English Faculty Leader - Bethan Wyn-Jones

Bethan graduated from Cardiff University in 2000 with a BA (Hons) degree in English Literature. Following this she spent a gap year in New Zealand, before returning to the UK. Bethan then worked as an Accreditation Officer for an Adult Education College, before beginning her PGCE in Bangor University, North Wales. She hasn’t looked back, teaching in a secondary comprehensive in North Wales for five years. During this time she worked as an external ‘A’ level examiner for the WJEC and also enrolled on a part-time MA in Education Studies at Bangor University. Bethan has now achieved the post-graduate diploma element of the course and intends to continue onwards to complete her dissertation. Bethan moved to Dubai in August 2007 to take up her first teaching post overseas at the Dubai British School.

English Teacher - Kirsty McLachlan

Kirsty studied English Literature and Media Studies at Stirling University, Scotland. It is here she also gained her teaching degree in a career she loves. She then began her teaching career in Kirkcaldy High School, Fife, in January 2008. During her time there she immersed herself in school-life, playing a key role in her department, organising charity and whole-school events and carrying out trips such as a ski week in America and the school's first expedition to Kenya. Her desire to develop her career further, as well as her keen interest in travel, culture and the outdoors led her to Dubai British School.  When she isn't chasing haggis around the moors of Scotland, Kirsty loves all things associated with the outdoors; sports and keeping fit, snowboarding and has a passion for music and film.

English Teacher - Gemma Llewellyn

Gemma studied English Studies at the University of Sunderland. Before embarking on the Graduate Teaching Programme, she spent a year in a school as a Cover Supervisor in order to gain valuable experience. Gemma then spent six months in Western Australia before completing her teacher training. She went on to spend two years at Nunthorpe School in Middlesbrough and was Assistant Key Stage 4 Director and SENCO for the English Faculty. Gemma is extremely proud of the GCSE results that were achieved by her Year 11 students in her first year of teaching and thoroughly enjoys her role as a form tutor as well as an English teacher. In her spare time, she likes to keep fit and plays netball for a local team. Gemma loves to travel and enjoys new challenges and this is what led her to DBS!

English Teacher - Mary Moore

Mary is a graduate of the University of London, having trained at St Mary’s College, Twickenham, graduating in 1978 with an Honours Degree in Education and specialising in English and Art. Having started her teaching career in London, Mary moved to the British International School, Cairo as English Coordinator, returning to the UK in 1984 to have the first of her four children. She has had wide experience in a variety of UK state schools, teaching English to A level and taking on the role of Key Stage Manager within her department in a 1200 pupil comprehensive. She joined the English department at DBS in September 2006.

Media Studies Teacher - Lisa Hawkins

Lisa graduated with a degree in Film, Television, Literature and Theatre Studies from The University College of Ripon and York St John in 1999.  After graduation, she worked within the media industry which included placements with Sarah Radclyffe Productions in London and the California Film Commission in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Upon returning to education, she received a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies from The University of Leeds, where she also completed a PGCE in Secondary English.  She was a teacher of English and Media Studies at Little Heath School, Berkshire before being appointed Head of Media Studies and subsequently, Director of Arts, at Cambridge International School, Dubai before her appointment to DBS in 2009.