MEET THE TEAM
OUR
PRINCIPAL
Ian Pugh
Originally from Shropshire in the United Kingdom, I am delighted to be joining Muna British Academy and relocating to Abu Dhabi with my family.
I have worked in education for more than 20 years, including over 15 years in school leadership. For the past seven years I have been part of Al Ain British Academy, serving as Principal for the last four years. During that time, I had the privilege of leading an exceptional team, supporting students to achieve outstanding outcomes and helping the school strengthen its reputation for excellence, innovation and community.
As I begin this new chapter at Muna, my ambition is simple: to build on the school’s outstanding legacy while ensuring every child feels happy, challenged and inspired every single day. I want Muna to be a school where children love coming to learn, parents feel a genuine sense of belonging and every student is equipped with the knowledge, character and confidence to succeed in an ever-changing world.
Charlotte Clerk
Assistant Principal
I grew up in Devon, England, before moving to Cheltenham to study at the University of Gloucestershire, where I completed a BEd Honours in Primary Education. After beginning my teaching career in the UK, I relocated to Abu Dhabi in 2018, where I have had the privilege of developing my career within British curriculum education.
Since moving to the UAE, I have progressed through a variety of leadership roles, including Class Teacher, Middle Leader, Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, and most recently Primary Headteacher, leading the EYFS and Primary phases of the school for the past two years. My career progression has been driven by my passion for learning and teaching and my commitment to ensuring that every child receives the very best education possible.
I am passionate about developing well-rounded, successful learners who love coming to school each day. I believe that education should nurture not only academic success but also confidence, character, wellbeing, and a lifelong love of learning.
Alongside my teaching and leadership experience, I have completed the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) and I am a certified Leadership Coach. I am committed to supporting the growth and development of both students and staff and confidently believe that strong, positive relationships between children, families, and colleagues are the foundation of every successful school community.
I am incredibly excited to be joining the team at Muna British Academy and to have the opportunity to work within such an outstanding school. I look forward to building upon the exceptional pastoral provision already in place and further enhancing the sense of community, wellbeing, and belonging as we embrace the exciting opportunities that come with our fantastic campus at Saadiyat Lagoons.
Janine Johnston
Head of Primary
Originally from Northern Ireland, I moved to Dubai in 2008 and proceeded to stay for 15 years. Teaching and leading in three outstanding schools during this time provided me with a wealth of experience working with exceptional students and educators. I began my career as a class teacher with experience of teaching across primary. I quickly progressed into leadership roles due to my passion for helping others and bringing about positive changes for students and the whole school community. Subsequently my leadership journey began in the role as Head of Year progressing to Head of Assessment, Assistant Head and finally Deputy Head prior to my new position of Vice Principal at Muna British Academy.
Providing the best educational experiences for all students is one of my key drivers alongside ensuring all children feel safe, valued and happy while at school. In previous school settings I have had the pleasure of leading on areas including learning and teaching, assessment and curriculum design. I obtained my BA Hons degree from Queens University, Belfast. I also achieved a Masters degree in Educational leadership and management from the University of Leicester, UK. I am a firm believer in the importance of lifelong learning, and I continuously aim to learn more, improve, and develop as a teacher and leader.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year at Muna British Academy, where I have had the privilege of working alongside a dedicated team of educators who are deeply committed to fostering a culture of excellence. It has been incredibly rewarding to collaborate with staff, students, and parents to drive meaningful improvements in learning, teaching, and overall student well-being.
As Vice Principal, my focus remains on ensuring that every child receives the highest quality education in a nurturing and inspiring environment. I am passionate about empowering both students and teachers to reach their full potential, fostering a culture of curiosity, resilience, and lifelong learning.
I look forward to continuing this journey at Muna British Academy in state of the art new facilities on Saadiyat Lagoons where we will further strengthen our commitment to innovation, inclusion, and outstanding educational experiences for all.
Sandra Elizabeth Hughes
Head of Secondary
Originally from the picturesque village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll in North Wales, I completed my early education entirely through the Welsh language — something I’m incredibly proud of, and which has also helped me to better understand and support our EAL learners.
After completing my secondary education, I moved to Cardiff to study for a BSc in Mathematics at Cardiff University, before training for my PGCE at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC). My passion for mathematics was inspired by my own teachers; I have always loved that in mathematics, there’s no grey area — the answer is either right or wrong.
