Senior Leadership Team

Miss Hammond joined Repton Abu Dhabi in 2018 where she managed to secure an outstanding rating and become the first school in Abu Dhabi to achieve outstanding in its first inspection. She moved to Repton Al Barsha as the Interim Principal for one year, whilst the Governors secured new principal, before joining Repton Dubai in August 2023. Prior to her arrival in the UAE seven years ago, Miss Hammond worked in England, leading schools through change management and school improvement priorities. Her specialist subject is Chemistry, and Miss Hammond always steps in to cover lessons and interact with the students at every opportunity.

Her heart is truly in the classroom, ensuring that every child exceeds expectations and face no barriers to ambition or success. She demonstrates an unwavering desire for children to be happy, and their wellbeing is her top priority. Hence, Miss Hammond likes students to have fun while they learn, and she is always the first to join in with dress-up days, sporting events or any exciting activity on campus!

Miss Hammond’s BA Hons. is in Combined Science from the University of Lancaster. She was awarded her National Professional Qualification in Headship in 2005 from the University of Manchester.

Outside of school life, Miss Hammond enjoys skiing and travelling to far-flung destinations. In July 2024, she accompanied four Y12 Emirati students to Space Camp in the USA, after working closely with the Endeavour Scholarship Foundation. Miss Hammond recently adopted a rescue dog called Willow, who has become her personal fitness trainer, with long walks and runs every day!

Miss Hammond’s favourite book is ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ by Bonnie Garmus.

Mrs Samantha Steed has spent her 25-year career working in Primary education in the UK, Dubai, and Hong Kong. She has substantial expertise in the Early Years (EYFS) and is a qualified Transformational Coach. She has held the title of Headteacher for 16 years across four junior schools attaining Outstanding status for leadership, teaching and learning and student well-being.

Mrs Steed trained as a Primary School Teacher at the well renowned Froebel College, which is now part of the University of Surrey. She subsequently completed a Master’s in Education (with Distinction) at the University of Winchester in the U.K. Focused on meeting the needs of every student, Mrs Steed prioritises engaging and accessible learning opportunities. With an eye firmly fixed on the planet’s future, she drives a culture of innovation, sustainability and problem-solving. Through a rigorous approach to the core subjects as well as the expressive arts and sports, Mrs Steed ensures that every child knows their strengths and areas to develop.

Mrs Annette Drake is a passionate advocate of positive education and wellbeing coaching for young people. A senior leader for 15 years, Mrs Drake has significant experience in school leadership having undertaken various roles including Head of Year, Head of Key Stage 4 and Head of English.

Graduating from Cardiff University with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Mrs Drake remains an avid reader, committed to nurturing a lifelong love of reading in students. As a trained coach, she has enjoyed key roles in training new teachers in the UK and chairing a ‘Women in Leadership’ project in West Berkshire. She also continues to enjoy professional learning through her NPQH qualification and academic reading. Mrs Drake aims to inspire students to believe in themselves so that they can pursue their dreams with the dedication and character required to do so, meaningfully contributing to their community and shaping their world for the better.

Miss Natalie Walsh embarked on her academic journey at Durham University, where she earned her Primary Education Degree with QTS. During this time, Miss Walsh fostered a commitment to the intellectual growth and development of young minds. She continued her studies to pursue a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Learning at the University of Oxford. Here she delved into advanced pedagogical techniques and educational theory, honing her skills as an educator and gaining valuable insights into the art of teaching.

Over the course of a decade, she held various senior leadership positions in different educational institutions in the UK including as a Head of Pre-Prep and Head of Lower School. In pursuit of new challenges and experiences, Miss Walsh made a significant move two years ago when she decided to relocate to Dubai, joining Repton School, Dubai.

Ms. Sarah Estebanez, an English teacher is incredibly passionate about innovative and co-constructive teaching and learning strategies. After graduating from Leeds University with a Master’s degree in English, she worked as an English teacher in London and Leeds before moving to Repton Dubai. Her aim has always been to inspire in her students a love of learning, a sense of their place in the world, and a commitment to personal integrity. With over 17 years of teaching experience, Ms. Estebanez is now Deputy Head of School Improvement, focusing on improving Arabic and Islamic provision across the school.

