Our Extended
Leadership Team

Rebecca Laurence

Deputy Vice Principal – Primo (EEC–KG1)

Rebecca has lived in the UAE for seven years. She comes from a small town in South Yorkshire, England.

Rebecca started her teaching career in 2013 after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with a BA (Hons) in Early Years Education. She has held leadership posts in the Early Years for the past four years and fully appreciates, values and understands the learning journey young children are embarking upon.

Early Childhood Education is Rebecca’s passion and she considers it a privilege to be involved in a child’s first experiences of school. As an Early Years Specialist she believes that positive relationships sit at the core of a successful and joyful learning experience.

Rebecca creates a child centered learning environment, developing the whole child to feel safe and confident, to explore and take risks. She encourages creativity and inquiry-based learning to support children to become innovators and problem solvers. She aims to set each and every child up for a lifetime of learning, and build a foundation, from which your child can grow and succeed.

Outside of school Rebecca is very family orientated, she enjoys outdoor activities, travel and messy play with her husband and son. Together with the Early Years team, Rebecca looks forward to working closely with BWA students and families on this exciting journey together.

Lauren Davies

Deputy Vice Principal – Lower Junior School (KG2 – Grade 2)

Lauren Davies is a dedicated and experienced educational leader from Scotland, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Primary Education with Honours from the University of Glasgow. With a strong background in teaching and leadership, Lauren has successfully held two headship positions, where she consistently demonstrated her commitment to raising attainment for all learners and supporting children in reaching their full potential.

Known for her inclusive approach, Lauren is a passionate advocate for creating learning environments where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired. Her expertise includes leading national development work focused on improving writing outcomes, showcasing her commitment to educational excellence and innovation.

Beyond academics, Lauren is a strong advocate of student wellbeing, believing that emotional and social development is integral to academic success. Her holistic view of education aligns well with the values of the IB programme.

Lauren enjoys spending quality time with her husband, young daughter, and their dog, often exploring new places and embracing new experiences together. She is thrilled to join the dynamic community of Bloom World Academy and looks forward to contributing her experience, enthusiasm, and values in her new role.

Ruth Johnston

Deputy Vice Principal – Upper Junior School (Grades 3–5)

Ruth Johnston has over 10 years of teaching experience in all stages of the primary school and is from Scotland, United Kingdom. She graduated with a Bachelor of Primary Education Degree and went on to further her education completing Masters Postgraduate Certificates in Middle Leadership at University of Dundee. In addition to classroom teaching, Ruth has a range of leadership experiences including substantive posts as Principal Teacher and Depute Head Teacher.

Ruth prioritises creating positive relationships to support the holistic development of all children and recognises the importance of nurturing these with both learners and their families. She is passionate about using digital tools to enhance learning experiences and supporting children to develop skills for learning, life and work. Ruth strives to promote an inclusive classroom where diversity and uniqueness are celebrated, empowering all children to be ‘first, best and different’.

She moved to the UAE in August 2024 with her husband and two young children. Outside of work she enjoys spending quality time with her son and daughter, creating digital content and fitness classes. Ruth is looking forward to travelling more and seizing all the new opportunities that the UAE has to offer.

Lara Dale

Deputy Vice Principal – Senior School (Grades 9-10)

Lara holds an MA(hons) in Medieval History from the University of St Andrews and a PGCE from the University of Oxford. Having started her teaching career in and around Oxfordshire, she returned to her home city of London as Head of a History Department, and then as Head of the Humanities Faculty. Lara moved on to become an Assistant Principal and then the Director of Sixth Form in a large, over-subscribed all-through school, also in London.

In 2017, Lara and her husband decided to have a short adventure and move overseas. Seven years later, and having taught at two schools in Abu Dhabi, the UAE has now very much become home.

For the previous five years, Lara has been a key member of Cranleigh Abu Dhabi’s Senior Leadership Team. As Director of Student and Staff Development, Lara was known for her dedication to the school community and was instrumental in driving up standards and outcomes across both the academic and pastoral spheres. Lara is passionate about providing young people with access to high-quality education and wide-ranging experiences, supporting students in becoming well-informed, open-minded and articulate individuals.

Outside school, Lara enjoys being on the move. Once a marathon runner, Lara has now taken up cycling and is enjoying taking part in duathlons when time allows. Skiing, hiking, cycling – Lara and her husband are most relaxed when they are outside and active.

Lara also holds the UK National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

Carolyn Siklos

Deputy Vice Principal – Nexus and DP/CP Coordinator (Grades 11-12)

Carolyn Siklos is a trilingual IB educator, workshop leader and examiner originally from Germany. She grew up bilingually with English and German nationality and learnt French as a teenager, later studying in Paris as part of her English, French and Psychology degree from Durham University. After completing teacher training at Oxford University, she worked in London before finding her passion, teaching the International Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma Programme in Dubai!

After fifteen years of working in IB schools, leading a language acquisition department, coordinating the Middle Years Programme and providing IB professional development, Carolyn has most recently contributed to curriculum development as part of the Middle Years Programme Enhancement Project run by the International Baccalaureate.

Neil Best

Assistant Vice Principal – Senior School and MYP Coordinator (Grades 6-10)

Neil Best, originally from the Northeast of England, graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with a 2:1 in BA Hons Secondary Physical Education Sport & Dance with QTS. Following graduating he began his overseas career and has been teaching internationally for 13 years across the Middle East, USA and Europe.

With a depth of knowledge in the International Baccalaureate, Neil began at Bloom World Academy in August 2023 as Leader & Advanced Practitioner of Physical Education and Deputy MYP Coordinator. This academic year now sees Neil moving into the role of MYP Coordinator alongside PHE to continue building on this area within Bloom World Academy.

Outside of teaching, Neil enjoys playing a range of sport with extensive background in rugby at representational level, football and recreational golf. He also enjoys keeping fit through running and workout classes.