Our
Principal

Sarah Isberg

Sarah has dedicated 24 years of her career to the field of education, accumulating extensive experience as a headteacher in both the State and Private sectors in the UK and the UAE. With over 18 years of headship experience, Sarah has a proven track record of leadership and accomplishment. During her time in the UK, Sarah held the position of Deputy CEO and Executive Headteacher of a UK-based academy chain, where she was also a registered inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) as well as a qualified Tribal inspector.

Sarah has worked at every level of the education sector, from local to national and has made significant contributions to Interim Executive Boards aimed at supporting schools in achieving and maintaining an outstanding rating. As a Local Leader of Education for the UK Department for Education, Sarah's expertise was sought after to guide and advise schools on best practices...

Moreover, Sarah has played an active role in the Maths field, sitting on the North West One Strategic Maths Board and being appointed as a DFE Headteacher Maths Ambassador. In her previous headship role, Sarah's leadership was instrumental in transforming an inadequate school into an outstanding one in just three years. Her success was recognised through a number of awards, both locally and nationally, and earned her high praise from Ofsted who remarked that "the impact of her work has been transformational."

Sarah's unyielding focus on achieving the highest standards in every aspect of school life is central to her educational philosophy. She has a passion for ensuring that every child has the opportunity to realise their full potential, and values high-quality learning and development for children, their families, and education professionals alike. Her commitment to achieving excellence and her belief that there are no limits to what every child can achieve drives her to facilitate opportunities that enable all learners to reach their full potential.

Our Team

Michael Hughes
Michael Hughes
Assistant Principal

With over ten years of diverse experience in education, I have developed a reputation as a dynamic and highly successful leader committed to fostering excellence in teaching, learning and school improvement.

Throughout my career, I have held pivotal roles, including Vice Principal, School Improvement Officer and Deputy Head of Primary in Outstanding schools in both the UK and UAE. These experiences have allowed me to lead with strategic vision, driving significant improvements in teaching standards, student outcomes and school culture.

I hold the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and this year, I am completing a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Management. These qualifications have enriched my ability to lead with innovation, data-driven decision-making and a strong focus on empowering teams to achieve excellence.

I look forward to collaborating with you, our Noya family, to enhance our provision and make Noya British School the best school in the UAE!

Tammy Elimlahi
Tammy Elimlahi
Head of Primary

I am Tammy Elimlahi, currently serving as the Assistant Principal for Noya British School. With over 15 years of experience in Early Years and Primary Education, I’ve built a solid foundation that fuels my journey towards impactful leadership and educational excellence. In addition to my extensive experience, I hold the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL), further enhancing my leadership capabilities.

My professional journey has been enriched by eight years of exceptional experience in Abu Dhabi, where I’ve embraced a spectrum of leadership roles. These roles have nurtured my ability to strategise, innovate, and lead with a strong focus on student achievement and teaching and learning.

Throughout my career, I’ve been at the forefront of initiatives shaping teaching and learning. I’ve successfully orchestrated the design and implementation of a number of School Improvement programmes, underscoring my drive to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and innovative teaching methodologies.

In an ever-evolving landscape, I prioritise staying abreast of cutting-edge research and best practices to ensure that my leadership approach is rooted in 21st-century skills. I aim to elevate educational standards through transformative leadership and quality-first strategies. As an educational leader, I am deeply committed to fostering a student-centric environment by prioritising personalised learning, tailoring educational experiences to individual needs and empowering students to thrive in a way that aligns with their unique strengths and interests.

My commitment to professional growth, innovative strategies, and fostering an ethos of success fuels my aspiration to bring about a positive impact in the realm of Education. As Assistant Principal, I am a driving force for growth, embodying a vision for educational excellence at Noya British School.

Michelle Cronin
Michelle Cronin
Head of Key Stage 1

My name is Michelle Cronin and I am delighted to be Head of Key Stage 1 at Noya British School. I am married with one child, and I am originally from Ireland. I graduated in 2012 with a BA Honours Degree in Primary Education with QTS at Trinity Saint David’s University, Wales, UK, before moving to London to begin my teaching career. I relocated to the UAE in 2015 and thoroughly enjoyed familiarising myself with new cultures and traditions. My passion and leadership skills led to three internal promotions where I loved taking on new and rewarding roles. At my most recent school, I was a proud member of the Senior leadership team where I got to work with wonderful students, staff and families from all over the world. I have had many happy years working in the UAE and I take great pride in representing and leading within a school community, with the children at the heart of all decisions.

