Alyas Ali

Head of Schools and Executive Principal

About

I am an experienced school leader with extensive leadership experience across international and Ministry of Education schools in the UAE, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Over the past two decades, I have worked across whole-school improvement, school turnaround, inspection readiness, curriculum development, staff performance management, and strategic planning, with a strong focus on raising standards in teaching and learning. As a Principal and senior leader, I have led schools through significant improvement journeys, strengthening academic outcomes, developing leadership capacity, and building positive school cultures rooted in care, accountability, and high expectations. My experience includes working with KHDA, ADEK, BSO, and Cognia frameworks, leading inspection preparation, and implementing systems that support both educational excellence and operational sustainability. My professional goal is to continue serving as a Principal or Head of Schools where I can lead with purpose, strengthen school communities, and create environments where students, staff, and families thrive. I am particularly passionate about people-centred leadership, sustainable school improvement, and building schools where kindness and high performance work hand in hand.

Experience

Head of Schools

The Islamic School for Training and Education

2023Present

As Principal at The Islamic School for Training and Education, I provide strategic and operational leadership across all aspects of the school, ensuring high standards in teaching, learning, student wellbeing, safeguarding, and overall school performance. I lead whole-school improvement planning, staff development, performance management, and compliance with Ministry of Education requirements and external inspection frameworks. My role includes working closely with senior leaders, teachers, parents, and the Board to drive academic progress, strengthen Islamic values within the school culture, and ensure both educational excellence and operational sustainability. I oversee curriculum implementation, quality assurance, recruitment, staffing decisions, policy development, facilities development, and inspection readiness, while maintaining a strong focus on student achievement and staff development. Throughout my leadership, I have focused heavily on improving teaching and learning standards, strengthening accountability systems, developing leadership capacity, and building a school culture rooted in care, respect, and high expectations. My approach combines people-centred leadership with clear strategic direction to create an environment where students, staff, and families can thrive.

Education

Msc

International Education

University of Leicester

20192021

NPQH

Leadership

Best Practice Network

20192020