Meet the team

Welcome to Al Bateen Academy. My name is Simon Murphy, and I am delighted to be the Primary Principal of such a vibrant and family orientated learning community.
Initially, from the UK, I have significant school leadership experience both at home and within the UAE. Most recently, this has included leading a whole school change project alongside Harvard University’s Project Zero department.
Al Bateen is a nurturing environment for our students, where they enjoy their learning and feel comfortable. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than seeing our students arrive at school, bright-eyed, enthused and eager to learn. My passion for education is to put the choices & decisions for learning into the hands of our students and empowering them to inquire and make choices on what interests them. As a result of this, I am a firm advocate for the world-leading International Baccalaureate PYP curriculum that we offer our students. Through its blended approach to learning and critical learner profile attributes, we will inspire students to become risk-takers who are open-minded, principled and reflective.

I completed my PGCE in Geography at Keele University. The first 8 years of my teaching career were in Mansfield, England, specialising in delivering History and Geography at KS3,4 and 5, while also taking a keen interest in pastoral care as Head of Year 9.
I joined Al Bateen Academy in the summer of 2014 as Head of Year 8, before becoming Head of Year 7 and Transition Coordinator. In 2017 I took on a role in the schools extended leadership team before being appointed Head of Lower School. I have completed Penta school inspection training and in April 2019, I was appointed as Assistant Principal with responsibility for Teaching, Learning and CPD. I currently line manage the MOE subjects at Al Bateen Academy as well as ICT and teaching staff in leadership roles.
My passions within school are broad, ranging from teaching and learning through to pastoral care. In my current role I am looking to develop evidence-based teaching and learning strategies which support students to become highly successful learners in an ever-changing world.

I have been at Al Bateen Academy since August 2013 and have had the greatest privilege in leading and developing the Drama Department for the last 8 years and being a member of the Extended Leadership Team.

I have always valued the importance of being a lifelong learner and developing my knowledge and skills within the field of education. This then led me to complete a Masters (MA) in ‘Leading Innovation and Change,’ and the National Qualification of Senior Leaders (NPQSL).

I have always had a passion for teaching and learning and strive to provide students with innovative and challenging learning experiences, that develop students’ individual strengths and passions and enable them to continuously grow and learn. I believe that this an exciting time for education and an opportunity to embrace the rapid changes in technology and aim to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to able to navigate their way through an ever-changing technological world.

I believe in the importance of a collaborative working environment, where we share a common goal in supporting all students to recognise that they have the potential to achieve the very best. Thus, enabling students to make connections to the real world and grow to become well-rounded and open-minded international citizens of the 21st century.