Our Extended Leadership Team

Rebecca Laurence

Deputy Principal - Primo (EEC - KG2)

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 Principal - Lower Junior School (Grades 1-2)

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 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.

Jack Pierce

Deputy Principal - Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Jack Pierce is an experienced educator and school leader from Brighton, England. After studying Sport and Physical Education at Cardiff University, he pursued his passion for teaching by completing a PGCE at the University of Brighton. His career then took him to the UAE, where he is now entering his eighth year in education across the region.

Having joined Bloom World Academy in 2024, Jack is now beginning his third year at the school as Deputy Principal of the Middle School (Grades 6-8). Throughout his career, he has held a range of leadership roles, including leading a PHE department and serving as a Grade Leader. He has also completed NPQ qualifications, further strengthening his expertise in school improvement, student wellbeing, and positive learning environments.

Passionate about supporting young people through the important middle school years, Jack is committed to supporting a culture of belonging, personal growth, and academic excellence. His experience across both the British and IB curricula has helped shape his belief in developing confident, resilient, and internationally minded learners.

Outside of school, Jack enjoys playing football, keeping fit through running and is still looking to improve his skills as a golfer. As a dedicated supporter of Brighton & Hove Albion, he closely follows the club’s continued success. He is also a strong advocate for mental health and wellbeing through sport and physical activity and remains committed to promoting healthy, balanced lifestyles within the school community.

Sarah Sinclair

Deputy Principal - Senior School (Grades 9-10)

Sarah Sinclair is a highly experienced English educator with 14 years of teaching experience spanning both Primary and Secondary stages in England and Kuwait. She possesses a strong dedication to teacher development and a deep appreciation for the Arts. Sarah studied in Leicester, England and earned her Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree in 2010. Her teaching career has primarily focused on the English National Curriculum, and she eagerly anticipates integrating the International Baccalaureate (IB) into her pedagogical approach. Two qualities of the IB that resonate with Sarah’s educational philosophy are its emphasis on inquiry-based learning and its commitment to fostering global citizenship.

Throughout her career, Sarah has held various leadership roles, including Assistant Head of English and most recently, Director of Literacy. Her highlights include spearheading curriculum development initiatives, coordinating whole-school CPD (Continuing Professional Development), and successfully embedding literacy strategies across a large Upper school. Sarah’s leadership has been instrumental in enhancing student outcomes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within her school community.

Outside of her professional life, Sarah finds fulfilment in reading, traveling, and immersing herself in different cultures around the world.

Bridgette Doyle

Deputy Principal - Nexus (Grades 11-12)

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.

Carolyn Siklos

Assistant Principal - Nexus and IB Leader: DP/CP Coordinator

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.