Ms. Estebanez is an ex Olympic synchronised swimmer and loves to coach the sport in her spare time. She is also an avid reader, and her favourite book is ‘The Name of the Rose’ by Umberto Eco because it serves as a wonderful reminder of the indelible impact one teacher can have on a student’s life.

andrew.durcan@reptondubai.org

Mr. Andrew Durcan has been a resident of Dubai since 2019, where he lives with his wife, who works in the Junior Phase, and their two daughters, who also attend Repton. With over 20 years of experience in the education sector, Mr. Durcan’s journey began in the UK, where his dedication to teaching and learning propelled him to become an outstanding practitioner. He subsequently advanced to middle leadership roles and now holds more than a decade of senior leadership experience. His educational qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts with Honors (BAC Hons) in English and Sport Science, followed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) specialising in Secondary English teaching. Currently, he is in the process of completing the NPQH qualification. Mr. Durcan has earned a Postgraduate Certificate and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Mr Durcan is deeply passionate about leading teams and enhancing the performance of every individual. His approach centres on key performance criteria and inspiring others to recognise the profound impact that research, training, and development have on improving the lives of young people.

Mr. Lewis Rattray joined Repton Dubai in 2018 to take up position as Head of History, having previously been a Head of History and Boarding Housemaster in a private school in the UK. He has been teaching for 13 years and in his time at Repton he has held responsibilities as the Head of Humanities, Head of Jumeirah House and the Duke of Edinburgh coordinator and has recently been appointed as Deputy Head Academic in the Senior School. He passionately believes in inspiring teaching and learning and active and collaborative classrooms.

Mr. Rattray hails from Scotland and graduated twice from the University of Aberdeen with an MA (Hons) and an MLitt before going on to complete his PGDE at the University of Edinburgh. A passionate historian, Mr. Rattray is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries for Scotland and is a specialist in 17th Century History.

Mr. Charles Jacques completed a BA (Hons) in Physical Education with QTS before embarking on his teaching career in September 2000 at a leading independent school in the United Kingdom. Whilst in the UK, Mr Jacques gained valuable experience and held the positions of Director of Sport and Head of House before moving to join Repton Dubai in 2013.

Mr. Jacques is passionate about educating the ‘whole child’ and providing a balanced and broad curriculum. He believes that the pastoral care system underpins all aspects of school life and that if children are happy and enjoy school, they will flourish. As the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the Junior Phase the welfare of all children is of the utmost importance to Mr. Jacques. He firmly believes that every child deserves a champion and has the right to an education regardless of the circumstances they find themselves in.

Mrs Jacqueline Lee graduated with a B.Ed.(Hons) in Physical Education and Science in 1997 and as such, is an experienced Physical Education teacher with a passion for all sports and Sports Science. She has generated a love of teaching examination PE with Science at IB alongside working within pastoral care for the last 14 years.

She has held middle and senior leadership positions for the last 20 years, currently being Assistant Head Pastoral, and is passionate about the development and personal growth of the whole child. Jacqueline works alongside the Heads of Year to ensure children come to school feeling, happy, safe, secure and achieve a sense of fulfilment in their educational journey at Repton.

Mr. Christopher Birch graduated from Roehampton University, London, with a BA (Hons) in Primary Education with English Specialism in 2008. Over the past 16 years, Mr. Birch has gained substantial experience in teaching as well as in Middle and Senior Leadership roles. He has a comprehensive understanding of data management and assessment systems. He has led various curriculum initiatives, particularly in Maths, Gifted and Talented Education, Humanities, and Sustainability. Recently, he completed his NPQ qualification in Senior Leadership and plans to pursue a Master’s in Educational Leadership in the future.

Mr. Birch is dedicated to exploring effective teaching methodologies and has conducted extensive professional studies in this field. His philosophy centres around the idea that student well-being is crucial to academic success and overall development. Joining the Repton community, Mr. Birch is eager to engage in an educational setting that emphasises holistic development. Repton’s dedication to academic excellence, personal growth, and innovative learning opportunities resonates with his commitment to fostering all aspects of students’ potential.

Mr. Drake is an experienced teacher of Physical Education and Geography. Having grown up in Brixham, Devon, Mr. Drake moved to Plymouth to complete a BEd in Physical Education and Geography at the University of St, Mark and St. John. Having represented Devon at Football, Basketball and Golf, Mr. Drake actively shares his love of all sports with students. Since leaving University in 2002, Mr. Drake has worked in a variety of schools in West Berkshire where he took on a role as a Head of Physical Education.

