Senior Leadership
Benjamin Parnell
Vice Principal (Boys)
Benjamin is an experienced teacher and school leader with 19 years in Dubai, having taught across every age group from Early Years to Sixth Form and held multiple senior leadership roles at high-performing, not-for-profit schools.
He believes that school improvement is fundamentally about people, knowing them, investing in them and creating the conditions where students are stretched, supported and set up to succeed. His expertise lies in building cultures of high expectation rooted in genuine relationships, where every individual feels known, valued and supported to grow. A former Great Britain international triathlete and coach of world champions, he understands what it takes to bring the best out of people under pressure.
That same commitment extends to the colleagues he leads. Benjamin is dedicated to developing the staff around him, knowing that when teachers grow, students flourish. At RLS, he brings strategic rigour, kindness and curiosity to everything he does and as someone currently reading for an MBA in Educational Leadership at University College London, he remains as invested in his own growth as he is in the growth of those around him.
Elizabeth Keheller
Vice Principal (Girls)
Elizabeth Kelleher is an experienced school leader with 22 years in education, including multiple senior leadership roles in outstanding schools in Abu Dhabi. She has worked across British, American, IB and Irish curricula at both Primary and Secondary level. Her future‑focused, research‑driven and student‑centred approach aligns strongly with the future focused visions of RLS and the UAE.
Having spent 16 years in the Emirates, Elizabeth is deeply committed to empowering young Emiratis and supporting them to reach their full potential. She brings significant experience in all‑girls education, as a teacher and 15 years of personal schooling in this context.
With a background in behavioural economics, Elizabeth offers a unique perspective on how individuals and communities think, act and learn; shaping our educational environment. She believes supportive communities achieve greater collective outcomes, a principle that underpins her leadership style. Elizabeth holds a BA in Economics & Geography, MA in Management & Sustainability, a PGDE, the NPQH, and is a certified Systems Thinking Leader.
Zeinab Majed
Assistant Principal, National Subjects (Whole School)
Zeinab Majed brings extensive experience in school leadership, curriculum oversight, and staff development within an international and bilingual education context. Her work is rooted in strengthening teaching and learning, supporting educators, and ensuring meaningful, high-quality provision across the school.
At RLS, Zeinab serves as Assistant Principal and Head of the Ministry of Education Department, supporting strategic planning, staff leadership, and the effective day-to-day running of the school. She is deeply committed to ensuring that Arabic and Islamic education are lived experiences rather than standalone subjects, with Emirati culture, values, and identity authentically embedded across school life. Her leadership reflects the vision of Dubai’s leaders in nurturing confident, values driven learners who are proud of their heritage and prepared for the future.
Wendy Jones
Assistant Principal, Inclusion (Whole School)
Wendy Jones is the Assistant Principal for Inclusion at RLS, working across both the boys’ and girls’ sites. With over 25 years of experience in education across the UAE, Hong Kong and the UK, Wendy brings deep expertise and a strong commitment to inclusive practice.
Wendy leads the strategic direction and daily delivery of inclusive education, ensuring that every child is supported, valued and empowered to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. She works closely with teachers, support staff, families and external professionals, believing that strong partnerships and collective responsibility are key to student success.
Passionate about inclusion, Wendy is committed to upholding the UAE’s vision of equity, opportunity and excellence in education, and to embedding a culture where diversity is celebrated and every learner can reach their full potential.
James Batten
Assistant Principal, Digital Learning (Whole School)
James Batten brings 13 years of experience to enhancing education through technology, specialising in purposeful and practical use of technology for teaching and learning and developing innovative digital fluency curricula. He has previously led digital teaching and learning for a large Multi-Academy Trust in the United Kingdom.
At RLS, James oversees digital strategy across both campuses, ensuring students' curricula and extra-curricula experiences of technology are purposeful, safe, balanced and prepares each student for a technology infused world. He is committed to the advancements of technology and curating environments, experiences and education that reflect Dubai’s values of curiosity and innovation.
Imran Akhtar
Assistant Principal, Middle School (Boys)
Imran Akhtar is an experienced school leader with over 17 years in education, including 11 years of international experience in Dubai, having begun his career in the United Kingdom. He has held senior leadership roles in both the UK and schools in Dubai, with responsibility for academic leadership, pastoral care and the development of values‑driven school cultures.