With over 20 years of teaching experience, my career began in South Wales, where I held a range of roles from classroom teacher to Head of Department. In 2015, I made the exciting move to Abu Dhabi, joining Aldar Academies, where I have since held several positions including Mathematics Teacher, Head of Year, and Assistant Principal.
Becoming the Founding Head of Secondary at Muna is a truly incredible opportunity – one that allows me to work alongside an outstanding team to shape a new and inspiring learning journey for our students. Together, we are building on the strong foundations established within the Primary phase, ensuring every child continues to thrive as they progress through their Muna education.
At Muna Secondary, we believe every learner deserves choice, challenge, and opportunity. I am deeply passionate about empowering students to take ownership of their learning by giving them the freedom to explore their interests and develop their strengths. Through our innovative EDGE Programme, students in Year 7 have the chance to select subjects and modules for set periods of time. This approach allows us to personalise learning, helping students to discover their passions, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to become curious, independent, and ambitious learners.
Most recently, I completed my National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), which has further enhanced my leadership skills and strengthened my vision for secondary education. Putting that learning into practice every day is both rewarding and exciting as we bring Muna Secondary to life on our brand-new Saadiyat Island campus.
I look forward to continuing this exciting journey as we shape a vibrant, inclusive, and ambitious secondary community at Muna British Academy on Saadiyat — one where every learner is inspired to achieve their full potential.
Avalon Orr
Assistant Principal
I graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2005 with a MA (Hons) in Psychology; while studying for this degree, I found I had a particular interest in Developmental and Educational Psychology and decided to go on and study Primary Education.
I completed my PGDE in Primary Education from the University of Strathclyde in 2006. I worked in inner-city primary schools in Glasgow before embarking on a wonderful experience of travelling in Asia and Australia for a year. On my return to Scotland, I decided to combine my passion for teaching and travel and move to the UAE in 2010.
I have been a proud member of the Aldar Academies family over for fourteen years, working at Yasmina British Academy and Muna British Academy. Since arriving at Muna in 2020, I have overseen our assessment programme. I am passionate in ensuring that data becomes impactful and shapes the individual education journeys of children. I believe that the children should be central to everything we do; teachers should see the learning through the eyes of their students, setting challenging goals and facilitating the students’ learning journeys so they can reach their full potential, with no cap on expectations.
I am proud to be part of the Muna British Academy community as Assistant Principal and look forward to the school’s next chapter as we move from our current site to our new home on Saadiyat Island.
Dr. Amani Zabalawi
Head of MOE
I am Dr. Amani Zabalawi, and I am honored to join Muna British Academy as the Head of the Ministry of Education (MOE) Department. My vision is to build afn outstanding department that aligns with the school’s mission, vision, and values while fostering collaboration across all academic departments to enhance student learning and achievement.
With over 19 years of educational leadership experience across North America and the United Arab Emirates, I have served as a bilingual educator, Head of MOE, Vice Principal, and Principal across Primary, Intermediate, and High School. This diverse experience has enabled me to combine international best practices with a deep respect for local culture, language, and values.
I hold a PhD in Strategic School Management, a Master’s degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Educational Leadership, a Canadian Bachelor of Education, a Diploma in Arabic Foundations, and an Ijazah in Quran Tajweed. These qualtifications equip me to lead Arabic, Islamic Education, Social Studies, and Moral Education with academic excellence while aligning them with the wider curriculum and the school’s strategic priorities.
I look forward to working collaboratively with our students, staff, and community to inspire excellence, empower teachers, and create an innovative learning environment where every student can reach their full potential.
Sirash Sidhiq
Manager – Operations and Support Services
With over 17 years of experience in various industries, including 13 years in the educational sector, my unwavering focus on safety and well-being encompasses a commitment to creating exceptional learning environments that prioritise quality education . As a trusted member of the executive leadership team, I play a critical role in creating the necessary environment for an outstanding school.
Over the past 13 years, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with wider educational groups, which has given me high levels of confidence and knowledge in delivering operational excellence. I was a founding member of a Sustainable School in Dubai, located in Sustainable City.
I hold a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in economics. Additionally, I am certified in various health and safety and Safeguarding courses. I am passionate about health and safety, sustainability, and project management.
I am incredibly proud to work at Muna British Academy and look forward to working with our construction partners to ensure the new building is built and equipped with the very best resources to ensure our hardworking teachers can continue to deliver outstanding education in our new home.