Our Team

Colin joined UIS as Principal in August 2023 after enjoying 2 years as Vice Principal and Head of Secondary at Taaleem’s Greenfield International School. He was integral to the elevation in the school’s KHDA overall evaluation and in registering amongst the best IB DP results in Taaleem’s history.

Originally from Scotland, Colin has led schools (as Principal or Head of Secondary) for the last 13 years and has been instrumental in delivering school improvement, particularly with respect to exam results and student outcomes. The upshot has been record attainment in each of the schools that he has worked within. A real trademark of his career.

Colin began his teaching career as a teacher of History and Humanities at the Trinity Academy in Scotland. He then moved to Lasswade School in Scotland where he received his first promotion to become Head of the Humanities Department for the next 6 years. His department had the top performing student in the entire country for two years in a row. Thereafter, he became a Deputy Head at the same school with the responsibility for curriculum, learning, teaching and assessment.

During this time, he also worked with the BBC to produce educational programmes and was a scout for a professional football team. From 2007 to 2011 Colin moved to be the Deputy Head of Ross School and overseen Inclusion, Safeguarding, Child Protection and Wellbeing.

Most significantly in 2011, Colin received his first Headship when he took over the leadership of Dalkeith School (Principal) which is a 900 student coeducational school on the outskirts of Edinburgh. After 4 very successful years at Dalkeith, Colin was promoted to lead one of Scotland’s oldest schools with the 1,300 student Musselburgh Grammar School, where he served 6 years as Principal. During these 10 years of Secondary school Headship Colin received many awards and was most notably recognised with his appointment as an Ofsted inspector (HMIe). This is the equivalent of our Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) in the KHDA Dubai system.

In terms of his educational background, Colin graduated from the University of Glasgow with a M.A (Honours degree) in History. He achieved his PGCE (Secondary teaching qualification in History & Humanities) from the University of Strathclyde. Finally, he was awarded his Scottish Qualification for Headship (SQH/NPQH) and Postgraduate Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Edinburgh.

Mike Dickie joined UIS as Deputy Head of Primary in August 2023, bringing a wealth of leadership experience from both the UK and Dubai. Originally from Aberdeen, Mike trained and began his teaching career in Glasgow before moving to London, where he worked in several inner-London schools, building a strong track record of improving educational outcomes for students in diverse communities.

In 2015, Mike moved to Dubai, where he led on teaching and learning at Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba, helping the school grow from a start-up to an established institution with a strong reputation. After three successful years, he returned to London in 2018 to start a family. During this period, Mike served as Deputy Head at two outstanding schools, where he was instrumental in driving improvements in student outcomes and leading staff development, as well as leading on curriculum design and integrating technology across the curriculum.

In 2023, Mike returned to Dubai, drawn by his fondness for the city and the opportunity to join UIS, with its reputation for excellence within a diverse community of students and families. He is committed to building on the school’s successes, ensuring every student is challenged and supported to reach their full potential.

Paul began his illustrious career in the UK as an English teacher before moving overseas to take his first international post at an IB World school in Jordan. Since then, Paul has made a significant impact across various esteemed IB institutions worldwide, assuming diverse middle and senior leadership positions. His work has focused on school improvement, strategic development, enhancing teaching and learning and improving the student experience.

A dedicated lifelong learner, Paul values professional growth and has pursued numerous postgraduate qualifications. He has completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship and holds three master’s degrees, including an MA in Teaching and Learning and an MBA in Educational Leadership. Additionally, Paul is a qualified Inspector for the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the British Schools Overseas (BSO), as well as a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. His qualifications showcase a commitment to educational excellence and continuous self-improvement.

Throughout his impressive career, Paul has been steadfast in promoting a nurturing environment where meeting expectations is the norm and exceeding them is commonplace. His fervour for implementing inclusive and innovative practices has resulted in significant improvements in student outcomes, staff collective efficacy, and the overall culture of the schools in which he has led. Paul is dedicated to fostering an atmosphere of excellence at Uptown International School with the aim of developing a learning community where both students and staff can thrive.

