SENIOR LEADERSHIP

Ms Gemma Thornley joined the Arbor School as Principal in August 2024. Originally from Hertfordshire in the UK, her teaching foundations are in English and the Performing Arts.  With over 20 years of experience in educational leadership in both the UK and the UAE, Gemma has played pivotal roles in outstanding schools in Dubai. She holds an MSc in Educational Leadership from the University of Leicester and is currently pursuing her PhD with the University of Buckingham, focused on the global recruitment and retention crisis of teachers, underscoring her commitment to evidence-based educational practices.  Gemma also has the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT).  

At the Arbor School, Gemma is dedicated to promoting ecological and environmental education, sustainability, and the holistic development of students. Her leadership is characterised by developing inclusive and nurturing environments that support academic excellence and student empowerment. Gemma advocates for integrating social enterprise and encouraging curiosity through innovative curriculum design, preparing students to address global challenges effectively. 

Gemma’s approach to leadership includes a strong emphasis on developing student agency and ethical leadership, striving to create a school community where each individual thrives on mutual respect and understanding. Her proven ability to lead schools towards excellence and her commitment to continuous improvement make her a valuable addition to the educational landscape. 

In her spare time, Gemma loves to sing and dance, with musical theatre being top of the list.  She also enjoys spending time with her husband who is also a teacher and their rescue cat and dog, Salem and Winston.  

Frances Powell joined the Arbor School as the inaugural Head of Secondary after fourteen years of experience internationally here in Dubai as well as South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UK. Frances ensures a strong focus on values-based education balancing high academic expectations alongside wellbeing remaining at the very core of school life. She believes a school leader must lead with integrity and develop relationships across the school community based on trust and mutual respect.  

Frances’ educational philosophy is that a school should nurture compassionate, principled and globally minded citizens. Her focus is on embedding programmes and structures to enable students to flourish socially and emotionally, alongside her drive in ensuring high academic attainment for all, and her strategic insight into preparing students to make their mark on the world confidently and successfully. Originally hailing from England, Ms Powell received a First-Class Honours degree in English from the University of Leicester and went on to complete her PGCE and Masters of Education at the University of Cambridge. A true believer in life-long learning, she has also completed a diploma in Psychology on establishing positive education models and an NPQSL qualification developed support frameworks to ensure all students can aspire to greatness and thrive. Frances is also a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. Over the years Frances has presented on her specialisms of wellbeing, positive psychology and service learning internationally as well as leading workshops supporting women in leadership and gender equality.  

Frances lives in Dubai with her husband who runs his own education-based business. A keen sportsperson, she enjoys playing competitive sport of any kind and gym-based workouts. She loves the outdoor life, embracing all Dubai has to offer with its beaches, running paths, cycle trails and wadis. As a true literature specialist Frances also enjoys reading fiction and non-fiction books, educational research and leadership texts. 

After earning a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Primary Education with a specialisation in Maths and IT, Kathryn Keeshan began her teaching career in Ealing, West London.  

Over the years, she has led departments in English, Maths, Assessment, and Humanities, contributing to the school’s academic success, additionally she was recognised as Leading Maths Teacher within the borough of Ealing. She has also taken on a variety of leadership roles such as Head of Key Stage, and an Assistant Headteacher at Notting Hill and Ealing Independent Day School for Girls. 

Kathryn’s commitment to educational excellence led her to complete a Master’s Degree in Education with a focus on School Improvement at St Mary’s University, London. Her research into best practice was recognised with being awarded a Scholarship for Best Practice from the Department for Education and Skills. She further enhanced her leadership capabilities by completing the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders and has trained as a school inspector and coach. 

In 2013, Kathryn relocated to Dubai with her family, where she has continued to build her career in international education. She has led two Outstanding-rated schools as Headteacher and was the founding Headteacher of another highly successful institution. Her passion lies in curriculum design and innovative teaching approaches that inspire students to achieve their best. 

As a mother of three, Kathryn brings a deep understanding of both the educational and personal aspects of school life. She was drawn to the Arbor School, due to its forward-thinking approach that blends environmental sustainability with academic rigor. Kathryn is deeply committed to fostering a strong sense of community within the school, ensuring that every student, parent, and staff member feels valued and supported. She looks forward to welcoming students and their families to a school environment where learning is rooted in responsibility, mindfulness, growth, and a true community spirit. 

Rachel is the creator and champion of Arbor School’s Thrive programme that is regionally recognised for its innovative approach to inclusion and student wellbeing. Throughout her twelve years in Dubai, Rachel has influenced practice across the region, establishing networks and being a thought leader and presenter at professional gatherings and conferences. She is passionate about ensuring that every child has equitable access to quality learning opportunities and believes that everyone has a part to play in each other’s success. She sees parallels between neurodiversity and biodiversity, and believes that understanding and respecting each of these is central to community and ecological sustainability,  

After completing her bachelor’s in education degree, Rachel started her teaching career in London, where she worked in mainstream and special needs schools. She was later seconded to the local authority, where she led school improvement projects including the introduction of specialist services aimed at providing outstanding resource provision in mainstream schools across the London’s borough of Waltham Forest. 

Rachel has earned postgraduate qualifications in Autism, SEND and Positive Education, and is a registered assessor with the British Psychological Society. As a strong believer in research-informed innovation, Rachel has participated in international review projects in Finland and Australia. 

Rachel moved to Dubai with her husband in 2012 and enjoys travelling the world and collecting interesting artifacts and pictures. As an avid subscriber to online courses, she enjoys new learning opportunities and exploring different interests and is currently interested in developing her cooking skills and practical applications of emerging ideas in psychology and artificial intelligence.