Nick Soar

Meet Nick Soar, BA, NPQH the Principal/CEO of GEMS Founders School – Dubai South (GFD)

I am extremely proud to have joined the GFD Community as Principal and I look forward immensely to meeting all of you as the families at the heart our wonderful community. It is our vision to help your son and daughter to achieve the very best that they can. I know that together jointly with you we can help them identify their unique talents and grow into being settled, successful and happy.

My own subject specialist discipline is English Literature and a love of reading is my day to day enjoyment and is always at the heart of my schools. But I balance this with a love of geology and geography and the creative arts and I believe encouraging children to enrich their own love of learning in all areas is at the heart of being fully human. A broad and deep curriculum is the very best to prepare us all for life beyond school and into the world of work and university and this is what your child will receive at GFD.

Over the last 15 years, I have had the privilege in working closely with the OECD to develop cutting edge research into careers education and employability and helping forging links for all ages between GFD and local employers is one of my first exciting missions.

I have over 30 years’ experience in education in both private independent schools and state education across England and 16 years as a Principal and executive leader within the highest performing schools in London. Prior to my joining GFD, I was the Executive Principal with the Harris Federation, the multiple award winner UK Trust of the Year. I was responsible for 4 successful schools in north London and two in South London. I led these schools to gain the coveted Outstanding grading in UK Ofsted inspections in 4 different schools. I bring this high ambition and drive for success to GFD.

My training and background is in both primary and secondary schools. In all my work I try to do ordinary things, extraordinarily well. My first job was leading English from Year 3 to Year 8 in an all-through private school in Richmond, London. GFD is my 4th all-through school and I thrive on building the consistency and cohesion serving families through their time with us schools like GFD allow.

I am passionate about enthusing and encouraging students to become independent, resilient life-long learners who will leave school well-prepared for their future challenges. I hold a post-graduate degree in Teaching & Learning, have completed my NPQH and I regularly lead training for headteachers and executive Trust leaders in the National Qualifications in teaching and learning & behaviour and culture building in schools.