Key Stage 1 leader and Year 1 teacher - Jessica Hitchmough

Jessica graduated from Durham University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Education, specialising in English Language. She worked in a busy inner city London school for four years, teaching lower key stage two and key stage one. After a year of travelling around the world and a brief spell teaching back in the North West, where she grew up, she moved to Birmingham. Here, she taught at another vibrant multicultural school for three years before coming to DBS. She has also held the position of Science subject leader at her schools in the UK.

Year 1 teacher - Sandra Hall

After turning her back on the joys of office life, Sandra embarked upon her second career as a teacher.  She gained a degree English before training as a teacher at the Institute of Education, where she specialised in Early Years teaching.  Her own education complete, she then began the job of educating others at Grafton Primary School in North London. She worked there for eight years and taught across the three key stages. In 2008, Sandra took on the role of English Coordinator, allowing her to combine her passion for the subject with her enthusiasm for teaching. Sandra has previously worked in America, Australia and Europe, as well as travelling extensively through Europe and South East Asia. Previous visits to Dubai have lured her into her first international teaching post at Dubai British School.

Year 1 teacher - Felicity McSheaffrey

Felicity studied Psychology at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Following her degree, she decided to spend a year as a teaching assistant and this confirmed her interest in children’s education.  As a result, she went on to gain her PGCE from the University of Sunderland.  Felicity was educated in the Far East in a bilingual environment before returning to Scotland to complete her tertiary education.  This experience has created her interest in teaching and learning in an international setting and she hopes this enthusiasm will be conveyed to the children.  In her spare time, Felicity enjoys playing hockey, cooking and socialising with family and friends.

Year 2 teacher - Thomasina Thomas

With a keen interest in working with children and a passion for learning, becoming a primary school teacher was a logical step for Thomasina. She received a Bachelor of Education from St. Mary’s University College, Belfast and whilst there she had the opportunity to practice her teaching skills in Belgium and Palestine. This experience ignited her interest in international education and on graduating Thomasina spent time teaching in Kuwait, where she was also able to utilise her TEFL training. Prior to arriving in the UAE, Thomasina lived in Surrey and taught at Holy Cross Preparatory School in Kingston Upon Thames. Thomasina has delivered the National Curriculum for England and Wales, and the IB Primary Years’ Programme throughout her teaching career. She has coordinated Science and RE/PSHE, and has been Year Group Leader.

Year 2 teacher - Sangeeta Bhandari

Sangeeta graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Middlesex University in 2003. She continued her studies and completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and began her teaching career in 2004. Her first post was based in an inclusive inner city London school, where she held the position of Science Co-ordinator, teaching lower Key Stage two and Key Stage one. In 2008, Sangeeta joined a large multicultural school in Middlesex where she was responsible for Humanities, Design and Technology, and IT before joining the team at DBS. In her spare time Sangeeta has a real love for art and literature.

Year 2 teacher - Laura Marsandi

Information and photo to follow.