My priority is to develop a nurturing and inspiring environment where children feel safe, valued and eager to embark on their educational journey. I aspire to instill in every child a sense of wonder and excitement with engaging, creative and personalised lessons. Together, with the incredible Primary team, we aim to cultivate an inclusive school where students thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

I very much look forward to meeting with you and having the chance to show you what our school has to offer.

Michelle Cronin
Ayesha Mirza
Head of Key Stage 2

I am Ayesha Mirza, Head of Key Stage 2. I am very excited to be part of the founding team at Noya! I have a BA (Hons) first class degree in Childhood Studies and a PGCE specialising in Primary education. I am originally from England, in the UK. With ten years of teaching experience, I have quickly progressed to roles of responsibility as a middle leader where I have led subjects for the last six years. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching pupils in Birmingham primary schools from various backgrounds and needs, collaborating with colleagues and working with parents. I have extensive experience teaching pupils in Key Stage 2 and pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) needs. My passion for excellence has led to high levels of pupil progress, two internal promotions as a subject leader and an additional role as a Specialist SATS marker. Over the last three years, I have been employed as a Specialist Reading SATS Marker for Key Stage 2 national tests in England

As a middle leader, I have developed the curriculum for Music and Science, improved assessment strategies, introduced new teaching strategies and ensured that my subjects were progressive throughout the Key Stages. I have improved teaching practices and have worked with colleagues to raise attainment levels. I have also led a Peer Review of Science including two other schools which was extremely successful. Due to my strong leadership skills, I have successfully mentored/supported teaching students (BA) and Early Career Teachers (ECTs) and when needed, experienced teachers with planning and delivering high quality lessons rich in learning opportunities.

As Head of Key Stage 2 at Noya, I aim for excellence, creativity and endeavor to instill a passion for learning in all pupils. I look forward to seeing all pupils flourish, reach their fullest potential and thoroughly enjoy school life. I aim to ensure a nurturing, progressive environment where pupils feel safe to take risks, grow and further challenge themselves. I will work closely with pupils to promote good values, mutual respect for all and an intrinsic motivation to succeed. With a team of carefully selected, highly ambitious teaching staff, I will ensure all pupils make good and or excellent progress through high quality education. In order to achieve success, it is vital that parents and carers are fully involved with their child’s education. I look forward to the opportunity of working with parents and the wider community to achieve success together.

Amani Saleh
Rebecca Bristow
Head of Inclusion

I am Rebecca Bristow and as Head of Inclusion at Noya British School, I am deeply committed to supporting the wellbeing of all students and ensuring that each child feels positive about themselves and their learning journey. With over 12 years of experience working with pupils with additional needs across a variety of settings, I have developed a strong understanding of diverse learning styles and the importance of inclusive practices that enable every child to reach their full potential.

I completed my teaching qualifications in the UK, holding a degree in Education from University College London and a PGCE from Kingston University. These experiences have equipped me with the skills and insights needed to foster an environment where all students, regardless of their learning needs, can thrive.

I believe that school life is a crucial part of each child’s growth and development and I place great importance on working collaboratively with families to create a positive, productive experience for every student. My commitment to inclusion extends to every child I work with and I strive to promote a holistic, nurturing environment that supports their academic and emotional wellbeing.

I am proud to be part of Noya British School, where our focus is on building an inclusive community and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed and flourish.

Ayesha Mirza
Mai Al Zubi
Head of MOE Subjects

I hold a degree in Arabic Language and Literature from the University of Mota in Jordan, a Professional Diploma in Teaching from Abu Dhabi University, and a Diploma in Advanced Instructional Leadership from the Queen Rania Teacher Academies. I am originally from Jordan but moved to the UAE in 2004. I have worked in a variety of schools in Abu Dhabi and am looking forward to joining Noya British School in August.

As the Head of MOE Department at Noya British School, we, as a team, strive to deliver an exceptional educational experience that seamlessly integrates education with real-world application. With years of collective experience and collaborative efforts, we aim to cultivate an interactive and inspiring learning environment for our students. Our vision is to embed education deeply into everyday life, empowering our students to understand Arabic language more profoundly and apply it confidently across various domains. We are an integral part of the learning and growth journey at Noya School, working together towards success and excellence.