Louise Ford, Head of Senior School, RGS Guildford Dubai
With over a decade of leadership experience in Dubai, Louise Ford brings a wealth of educational and contextual understanding to her role as Head of Senior. Being instrumental in the exponential growth and popularity of a leading Dubai school, Louise has experience of building and maintaining a school’s reputation and culture, providing clear vision and direction for the whole school community.
Holding a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from UCL and having been awarded her NPQH Qualification in 2021, Louise is well placed to lead and maintain the academic excellence associated with the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD). Graduating from the University of Wales, Swansea, with a History Degree in 2000, Louise worked in TV and Radio before following in her family’s footsteps and pursuing a career in education. With over 20 years of teaching experience in the UK, USA, and the UAE, Louise has excellent and wide-ranging curriculum knowledge, coupled with extensive pastoral experience in her role leading a large, ‘outstanding’ Sixth Form.
As RGSGD senior school grows into Year 9, the school is delighted to announce that it will offer a breadth of IGCSE and GCSE subject options; Art & Design, Computer Science, Dance, Design Technology, Music, Drama, Economics, Physical Education, Food Technology, Geography, History, Islamic Studies, MSC, French, Spanish, Latin and Mandarin alongside the core curriculum subjects of English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry & Combined Science.
Clare Turnbull, Principal of RGS Guildford Dubai, expressed her delight in the new appointment: “We are absolutely thrilled to announce the appointment of our new Head of Senior School at RGSGD. In welcoming Louise Ford, we are embracing not only her wealth of experience but also her profound understanding of the Dubai educational landscape. Louise offers a fresh perspective and a steadfast dedication to delivering a world-class learning experience for our pupils. We are confident that under her leadership, the Senior School will flourish, and our pupils will continue to thrive academically, emotionally and socially.”
Charlotte Grieves, who has served as Deputy Head of Prep at RGSGD since August 2022, will step into the promoted role of Head of Prep. An instrumental part of the leadership team at the school, Charlotte was a former leader of an accredited world-class school in Dubai and has been committed to delivering high-performance teaching for more than 17 years, having taught in three outstanding rated schools across the UAE.
Passionate about pupil wellbeing, Charlotte is a leader who believes that every child deserves the absolute best in education and immerses every one of her pupils in a motivating and enriching learning environment, from the minute they walk through the school gates. In her role as Head of Prep School at RGSGD, Charlotte will ensure that the school builds on its success, driving innovative practices and guiding pupils towards becoming well-rounded, kind, young people, whilst nurturing a learning environment that is both challenging and supportive.
Commenting on Charlotte’s appointment, Clare Turnbull added: “Charlotte Grieves’ unwavering dedication, passion and exemplary commitment to our pupil’s wellbeing and academic rigour, has proven to be an invaluable asset to RGS Guildford Dubai. I am delighted that she will be stepping into the role of Head of Prep, taking the school to new heights.”