Bloom World Academy, the family-first IB curriculum school that dares to do things differently, has announced the appointment of its Senior Leadership team ahead of its launch in Dubai this August.
The incredible response of applications from more than 8,000 teachers around the world highlights how the school’s quest to break the mould in education with its progressive way of thinking is supported and believed in by educators near and far.
Joining the school in August and integral to bringing to life the school’s values and beliefs within its founding families are Nicola Upham who has been appointed as Vice-Principal of Student Development, Damien Marshall who will take on the role of Vice-Principal of the Primo Centre and Junior School and Nishi Saran, who has been appointed as Senior Vice-Principal to lead the Secondary School and Nexus Pre-University Centre.
Founding Principal and Senior Educationalist, John Bell, commented: “The response we’ve had to the school’s recruitment drive is incredible and shows just how far Bloom World Academy’s message has spread. It also shows how teachers around the world want to be a part of our new way of thinking. We’ve had every type of teacher from every continent apply to become a part of our movement and the interest we’ve seen shows the need for a school to break the mould and harness a progressive way of thinking to do things differently in education.
Incredible response of applications from more than 8,000 teachers around the world
“The senior leadership team are not only highly experienced educators, but they possess a unique drive to change the face of education by creating a school environment that really does put its students first.”
Joining the school as Vice-Principal of Student Development, Nicola Upham has more than 18 years of teaching experience and ten years’ experience as a Senior Leader in both UK and Dubai based schools. In her most recent role in Dubai as whole school inclusion, safeguarding and well-being lead, Nicola introduced well-being lessons as part of the curriculum, which resulted in the school’s climate being highlighted as a strength in the BSO outstanding rating. Before moving to Dubai in 2018, she was an integral part of the transformational leadership team at Hammersmith Academy in the UK, an Inner London Academy that has been nationally recognised for highly effective well-being initiatives. In her role at Bloom World Academy, Nicola will put student well-being at the forefront of everything the school does to allow for the rollout of personalised curriculums which will promote the discovery and celebration of each student’s unique talents. Her leadership will also ensure that the school has the ideal components needed for each student to reach their full potential and personal goals.
“The response we’ve had to the school’s recruitment drive is incredible and shows just how far Bloom World Academy’s message has spread”
Damien Marshall will join the school in August as Vice-Principal of the Primo Centre and Junior School, bringing with him 15 years’ experience in the education sector which includes nine years in the United Arab Emirates. Damien has extensive experience in the IB curriculum through his previous role as a Senior Leader at a well-established IB school in Dubai and as Head of Digital Learning for a large UAE-based educational group. Damien has a Master’s in Educational Leadership, as well as expertise in educational assessment, digital learning, and educational policy and has a proven track record in developing and overseeing programmes and initiatives within schools to improve teaching, learning and student well-being. Passionate about developing strong relationships between students, parents and teachers, Damien will play an integral part in developing Bloom World Academy’s family-first approach.
Having worked in education for over 20 years across Canada, the UK and the UAE, Nishi Saran has been appointed as Senior Vice-Principal of Secondary School and the Nexus Pre-University Centre, bringing a rich secondary school experience in the British, IB and American/AP curriculums to his role. Nishi has diverse leadership experience that includes a Master’s in Education with expertise in independent learning and senior leadership experience in British, IB and American curriculums schools, as well as inspectorate work and consultancy to the Crown Prince Court, Education Strategic Office (Abu Dhabi) where he project managed a nationwide initiative. He is regularly recognised for his exceptionally dynamic, caring and proactive leadership approach and will be an integral part of helping Bloom World Academy develop personalised student-centred pathways so all learners aspire to reach their chosen university or career ambitions. Nishi’s work beyond the school setting stretches to philanthropic initiatives and governance and mentorship within the UAE Oxbridge Society, all of which are highly valued at Bloom World Academy. Bloom World Academy will open the doors for Pre-KG to Grade 9 students at its state-of-the-art campus in Al Barsha in August 2022.