John Stapley

Meet John Stapley, MSc. NPQH the Interim Principal/CEO of GEMS Founders School – Dubai South (GFD)

I am proud to be joining the GFD Community as Interim Principal and look forward to meeting the families of this wonderful community.

I have over 25 years’ experience in education in Dubai, including senior and executive leadership roles within large international schools. Prior to my joining GFD, I was the Associate Principal at GFS (the original Founders School in Al Barsha South) having been a member of the school opening team in 2016. I have many years’ experience of Founders schools and families and have helped GFS achieve its ‘Very Good’ KHDA rating in 2023 and ‘Outstanding’ BSO ratings in both 2022 and 2025. I have been a member of the GFD community and a supporter of the school since it opened in 2024 being a member of GFD’s Local Advisory Board (LAB).

My background is Primary teaching and, after training in a middle school (KS2 & 3), I began my career teaching in Junior schools in Hertfordshire in England before moving to Dubai in 2000, teaching and leading schools since then. I am passionate about enthusing, engaging and encouraging students to become independent, resilient life-long learners who will leave school well-prepared for their future challenges. I hold a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management, have completed my NPQH and BSO inspector training and have been a part of Penta BSO school inspections of schools across the Middle East and Europe.