience and fifteen years as a senior leader across both the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. My academic background includes a B.Ed (Hons) in Physical Education and ICT, a master’s degree in education with a focus on Leadership and Management, and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). These qualifications have shaped my leadership vision, strengthened my understanding of school improvement, and deepened my commitment to delivering a world-class education for every child.

My career began in the heart of inner-city London, where I worked in some of the most diverse and socially challenging communities, including Tottenham, Wembley, and the London Borough of Brent. These areas, known for their socio-economic challenges, offered me some of the most transformative experiences of my professional life. Working with children from disadvantaged backgrounds taught me the true meaning and purpose of education: to lift aspirations, close gaps, build resilience, and offer every child the chance to thrive regardless of their circumstances. It was in these early years that I developed my belief that education is a powerful tool for change and that schools must serve as safe, supportive, and inspiring environments where students feel valued and capable.

As an educator and senior leader, I have always been deeply committed to building strong relationships with students, parents, and staff. I believe that trust, transparency, and communication form the core of a healthy school community. Over the years, I have seen how meaningful relationships can transform behaviour, improve academic outcomes, and create a sense of belonging. I aim to be a leader who is approachable, understanding, and present in the daily life of the school. I want students to feel comfortable speaking to me, sharing their ideas, and seeking support whenever needed. When students know they are valued, they confidently take risks, work hard, and challenge themselves to do better.

Working across two countries has allowed me to develop a rich, international perspective on education. In the UAE, I have had the privilege of contributing to school improvement and supporting diverse student populations. I have worked alongside talented educators and visionary leaders who share a commitment to excellence, inclusion, and innovation. These experiences have strengthened my understanding of cultural diversity and global citizenship values that I strive to embed within the school environment.

I am committed to ensuring that students develop essential life skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, leadership, teamwork, communication, independence, and digital awareness. These skills equip them for future study, employment, and citizenship. I also believe that children should be encouraged to develop kindness, empathy, respect, and responsibility, as these values form the foundation of positive character. Education that nurtures both the mind and the heart enables young people to become well-rounded individuals who contribute meaningfully to society.

As Vice Principal of The Hope English School, my vision is to contribute to a school community that is driven by excellence, compassion, and shared aspiration. I aim to support our teachers, collaborate with our senior leadership team, and strengthen our partnership with parents. Together, we will continue to improve academic outcomes, enhance the quality of teaching and learning, and promote a vibrant school culture where children feel proud to belong. I believe that with clear expectations, consistent routines, and a strong sense of purpose, a school can achieve remarkable progress.

I am passionate about contributing to the continued development of The Hope English School, ensuring that it becomes a place where students are inspired to learn, challenged to grow, and encouraged to dream. My promise is to lead with integrity, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to student success. I am excited about the journey ahead and proud to be part of a school community that prioritises happiness, growth, and opportunity for all.

Ms. Mercy Bhagyam is a dedicated Primary Head Teacher with over 20 years of experience in education. I am passionate about nurturing young minds and creating a positive, inclusive learning environment where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to succeed. I firmly believes that each learner is unique and can achieve excellence with the right guidance, encouragement, and opportunities.

Throughout my career, i have completed a range of professional development programmes in leadership, child-centred learning, and curriculum development. My teaching philosophy focuses on fostering curiosity, building confidence, and supporting holistic development in every student.

As a school leader, I works collaboratively with teachers, parents, and the wider community to promote academic achievement, strong character, and meaningful values. I am committed to cultivating creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. Outside of school, I enjoys reading, gardening, music, and community service, and continues to grow through learning.

Maha Iskandarani is an experienced primary education specialist with extensive professional experience across diverse school settings and curricula within the United Arab Emirates. She has strong expertise in Arabic language instruction, Islamic Education, and curriculum development aligned with the UAE national educational standards. Her professional practice is grounded in evidence-based pedagogy, with a particular focus on literacy development, differentiated instruction, and assessment for learning. Maha has designed and implemented structured reading intervention plans, attainment trackers, and formative and summative assessment tools to support diverse learners, including non-native Arabic speakers. She demonstrates advanced competence in applying Bloom’s Taxonomy to formulate measurable learning outcomes and to design instructional activities that promote higher-order thinking skills. In addition to her classroom practice, Maha contributes to teacher professional development through the development of instructional resources, lesson models, and practical training materials. Her academic interests include action research, data-informed instruction, reflective teaching methodologies, and the continuous improvement of instructional quality to enhance student learning outcomes in primary education.

I am a passionate educational leader with over 22 years of experience dedicated to early childhood and primary education. My role is to nurture the academic, social, and emotional development of our youngest learners at The Hope English School.

With a Master’s in Educational Leadership and key international certifications, I am committed to fostering inclusive, stimulating, and safe environments. My approach combines innovative, cross-curricular teaching with strong pastoral care and data-informed practices to ignite a lifelong love of learning.

With a Master’s in Educational Leadership and key international certifications, I am committed to fostering inclusive, stimulating, and safe environments. My approach combines innovative, cross-curricular teaching with strong pastoral care and data-informed practices to ignite a lifelong love of learning.