Mr. Drake moved to Dubai with Mrs. Drake and their young family in 2016 and has been at Repton ever since. Having spent the first two years as the Head of Football, Mr. Drake moved into the role of Head of Year in 2018. Mr. Drake is excited to lead the KS3 pastoral team this term as part of the leadership team. Outside of school Mr. Drake loves to travel with his family and spends his spare time playing golf.

Mrs Abeeda Makda has been a dedicated member of the Repton family since 2012 and is joined by her two sons, as members of the Reptonian education and community. Her role as both a parent and staff member lends invaluable experience to her existing role, allowing an insightful approach when guiding parents and teachers. Holding a range of positions as a middle leader and senior leader within the team has allowed Abeeda to impact Inclusion at every facet. Abeeda completed her teaching degree with the University of Nottingham and joined Repton as part of the Junior Phase team in Year 3, before moving to work in the Inclusion department. Abeeda gained further qualifications in SEND at Masters level, before moving on to completing her TESOL/TEFL accreditations, further leading to completing her National Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) Award from the University of Middlesex.

Abeeda is incredibly passionate about her role and is dedicated to ensure that students receive a personalised learning experience that enables them to be successful in all areas of the curriculum.

Mr Sean Wright has worked in education for over 13 years; 9 of which have been in middle and senior leadership roles in the UK and UAE. Sean joined Repton Dubai in 2019 as the Senior School Head of Inclusion and later became a member of the Senior School Leadership Team as the Director of Inclusion and Inclusion Champion. In his 13 years in education, Sean’s previous roles include teacher of Science and PE, and middle leadership positions as Head of Key Stage and Designated Safeguarding Lead.​

Sean graduated with BSc (Hons) in Sports Science from the University of Suffolk. Later, he graduated from Anglia Ruskin University as a teacher of Secondary Science before completing his National Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) Award from the University of Hertfordshire. Most recently, Sean gained TEFL & TESOL qualifications to teach English as a foreign language.

stephanie.pride@reptondubai.org

Ms. Stephanie Pride has been in education for eighteen years, sixteen of which have been in middle and senior leadership roles in the UK. She graduated with BSc (Hons) in Sport and Physical Education from the University of Wales, followed by a PGCE in Secondary PE and has taught in State and Independent schools as well as working within the Charity sector.

Stephanie brings a breadth of experience from leading schools in Academic, Co-curricular, Sport, and Safeguarding roles. Her work within female health over the last two years led her to host an international conference on female health in education and be the first to bring a research-driven female focused educational blueprint to a co-educational school. She is passionate about wellbeing and life beyond the classroom and its power to develop pupils’ self- esteem, friendships and lifelong passions.

Mrs. Leanne Galloway has been in education for eighteen years, thirteen of which were in Middle and Senior Leadership roles in the UK and Asia. She graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Law from the University of Exeter, followed by a PGCE in Early Years. Leanne has taught in both State and Independent schools and has also worked freelance as an early years’ consultant and Ofsted inspector.

She brings a wealth of experience from leading large early settings catering to children as young as 18 months old, to supporting different settings as a School Improvement Partner. Her work has involved collaborating with numerous early years’ providers to drive rapid improvement. Leanne is a frequent guest speaker and presenter for companies specializing in professional development for teachers and early years practitioners. She is passionate about early childhood development and takes great joy in creating nurturing environments where children can play and learn.

Mr Matthew Whittaker was born in Yorkshire, UK, and holds a Master’s degree in Business. Having completed a PGCE in Secondary Education, he worked for several years at The Ecclesbourne School, one of the highest achieving schools in Derbyshire. Throughout his fourteen-year teaching career, both in the UK and internationally, Matthew has held a range of leadership posts including Head of Business and Economics at an Outstanding school in Esher, Surrey.

As Head of Post -16 at a British school in Dubai he introduced academic pathways, established enrichment opportunities, and guided students through the university application process. Matthew has a keen and avid interest in travel, much of which was inspired whilst leading an Erasmus project around Europe. He was awarded his NPQSL from UCL Institute of Education in 2021 and is very much looking forward to further developing the Sixth Form provision at Repton School Dubai this academic year.