Meet The Team

It is with great pride that I welcome you to our remarkable school.

Having begun my teaching and leadership career in the UK, I relocated to the UAE ten years ago. With a wealth of executive leadership experience, I have enjoyed steering schools through periods of change and significant development. It is with great privilege, as the Head of School, to drive standards and strategy across the whole academy. 

I obtained my first degree in BSc Sports and Exercise Science at Loughborough University. My postgraduate studies include MSc in Marketing and Management and NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship). I am currently studying as a performance coach which I will use to develop leaders within our organisiation.

As a former International Triathlete competing for Great Britain on the World stage and a Loughborough University Sports Scholar, my philosophy of education is for students to be all-rounded – gaining values and skills through exposure to a variety of high performing experiences. This aligns to our whole school vision to provide opportunities through our five domains – Sports, The Arts, Academic Excellence, Innovation and Community. Through these we build vital life skills such as resilience, collaboration and leadership, inspiring ambitious learners who are motivated to succeed in a wide range of academic, personal, and social situations. 

Through the delivery of a relevant and challenging curriculum, my vision for the academy is to ensure that every child is given the platform to reach their full potential, no matter what their starting point. I wish to inspire learners to take pride in all that they do, to be reflective, and to celebrate their accomplishments.  

We are an incredible community, and I look forward to continuing our journey of educational excellence with the common goal – to develop happy, responsible global citizens equipped to thrive in this ever-changing world. 

My name is Sarah Lane, and it is my privilege to introduce myself as the Primary Principal at Yasmina British Academy. With over a decade of experience in high-performing schools in the U.K. and the U.A.E., I am proud to be entering my sixth year as a leader at this remarkable school.

Yasmina British Academy is more than just an Outstanding school—it is a community where exceptional learning thrives. Our vision, “Empowered minds, endless possibilities,” is at the heart of everything we do. Our core values—creativity, collaboration, excellence, respect, and passion—guide us in nurturing students who are ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the future. As a proud Outstanding school, we strive not only to meet but to exceed expectations, ensuring that every child is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and mindset to succeed.

At our school we firmly believe that it is imperative to develop the whole child, focusing on emotional needs alongside academics. One of my key priorities as a leader is to provide all children with experiences where they feel secure and confident enough to try out new things and make mistakes, as this is a critical aspect of the learning process. All children should feel a sense of security and belonging and pride in their school, and we are proud to say that this a key aspect of your child’s journey here at Yasmina British Academy.

I look forward to meeting your family and continuing this journey of growth and success alongside our incredible community.

After completing my Geography degree at the University of Derby in 1996, I decided I wanted to combine my love of the world with working with children so in 1998 I embarked on a new journey and trained to be a teacher at the University of Leeds; 25 years later I am still driven by the same underlying factor – I want to make a difference.

After ten very successful years in the UK, I moved to the UAE in 2009, joining Yasmina British Academy as a middle leader in 2011.

In 2015 I joined the senior leadership team, and I am now very privileged to hold the position of Head of Secondary. I have an excellent track record of raising standards and have been an integral part of the Academy’s journey over the last ten years, achieving BSME Outstanding, Investors in People Gold, BSO Outstanding and most recently ADEK Outstanding.

Over the years, having held various leadership positions, I truly understand the importance of developing the whole child. For me, education is the key to success, and this success is enveloped by a growth mindset where learning is at the heart of everything we do. With this philosophy in mind, there is no ceiling to learning, no limit to success and no cap to achievement; learning truly is an exciting journey of discovery for all.

I’m excited to share my journey in education and my role as Assistant Principal at Yasmina British Academy. My passion for teaching began when I earned my degree from Sheffield Hallam University, which set the foundation for a rewarding career in various primary schools across Lincolnshire, England.

In 2016, I took on my first leadership role at an Outstanding-rated school, overseeing both the English and Assessment departments and contributing to the Governing Body. This experience was key to driving the school’s success.

In 2018, my family and I ventured abroad to Spain, where I joined the Senior Leadership Team of a well-regarded British International School. This opportunity enriched my perspective and allowed me to infuse a global outlook into my leadership approach.

I joined Yasmina British Academy in 2020 as Director of Phase, where I was proud to help establish the new Early Years Campus. This role further strengthened my commitment to creating an exceptional and nurturing learning environment for all students.

Since 2023, I am honoured to serve as Assistant Principal. I am proud to be part of a school where talented staff, dedicated families, and extraordinary students come together to create a community that nurtures excellence and inspires greatness in every child. I remain fully committed to our mission of providing outstanding education and support to the students of Yasmina British Academy, and I look forward to continuing this journey alongside our incredible school community.

What better place to be that at the heart of shaping young lives?

Starting my love of teaching in the outback of Australia, my career spans over 20 years in both the UK and within Abu Dhabi. I have taught across all Primary year groups with passion, and I have held many roles which enable me to lead in teaching and to nurture both students and teaches in their pursuit of excellence.

I have been privileged to be Head of Year, Head of Key Stage, and Director of both Upper and Lower Primary before becoming an Assistant Principal.

This passion brought me to Yasmina British Academy with my own family twelve years ago. My daughter continues to thrive here, enjoying all the academic and extra-curricular opportunities that it offers, and my son is now at university in the UK having completed his A Levels at YBA.

Achieving is more than academics. Our role as educators starts with each child and their well-being. Developing resilient learners, learners with a growth mindset and happy learners means we will develop young minds that are capable of achieving their best outcomes.

This is where I want to be – at the heart of this arena for learning – at Yasmina British Academy.

I have always been driven by a profound passion for education, with a lifelong commitment to the teaching profession. My journey began with the attainment of a Bachelor of Education degree in South Africa, after which I relocated to the United Kingdom to apply my skills and make a meaningful impact on the lives of young learners.

