Dr. Armeena Tabassum serves as the vice principal and head of primary at Raffles World Academy, bringing 28 years of global experience in teaching, leadership, and management. Notably, 24 of those years have been dedicated to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme in IB-authorised world schools.

Dr. Tabassum holds a Masters in Education with specialisation in Educational Psychology as well as a PhD in Education, with a focus on Early Childhood Education.

As a trained accreditor for the Council of International Schools (CIS), IB Evaluation visitor and in her group role as a school improvement partner with Innoventures Education, Dr. Tabassum regularly visits schools to assess and evaluate them as part of their accreditation and school improvement process. She is passionate about enhancing students' academic and holistic development, raising educational standards, and improving teaching and learning practices in line with global trends and best practices.

Known for her clear vision and strategic direction and driven by her unwavering belief in the power of education to shape the future, Dr. Tabassum consistently inspires and transforms the lives of students, educators, and communities. Her leadership is instrumental in fulfilling the mission of Raffles World Academy to empower students with a rigorous, holistic, and international education for success in an ever-changing world.

As the deputy head of lower primary and IB PYP Coordinator, Yolanda is responsible for ensuring a personalised and rigorous curriculum is delivered to all students. At RWA we use the IB Primary Years Programme framework as the lens for all academic decisions in the school. Yolanda works closely with all teachers, collaboratively planning lessons and units of inquiry to produce innovative learning experiences for students.

Yolanda has been working in education for 22 years and has her Bachelor’s Degree in Education, specialising in early childhood development and foundation phase, as well as her NPQ qualification in Senior Leadership. She spent six years in RWA as a homeroom teacher and two years as a middle leader, and this academic year will be her seventh year as a part of the RWA Primary Leadership Team.

As Deputy Head of Academics in the upper primary school, Daniel is responsible for continuing to develop the quality of teaching and learning in the upper part of the primary school (Grades 3-5). Daniel also leads assessments across the primary school and is responsible for the monitoring and development of a rigorous assessment programme that enhances teaching, learning and student progress within the classroom.

Daniel has 14 years' experience as an educator, with 8 of those in the United Arab Emirates after moving from the United Kingdom; the last 6 years being spent at RWA. Daniel has a passion for teaching and learning, striving to further enhance, develop, and innovate classroom practice. Daniel holds an honours degree in History, a PGCE in Primary Education, and has been awarded the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership by the UK Department for Education.

As the Deputy Head of primary - pastoral and administration, Emily collaborates with a diverse team, including counsellors, the learning support department, and all primary teachers, to ensure that RWA offers a welcoming, caring, and safe environment where all students can thrive. She promotes strong and positive relationships among students, teachers, and parents by facilitating collaboration within and across the primary school.

Emily has 14 years of experience in education, with the last 10 years spent at RWA. Prior to her current role, she taught Physical Education and served as the Head of Department. Her true passion lies in the pastoral field, where she is dedicated to supporting student engagement with learning.

Pam Parasram hails from Durban, South Africa and moved to Dubai in 1996. She has over twenty two years of IB teaching experience across both the Middle and Diploma programmes across two leading IB schools in Dubai. She has rich multicultural experience working with students and parents across almost 86 different nationalities. Her appointments include: Head of English where she led the department to an Outstanding KHDA rating; Diploma Coordinator for 7 years and Deputy Head - Academics for three years at Dubai International Academy. Her key roles include raising student attainment and preparing staff and students for inspections and evaluation visits.

She has been a dedicated member of the Raffles World Academy community for the past two years, now serving as the Head of Secondary School. Her commitment to raising the quality of teaching and learning, continuously enhancing the curriculum, and closely monitoring the work of middle leaders and their teams has been instrumental in driving student success. Under her leadership, the secondary school is dedicated to ensuring that each student progresses from their starting point, maximising their potential and achieving outstanding outcomes.

Shagufta, who joined Raffles World Academy in 2014, is a passionate and inspiring IB educator. With a career spanning almost two decades, Shagufta considers herself a lifelong learner and is an active member of the IB Educator Network (IBEN), facilitating workshops and sharing her expertise.