Sam is in her 31st year as an educator and her 21st as a senior leader. She spent the first 20 years of her career in the United Kingdom, with the last five of those years as Principal in a secondary school in the Northwest of England. Immediately before joining Uptown International School, Sam held the position of Head of Senior School at the prestigious North London Collegiate School in Jeju, South Korea, for five years. She believes that teaching is one of the most rewarding professions and that the aspect she enjoys most is engaging with the young people she works with. Their energy, imagination, and curiosity ensure that no two days are ever the same.

Sam has been at UIS since 2019. As Deputy Headteacher, she leads student achievement across the whole school, collaborating with teachers and leaders to support students in their academic success. She believes that all young people have the ability to achieve their goals, both academically and personally. As a school, they are ambitious for their students, adopting a ‘no ceiling approach’ to their potential.

Be Bhogal is a passionate educator and a proud mother of two energetic boys, aged 10 and 7. Her journey toward becoming a teacher began when she was just four years old, and for the past 17 years, she has been fortunate to pursue this vocation. As a trained secondary English teacher, Be has had the privilege of teaching across both primary and secondary levels. Now in her fourth year at Uptown International School, she is honored to serve as Whole School Deputy Head Teacher for the third consecutive year. Be is excited to help students thrive in their learning and to support the school on its path to achieving Outstanding.

Dr. Aline El Jurdi is the Whole School Deputy Head of School Improvement at UIS, bringing over 15 years of expertise in the education sector. She holds a PhD in Educational Sciences, along with Master’s degrees in Educational Leadership and TESOL. Throughout her career, Dr. Aline has held senior leadership roles in schools, served as a university professor, and consulted on educational reform and school improvement.
She has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in education at various universities and has authored numerous research articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Her research interests and work have focused on current issues in education and tackled varied disciplines such as linguistics, cognition, media and digital literacy, and educational leadership. Dr. Aline is also a seasoned professional development coach, delivering workshops and seminars that empower educators and enhance their teaching practices.
Dedicated to fostering student-centered learning, she believes education is a lifelong journey of growth where both students and educators continuously evolve through ongoing learning and self-improvement. Outside of her professional life, Dr. Aline enjoys exploring arts, music, and writing.

As the Deputy Head Teacher and Safeguard Lead at UIS, Mick is committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for all students. With over twenty three years of experience in education, eighteen of which are within the UAE, and now in his eleventh year at UIS, Mick brings a passion for positive student culture and well-being, ensuring that every child feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

Central to Mick’s philosophy is the promotion of a growth mindset, encouraging students to embrace challenges and view setbacks as opportunities for learning and self-improvement. As a former sportsman and Head of PHE, Mick often emphasizes the “power of yet,” reinforcing the idea that abilities and understanding can grow over time with effort and persistence. This mindset helps students build confidence, perseverance, and a lifelong love of learning.

In the role of Safeguard Lead, Mick ensures that all safeguarding policies are implemented effectively, creating a secure environment where students feel safe to express themselves and thrive. With a deep commitment to nurturing both the academic and emotional growth of each student, Mick plays an integral role in shaping a positive school culture.

Rick originally graduated from the University of Southampton in 2000 with a Master of Engineering degree in Naval Architecture. He worked in the industry for a short time in central London before retraining to become a teacher of Mathematics. Rick worked in various schools across the North West of the UK, where he quickly began to lead mathematics departments, became a leadership coach for partner schools, and in 2016 gained the NPQSL. Before coming to Dubai, he served as Assistant Head Teacher at his previous school from 2017 to 2022. Rick is now nearing completion of the NPQH and hopes to gain enough local experience to lead a school in Dubai in the future. He firmly believes that forming secure relationships with students, their families, colleagues, and whole school staff is paramount, treating everyone in the team as equal partners in the learning journey. Rick feels privileged to work at UIS and is often in awe of the level of support and diversity he experiences within the amazing school community.