He serves as Assistant Principal of Middle School for Boys at Rashid & Latifa School, providing strategic leadership for the Middle School phase and contributing at a school level as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Central to his leadership is a commitment to building authentic relationships with students, staff and families, grounded in trust, consistency and mutual respect. He believes relationships underpin effective learning communities, ensuring students feel known, valued and supported academically and personally and is committed to continuous professional growth, having recently completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship.
Zaheera Haujee
Assistant Principal, Middle School (Girls)
Zaheera brings over 18 years of UK and international experience of leadership in British curriculum schools. She has led on various whole-school strategies, with a particular focus on developing pedagogy, implementing monitoring systems and ongoing professional development for teachers. Zaheera is the Founding Assistant Principal responsible for the Girls' Middle School at RLS. Her role encompasses all aspects of the strategic and operational running of the Middle School, including curriculum planning, learning and teaching, assessment and the care, guidance and support of students. Her leadership aims to cultivate RLS graduates who are bold and visionary leaders, adaptable problem solvers and innovators of the future; proudly grounded in Emirati culture and Islamic values. In addition to a BA, MA and PGCE, Zaheera has also been awarded the NPQH. She aspires to lead with kindness and humility; serving the needs of the RLS community whilst upholding the highest of expectations.
Jimmy Hodgson
Head of Primary (Boys)
Jimmy is an experienced school leader with a strong track record across Early Years and Primary within British international schools.
He specialises in assessment, teaching and learning, school improvement planning and operational leadership. As a founding Assistant Principal, he has played a key role in shaping the school’s purpose, principles and practices, working closely with the leadership team from initial building design and school set up through to the delivery of high-quality educational experiences. His expertise includes data driven improvement, curriculum implementation, inspection readiness, safeguarding and staff development.
At RLS, Jimmy leads across Early Years and Lower School, overseeing teaching quality, holistic care and support of students, assessment and professional learning. He also contributes to whole school strategy, recruitment and operational delivery.
He holds an MA in Education Leadership and Management and the NPQH. His work reflects Dubai’s values of ambition, innovation and high standards, with a strong focus on clarity and sustainable improvement.
Emma Turner
Head of Primary (Girls)
Emma Turner brings 23 years of experience, shaped through teaching and leadership roles in high‑performing schools in the UK and Dubai. Her work is guided by a child‑centred philosophy and a strong commitment to securing the best possible outcomes for every student.
A member of the founding senior leadership team, Emma has played a key role in the journey from project phase through to opening and the continued development of RLS. She works closely with staff to ensure high‑quality teaching, developmentally appropriate and playful pedagogy, supporting children’s holistic development and academic progress.
Emma’s passion for education is rooted in the earliest years and a deep appreciation of the importance of a child’s earliest learning experiences. Her own secondary education in an all‑girls Grammar school continues to inform her leadership at RLS Girls. She believes strong relationships, meeting children where they are and using play and inquiry to support learning are central to effective practice.
Emma holds a BSc (Hons), a PGCE in Primary Education, and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).
Scott Brown
Assistant Principal, Academic Performance (Boys)
Scott Brown is an experienced educational leader with over 15 years in UK and international education, specialising in academic excellence, operational efficiency and campus logistics. He has held key leadership roles in three start-up English curriculum schools, including Pastoral Lead, Head of Faculty, and Deputy Head of Secondary, where he played a central role in establishing high-performing academic environments.
Originally graduating with a degree in Law, Scott began his career in Corporate Finance and Private Equity law before transitioning into education to pursue his commitment to developing young people.
In his current role at RLS, Scott leads academic performance strategy for the boys’ campus, with responsibility for data analysis, curriculum delivery, and timetable management. His work is closely aligned with Dubai’s vision for educational excellence, ensuring consistently high standards and measurable student outcomes.
Samantha Pyper
Assistant Principal, Curiosity, Creativity & Innovation (Girls)
Samantha Pyper is an innovative school leader with nearly two decades of experience across the UK and the UAE, specialising in research‑informed curriculum and inclusive, future‑focused assessment design.
As a senior leader, Samantha’s experience is in creating systems and environments that enable the recognition of students’ potential and ambitions.
She believes positive and meaningful impact is achieved when curiosity drives learning and schools become a place where students feel happy, safe and seen for who they are and the person they strive to be.
At RLS, she leads strategy in innovative assessment design, rooted in Dubai’s context, ensuring approaches are inclusive and equip students for the world they will inhabit, shape and lead.
Educated in an all‑girls setting, and holding a BA, PGCE, MA and NPQH, Samantha is passionate about empowering young women to own their space, shape their environments and lead with confidence and grace.