Dubai Schools - AlbarshaPrincipal & Leadership TeamLast Updated: April 7, 2026

Dubai Schools Corporation L.L.C Albarsha is operated under a Public-Private Partnership between the Dubai Government and Taaleem Group, a governance model that places the school at the intersection of national education policy and private-sector operational expertise. The governing board maintains oversight of school operations, and KHDA inspectors noted that governors hold a realistic understanding of the work still to be done — a sign of honest self-awareness, if not yet of transformative impact. Governance was rated Acceptable in the 2023–2024 inspection, reflecting a structure that is functional but has room to mature.

Principal Anita Jane Stewart, who holds the title of Principal/Superintendent, was appointed on 1 August 2023, having previously led Dubai Schools Nad Al Sheba. She joined Taaleem in 2022 and brings over two decades of strategic and operational educational leadership across the UAE and UK. KHDA inspectors specifically highlighted the vision, commitment and determination of the Principal and her leadership team as one of the school's most notable strengths — a meaningful endorsement in an otherwise Acceptable-rated report. Leadership effectiveness was rated Acceptable overall, though the principal's personal standing with inspectors and parents is clearly a stabilising force in a school that is still in its early years, having opened in 2021.

The leadership team is broad and structured, with Dr. Zarmina Hottaki serving as Vice Principal, Gerard Lavelle as Elementary Principal, Dr. Holly Voorhees-Carmical as Secondary Principal, and Dr. Emilija Stojanovski as Associate Principal for Curriculum and Assessment. Additional assistant principals cover KG and Elementary, the Ministry of Education programme, and student welfare. This depth of middle leadership is a positive signal for a school of this size and complexity, though inspectors noted that the school lacks sufficient experienced specialist teachers and support staff to meet the high levels of need — particularly for the large number of students learning English as an additional language.

With 78 teachers and 1,233 students, the school operates at a student-to-teacher ratio of 1:16. This is notably higher than the Dubai-wide average of 1:13.6 across all private schools, suggesting that classrooms carry a heavier load than the city norm — a concern given that 161 students of determination are enrolled and the vast majority of students are learning in English as an additional language. The school also employs 48 teaching assistants and 2 guidance counsellors, which provides some additional capacity, though inspectors flagged this as an area requiring further investment. [MISSING: staff qualification percentages — no data on proportion holding Masters or higher qualifications]

On community and parent engagement, the picture is genuinely positive. Parents and community engagement was rated Good by KHDA — one of only two areas to achieve this rating in the 2023–2024 inspection. The school operates a Parent Council, encourages parental involvement in classrooms and school trips, and conducts internal surveys to measure stakeholder wellbeing. Inspectors described parents as highly supportive of the school and its leaders. Wellbeing provision overall was also rated Good, underpinned by a dedicated wellbeing committee, school counsellors, and early-intervention structures. The school holds accreditation from NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) and TASS (The Alliance for Sustainable Schools), providing external quality benchmarks beyond the KHDA framework.