Our Team
Aspen Heights British School staff recognise the responsibility and the privilege of developing and supporting your child to be the best they can be. Our staff care. They work incredibly hard to get to know your child’s strengths and their hopes, dreams and aspirations, enabling them to facilitate a truly personalised education.
Our learning community extends to our staff; we are on a constant quest for personal and organisational improvement, supported by bespoke training and professional development for all staff.
Emma Shanahan
Principal

Emma Shanahan
Principal
Mrs Emma Shanahan has worked in education for almost 25 years, starting as a primary school teacher in London. A graduate of the University of Durham, Emma considers herself a 'lifelong learner', being awarded NPQH (National Professional Headship Qualification) in 2013, and receiving a MA (ed)(distinction) from Liverpool Hope University in 2016.
She has held strategic leadership roles in high performing schools both in the UK and internationally, with significant Middle-East regional experience. The impact of Emma’s leadership is regional, and externally validated with her school being graded ‘outstanding’ in every category in the unified inspection framework in 2015-16.
Passionate, focussed and ambitious, Emma has exceptionally high expectations of herself and others. She is experienced in establishing and facilitating processes for personal and organisational continuous evaluation and improvement, exemplified by the organisational attainment of the International Investors in People award.
Emma's philosophy of education is centred around building positive relationships, and
Laura Miller
Head of Primary

Laura Miller
Head of Primary
Miss Laura Miller is a dedicated and enthusiastic educational practitioner with over 14 years of teaching and leadership experience in both the UK and the UAE.
Miss Miller has been living in Abu Dhabi for the last nine years working in outstanding primary schools and more recently, supporting the transition and set-up of Aspen Heights British School, which is now in its second year.
Miss Miller really enjoys the experiences that she has encountered living here in Abu Dhabi and the relationships that she has developed within this vibrant and multicultural community.
Miss Miller believes that in order for a school to be successful in Abu Dhabi, strong community links and positive relationships are vital. She is committed to leading and supporting staff in creating an enjoyable, inspiring and personalised curriculum, as she wants all children to reach their potential and develop a real love for learning.
Helene Francis
Head of Inclusion (PODCO)

Helene Francis
Head of Inclusion (PODCO)
Adriaan Nieman
Finance Manager

Adriaan Nieman
Finance Manager
I am very enthusiastic to be the first Finance Manager for Aspen Heights.
I have 11 years’ experience within the finance departments of international educational institutions. All my knowledge gained will be used to make Aspen Heights an exceptional school.
Nature and the protection of our environment is close to my heart, thus it excites me to work at a school that will incorporate these values into the education of the children.
Aziza Elenany
ADEK & Registrations Manager

Aziza Elenany
ADEK & Registrations Manager
Aziza joined Aspen Heights British School after 15 year of experience in Customer Service, with a demonstrated history of working in education as Head of Admissions and Registrationa at other reputable schools in Abu Dhabi.
She is responsible for the Admissions department and ensuring a positive student and parent journey, providing a pleasant experience from application through to placement, while ensuring that applicants are assessed in line with the regulations and polices of ADEC, Aspen Heights British School and ISP.
She works closely with prospective families throughout the application process and developing relationships with parents is her passion.
Angela Sakapaji
Marketing & Admissions Manager

Angela Sakapaji
Marketing & Admissions Manager
Angela has 17 years marketing experience, since graduating in BA (Hons) Business Studies in Aberdeen, UK in 2001.
Working as a global Marketing Manager for an oil supply company in Aberdeen, Scotland for 11 years, Angela has experience across the sales and marketing mix. In Abu Dhabi, Angela has enjoyed marketing and customer service roles in business, relocation and a long-established British school, before joining Aspen Heights in summer 2018.
Ange is delighted to join the team at Aspen and looks forward to meeting and welcoming our current and prospective families.
Sandy Saadeh
PA to Principal

Sandy Saadeh
PA to Principal
Shabnam Ranny
Head of Mathematics and Key Stage 2 Leader

Shabnam Ranny
Head of Mathematics and Key Stage 2 Leader
After achieving a BA (Hons) in Professional Childhood Studies and GTP, Shabnam taught for 10 years in schools across Birmingham, UK. Her experience in these schools enabled her to develop skills to cater for various individual needs, as she believes that all children have the right to personalised and high-quality education.
Miss Ranny held a senior leadership role in the UK, supporting teachers' professional development and monitoring children's progress. As Global Learning leader at her school, Ms Ranny organised whole school events and charity events, and adapted lessons to look at global issues.
For many years Shabnam wanted to work in an international organisation so she was thrilled at the opportunity to work in Abu Dhabi. At Aspen Heights, she is now working within the leadership team to drive the school forward. She has her own Year 6 class and she is responsible for Key Stage Two.
Leanne Faulkner
Head of English and Key Stage 1 Leader

Leanne Faulkner
Head of English and Key Stage 1 Leader
Miss Leanne Faulkner has been a primary teacher for 7 years after graduating from Worcester University with a PGCE. Before this she studied English at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland for three years. She taught across all primary ages in schools in the UK before moving to Abu Dhabi in August 2017.
Leanne has a particular passion for engaging children in phonics, reading and writing and has had some fantastic opportunities to work with Pie Corbett, who created the Talk 4 Writing approach to learning. She has been able to implement this in schools in England and is now very much enjoying doing the same at Aspen Heights British School.
Driven and passionate about the progress of children, Leanne works hard to ensure her colleagues are supported and that the children’s learning in all subject areas is a top priority.
Martine McLuskey
Class Teacher - FS1

Martine McLuskey
Class Teacher - FS1
Over the last 13 years, Martine has continually strived to gain experience and knowledge in order to help her to have a stronger understanding of the teaching profession. She has held various roles in early years settings and primary schools, these being; Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Setting Based SENCO, Behaviour Co-ordinator and now Teacher. During her employment in these roles, she also studied to obtain a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and a Master's Degree in Education.
Although classroom learning and development is at the forefront of a child’s education, Martine is a firm believer in providing pupils with the skills to communicate in the wider world. Her experience in the UK has given her the opportunity to instill understanding and cohesion of different cultures in her teaching. An inclusive curriculum that gives all children an opportunity to learn is vital.
Dhanya Jayakrishnan
Year 2 - Year 5 Learning Assistant

Dhanya Jayakrishnan
Year 2 - Year 5 Learning Assistant
Ouassila Knani
Head of Arabic and Islamic

Ouassila Knani
Head of Arabic and Islamic
Miss Ouassila Knani has been a primary teacher for 15 years. After graduating from university in Tunisia in 2000, she completed a Bachelor's degree in Education from Al Hosn University in Abu Dhabi. She has taught across all primary ages in schools in Abu Dhabi.
Ouassila has a passion for engaging children in reading, writing and speaking in Arabic; she has some fantastic teaching strategies to use in the classroom. She has implemented these strategies in an outstanding school in Abu Dhabi, and is now very much enjoying doing the same at Aspen Heights British School.
Ouasilla is committed to collaborating with families to ensure home and school work together to raise standards in all Arabic subjects.
Krishna Doherty
Human Resources Manager

Krishna Doherty
Human Resources Manager
Krishna Doherty has over 15 years’ of human resources experience including: recruitment and retention, change management, salary administration, performance management, benefits and employee relations across a number of industries.
Krishna holds a Higher National Diploma in Business Studies with Human Resource from Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College in Buckshire. She is also certified as a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in Human Resources (CIPD).
She is very passionate and enjoys helping employees reach their goals, building relationships and ensuring best HR practices. Krishna also enjoys mentoring up-and-coming HR professionals where she shares her knowledge and passion for HR.