Mr Nick Hart
Principal of Horizon English School
With over 17 years of educational experience, Mr Hart joined Horizon as Principal in summer 2023. With 10+ years in senior leadership, Mr Hart has a proven track record of leading both small & large schools, including those at the forefront of innovation, and always with ambitious standards to enable all children to flourish.
Mr Hart is passionate about schools being community hubs, and in each school he has led, he has strived to establish them as the centre of the community - providing opportunities beyond the school day to develop lasting community connections.
Furthermore, Mr Hart has experience of secondary education, being one of the founding leaders of an independent Islamic school in Slough, UK which links his transition to international school leadership here in Dubai. Having written two books on educational leadership, Mr Hart has enjoyed speaking opportunities at education conferences, and has led professional development sessions in supporting other leaders and teachers to develop their practice.
Mr Martin Cole
Deputy Headteacher
Having worked as a teacher within the UK education system since 2012, Mr Cole joined Horizon in 2016. He joined as a class teacher before being promoted to Assistant Headteacher within the Senior Leadership Team where he played an integral role in taking the school to KHDA ‘Outstanding’ status in 2019.
As a trusted leader within the Horizon community, Mr Cole was appointed as Deputy Headteacher in 2022 and has continued in the role since. Whilst at Horizon, he has undertaken Master’s level study in Educational Leadership, focusing in particular on teachers’ professional development.
In his role as Deputy Headteacher, Mr Cole is responsible for whole-school teaching and learning & works alongside the teachers within the school to create the best day-to-day learning experiences for Horizon students from FS1-Year 6.
Miss Siobhan McHugh
Assistant Headteacher
Miss McHugh embarked on her journey at Horizon in 2015, initially as a class teacher in Key Stage 1. She worked as whole school Head of Maths until being appointed as Assistant Headteacher in 2019.
In this role, Miss McHugh oversees whole school assessment and leads Key Stage 1. She is dedicated in the development of early reading skills, recognising the profound impact it has on a child's educational journey and firmly believes that nurturing reading abilities from an early age paves the way for accessible learning across the curriculum. Miss McHugh is passionate about providing an inclusive education for all, working alongside the Head of Inclusion to further enhance the inclusive education at Horizon and ensuring every student feels valued, supported and empowered to reach their full potential.
Nicola believes in equipping students with the skills needed for an evolving world.
Mrs Lauren Craig
Assistant Headteacher
Mrs Lauren Craig is a passionate and experienced educator with a career spanning 10 years, 7 of which she has spent at Horizon. Originally from Glasgow in Scotland, Miss Craig moved to Yorkshire at the age of 6. Her family profoundly influenced her decision to become a teacher through their charitable initiatives in Mombasa, Africa where she witnessed the transformative power of education on children’s lives from a young age. She regularly visits and supports Mombasa, reflecting her unwavering dedication to make an impact beyond the classroom.
Mrs Craig is a recent addition to the Senior Leadership Team having previously spent the past 2 years as Head of Year 6 at Horizon. She oversees Upper Key Stage 2, specialist teaching and secondary transition.
Mr Adam Lake
Assistant Headteacher
Mr Adam Lake started his teaching career as a Year 3 teacher. In 2017, he took a significant leap by relocating to Dubai and joining Horizon English School as a class teacher. Throughout his teaching experience, Adam primarily focused teaching in Year 2 and Year 3. Soon after, Mr Lake advanced into Middle Leadership as the Head of Maths, simultaneously becoming part of the Extended Leadership team, overseeing external partnerships. Mr Lake joined the Senior Leadership team as an Assistant Headteacher in 2022 and is responsible for overseeing core subjects, partnerships, and student leadership. Within his leadership role, Mr Lake wholeheartedly strives to develop an enriched curriculum that fosters a genuine love for learning amongst the children.