Principal
Mr Stewart J Cowden
Mr Cowden leads The ENGLISH Academy with a focus on enabling every student to fulfil their potential — building resilience, confidence and a global perspective from KG through to Post-16.
Our team
The people who lead TEA.
From our Governing Board to our school leadership team, the leaders of The ENGLISH Academy bring decades of experience to setting strategy, upholding standards, and shaping daily school life.
Governing Board.
The Governing Board manages and directs TEA, setting the strategic vision and upholding educational excellence.
Chairperson
Mrs. Adelah Musaed Al Sayer
Vice Chairman
Mr. Fawaz Salem Al Mudhaf
Board Member
Mr. Bader Musaed Al Sayer
Board Member
Mr. Nasser Musaed Al Sayer
General Manager
Ms. Khaledah Al Mudhaf
School Leadership.
The dedicated leaders who manage the day-to-day excellence of The ENGLISH Academy.
Head of Secondary
Mr Desmond O'Connor
BSc, PGCE, MSc, MA
Mr O'Connor guides students through Key Stage 3, IGCSE and preparation for Sixth Form, promoting high academic standards, purposeful routines and personal responsibility across all year groups.
Head of Primary
Ms Blathnaid Dobbins
Ms Dobbins leads the Primary team in building strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, science, creativity and character, working closely with class teachers to ensure every child is known, supported and challenged.
Head of Early Years
Ms Vada Gospel
Ms Gospel leads the Foundation Stage, creating a warm, play-based environment where young children develop communication, curiosity, independence and a love of learning from their very first days at TEA.
Head of Sixth Form
Ms Fatima Tribak
Ms Tribak supports A-Level study, university guidance, leadership opportunities and the transition into higher education, encouraging students to become independent, reflective and ambitious learners.
Head of Administration
Mrs Randa Samir
Mrs Samir leads the administration team, supporting the smooth running of the campus, facilities and parent-facing services to ensure that teaching and learning take place in a safe and well-organised environment.
Mr Stewart J Cowden
Principal
The ENGLISH Academy
A Message from Our Principal
“We look forward to welcoming you to TEA.”
At TEA every member of staff is driven by a passion to ensure each and every student has a happy and successful school experience. We are focussed on enabling each student to fulfil their potential, so that when they leave us, they are resilient, confident and assured young people able to succeed in the 21st Century world, possessing a global perspective.
This is particularly pertinent since many of our students join at a very early age, as TEA is an all-through school, catering for students from KG to Post-16. We combine a strong emphasis on traditional values of behaviour, instil a work ethic of determination and respect, which all sits within a framework of care and support for our students.
We believe in treating every student as an individual, making sure nobody gets 'left behind.' We have structures and processes that not only give each student a sense of identity but allows for their well-being and academic progress to be well supported. Working closely with each student and having excellent communication between school and home is also key to ensuring that students thrive and go beyond their best.
In addition to the focus on academic achievement and well-being we believe that enriching learning outside of the classroom is essential to a happy school life. To this end we offer a wealth of after school clubs that are inclusive and offer a wide variety of choice, ensuring all student interests are catered for.
We also pride ourselves on the exceptional sport, art, nutrition and music departments where enjoyment, participation and performances are all encouraged. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and Model United Nations.
The school motto, Sapientia, Scientia, Diligentia clearly characterises all that TEA stands for — Wisdom, Knowledge, Diligence. We look forward to welcoming you to TEA in the very near future.