In London, I had the privilege of working in an inner-city school, where I found the experience both challenging and rewarding. My career progressed from classroom teacher to Head of Key Stage 1, ultimately leading to my role as Lead Practitioner across multiple schools within an Academy Trust in Surrey.

In 2017, I embraced a new opportunity to further my educational journey while immersing my family in a vibrant culture, relocating to the UAE. I joined Yasmina British Academy, an institution renowned for its outstanding educational excellence. My professional advancement at the academy has included serving as Head of Year, Director of Upper Primary, and currently, Assistant Principal.

I believe that as educators, we bear the crucial responsibility of preparing our students to thrive as future citizens. At Yasmina British Academy, we are dedicated to equipping our students with the competencies necessary to emerge as resilient, confident, and ambitious leaders of the 21st century, poised to make significant contributions to society.

With over 20 years of experience in education, I am passionate about teaching and dedicated to inspiring students to go beyond their potential. I am excited to join Yasmina British Academy, a school that shares my vision for cultivating an environment where students are encouraged to challenge their own perceptions of what they are capable of, taking ownership of their learning.

Having spent the last decade in the UAE, I bring a wealth of international experience, including previous leadership roles as Head of Secondary, Vice Principal, and Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning (FS – Year 13) in an Outstanding school in Dubai. My leadership has always centred on developing students’ confidence, resilience, and ability to embrace challenges.

As a National Professional Qualification for Headship holder and a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching in the UK, I believe in the power of education to not only provide knowledge but to ignite a lifelong love of learning. I am thrilled to contribute to the exceptional learning environment at Yasmina British Academy, working alongside talented colleagues to help every student thrive and exceed their potential.

My career in Education started in Leicester, UK, and over the past 17 years, I have been fortunate to have contributed towards the academic and personal success of students from diverse backgrounds, both in the UK and the UAE.

I joined Yasmina British Academy in 2016 and have held various responsibilities, including professional development for teachers, quality of Learning and Teaching, implementing the High-Performance Learning Framework and leading on the intervention strategy. It is both an honour and a privilege to be entrusted with leading a team of dynamic and experienced teachers in order to provide the best possible outcomes for the young people in our care.

As a school leader, a key priority is to secure world-class quality of learning and teaching which stimulates students’ intellectual curiosity, engages them in learning and enables exceptional progress. My aim is to ensure every child is enabled, encouraged and supported, and that teachers continuously engage with the latest educational research to develop pedagogically.

I arrived in the UAE with my daughter and was welcomed by an overwhelming sense of community and support; I want nothing more than to continue to nurture this spirit to ensure every single member of our community is respected and embraced as part of the YBA family.

I am delighted to introduce myself as a new addition to SLT at Yasmina. Having achieved my BSc (Hons) Degree in Sport, Health & Physical Education at the University of Wales, Bangor, I went on to complete my PGCE in Secondary Physical Education at Liverpool John Moores University. I am now joining the team from the UK after fifteen years teaching in Manchester as a Secondary Physical Education specialist. 

I am an experienced senior leader, having held a variety of roles within pastoral and curriculum operations & logistics over the last seven years. During this time I have completed the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership, exploring the positive impact of extra-curricular activity engagement on student academic outcomes. I am a strong believer in the impact of engagement in the wider-school community and extra-curricular program on developing the whole person, and I am committed to supporting all students to be the best version of themselves.

Each young person has the potential to be happy, healthy and successful in life, and I strive each day to ensure I can support young people to demonstrate a positive attitude to learning and maintain a strong work ethic so they may aspire to achieve their very best. 

This is a great new challenge for me and I am extremely excited to be joining the team to drive the curriculum offer and secure outstanding achievement for all students at Yasmina - I look forward to contributing to the future success of the school.

With over 25 years in education, starting my journey as a teacher through a Bachelor of Education degree from Exeter University, I have vast experience in the British curriculum and a passion for teaching and learning as well as developing opportunities for students to grow and be the best versions of themselves.

Throughout my time is education in both the United Kingdom and UAE my roles as Assistant and Deputy Headteacher have provided me with the ability to lead and drive forward teaching and learning innovation as well as providing students with the tools and skills to become lifelong learners. I passionately believe that students should have the support and opportunity to develop a growth mindset where they embrace challenge, learn from their mistakes, are resilient in their learning journey and fully understand the importance of effort and commitment in order to be successful in their learning and pursue their passions successfully.

Since joining in 2023 I have been proud to work with the staff and students at Yasmina British Academy creating a positive environment with the foundations of celebrating students’ success and empowering leadership for students and teachers.

With over ten years of leadership experience in Outstanding Schools in Abu Dhabi, I am an accomplished Operations & Support Services Manager (OSM) who prioritises excellence. My unwavering focus on safety and well-being encompasses a commitment to creating exceptional learning environments that prioritise quality education. The amazing team at Yasmina, who share my commitment to excellence, have played a pivotal role in my success.

As a Master's degree holder in Strategy and Project Management and a current doctoral candidate with a focus on Operations, I implement the philosophy of Kaizen and agile methodology to drive continuous improvement and excellence.

As a trusted member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), I play a critical role in creating the environment necessary for an Outstanding School. I leverage my extensive experience in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders efficiently exceeding expectations. Streamlining operations, improving processes, and implementing effective systems are key strengths I possess that support the organisation's success.

Growing up with parents who are educators in the UAE has instilled a passion for education and a commitment to providing the highest level of service.

In summary, I am committed to driving excellence within the organisation while providing exceptional service. My extensive experience, advanced education, focus on health and safety, and agile methodology make me confident in my ability to optimise our facilities and support the organisation's success.