Inspired by the IB’s mission and philosophy, Shagufta believes that IB education represents the future of learning. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and management and brings 12 years of leadership experience from schools within and outside the UAE. Now serving as the Deputy Head of Academics at RWA, Shagufta is dedicated to fostering an environment where effective leadership can transform a motivated and productive team into a dynamic and high-achieving community. She identifies strongly with collaborative and transformational leadership models, believing that leaders should inspire, motivate, and encourage both teachers and students to achieve greatness. Shagufta's approach to leadership emphasises the importance of building strong, supportive relationships within the school community.

In her free time, Shagufta enjoys cooking and spending quality time with her two wonderful boys, who have profoundly influenced her both personally and professionally. With her extensive experience and commitment to educational excellence, Shagufta continues to make a significant impact at Raffles World Academy.

Stephen Pinto joined Raffles World Academy in 2010 as an IGCSE and IBDP biology teacher and has made significant contributions to our community ever since. He initially served as the Cambridge IGCSE coordinator and exams officer from 2011 to 2014. In 2016, he took on the role of Head of the Science Department while continuing as the IGCSE exams officer.

Stephen, who holds a Master’s in Animal Physiology and Education, has extensive teaching experience spanning 20 years across various curricula including ICSE, IGCSE (Edexcel), AS and A-level, IGCSE (Cambridge), and IBDP. An IBDP examiner and team leader, and an IGCSE examiner, Stephen brings much knowledge and expertise to his roles.

For the past four years, Stephen has been the IBDP Coordinator, following his tenure as the Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator. In his current role, he and his team oversee the implementation of the IBDP at RWA. Stephen is passionate about curriculum development and assessment and works closely with heads of departments to ensure the highest standards and practices are maintained. His leadership in the IBDP is instrumental in preparing our students for their future academic and professional endeavors.

Maria Sayyed, the IBCP/BTEC Coordinator and Head of the Business department at Raffles World Academy, is a seasoned educator with a wealth of experience specialising in Business and Economics.

Armed with a Master's in Economics from Mumbai University and an iPgCPP from Liverpool Hope University, UK, Maria's academic journey reflects her dedication to knowledge and expertise. She is also an IB examiner for Economics, Global Head of IB Business content creation, Country Head for the World Economics Cup, and an accomplished author in Business and Economics.

Maria's passion lies in inspiring students to explore diverse fields and excel professionally. Her vision is to elevate the IBCP to new heights, instilling curiosity and global perspectives among students and empowering them to become trailblazers in their respective domains. Under her leadership, the IBCP at Raffles World Academy combines academic rigour with practical experience, offering students a comprehensive education that prepares them for the complexities of the modern business world. Maria works closely with her team to deliver a challenging and engaging curriculum. She ensures that the highest standards and practices of the IBCP and BTEC programmes are implemented, fostering an environment where students can thrive. With Maria at the helm, the students at Raffles are bound to flourish and make a significant impact in the world.

Ruth graduated from the University of Hull with an Honours degree in History and more recently with an MA in Politics. Ruth began teaching in 2006, first in England and then internationally. Ruth has been involved in Pastoral leadership since finishing her NQT year and has held various responsibilities in schools from Head of Year/Key Stage to Anti-Bullying Coordinator. Ruth has a passion for both History and Politics and loves discussing these with the students encouraging them to think critically and engage with the world around them.

Ruth believes the role of a Pastoral lead is to ensure that all students at RWA fulfil their potential and that all roadblocks or challenges can be overcome. She will work to ensure that all students are healthy, happy and achieving at RWA.

Niamh Byrnes joined Raffles World Academy in 2017 as an experienced teacher from Ireland. Niamh’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Economics and History and a Professional Masters of Education in Secondary Education. Niamh has now also recently completed her Masters in Educational Leadership.

Being a skillful IB educator and examiner, Niamh is passionate about leading learning in the MYP programme, as well as helping students to develop the characteristics of the IB Learner Profile that are necessary for success in an ever-changing world. Alongside her academic expertise, Niamh has a wealth of pastoral experience, which provides for a deep commitment to student well-being and development. Niamh believes the academic, social, and emotional development of young learners is of utmost importance in helping students excel in their educational journey. Niamh is excited to continue working with our middle school students to help them achieve their personal and academic goals as well as fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages growth, curiosity, and a love for learning.