School Leadership
BA (Hons), PGCE, NPQH
Mr. Nicholas Gunn joins Kuwait English School with over 25 years of teaching and leadership experience across the entire 3-18 age range. He brings to Kuwait a wealth of experience from headship positions in top-tier schools in the UK, the Middle East and Asia. Most recently, as Headmaster of King's College Riyadh, Nicholas oversaw the successful launch and rapid growth of Saudi Arabia's first British Independent school. Prior to this, he was head of King's College Doha, leading the school to achieving the Qatar National School's Accreditation in the fastest time on record. He has also held Headships in Japan and the UK.
Further to being educated at Brighton College, Mr. Nicholas completed a degree in surveying, a Post Graduate Certificate of Education and holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship. An experienced school inspector, he is a keen advocate of school improvement and child-centered learning. Further to the above, he has both supported and led numerous schools through a range of accreditations and school improvement projects.
Shane Watson brings over 15 years of teaching and leadership experience to their role as Director of Learning and Teaching. Holding a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology from Staffordshire University, UK, and a BSc in Science and Education with majors in Biology and Chemistry, Shane combines strong academic expertise with a deep commitment to effective pedagogy.
Their research background includes a published paper in the Journal of Biomedical Sciences, reflecting both a passion for scientific inquiry and a dedication to advancing knowledge. Over the course of their career, Shane has taught across a range of schools in Jamaica and the UK, gaining valuable international experience and insight into diverse educational contexts.
As Director of Learning and Teaching, Shane is focused on driving innovation in the classroom, supporting teachers in delivering high-quality instruction, and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
At the heart of their approach is a clear philosophy: every child can learn, every child must learn, and above all, we teach people, not just subjects. This belief underpins his leadership and his commitment to nurturing both academic excellence and the personal growth of every learner.
.EMBA, CPC
Faten Alkadiri holds an honors degree in Finance and IT. She also holds a Master's Degree in Executive Business Administration from the American University of Sharjah (AUS). Her career in HR started at AUK where she stayed 12 years before moving to Kuwait English School with a mission of building the HR Department. Faten is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) focusing on Corporate Executive Leadership and starting SMEs. She recently qualified as a Certified People Analytics for HR (PAHR) from Human Capital Institute HCI.
BA (Hons), MA, PGCE
Michael Hassan holds an Honours degree in Music from the University of Leeds where he received a scholarship and gained his PGCE from the University of Huddersfield. He was nominated for a UK Teaching Award for his practice early in his career. He worked at a number of leading schools in England before moving to Kuwait English School in 2010. Michael has held a number of leadership positions at the school and is also a qualified development lead in the Teaching Effectiveness Enhancement Programme.
BA (Hons), MA, Ed.S
Usman Hussain is a dedicated educator and school leader with a passion for both teaching and guiding schools forward. He holds an Educational Specialist degree with Principal Licensure in Educational Leadership and Administration from Concordia University–St. Paul (2014–2015), as well as a Master of Arts in Education from Christian Brothers University (2007–2009), where he was also part of the Men’s Soccer team. He further earned a Master’s in Elementary Education (K–6) and began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Community Studies from Manchester Metropolitan University (2001–2005).
Now in his seventh year working in Kuwait, Usman blends classroom experience with leadership training and is committed to creating school environments where both students and staff can thrive.
Kismet Alzuhair is an accomplished educator with a wealth of experience in the field of early childhood education. She earned her BA from the University of Arizona, and further honed her expertise by obtaining a diploma in Childhood Psychology and Inclusion. For over 3 decades, Kismet has been a member of the Kuwait English School community, and she has worn many hats during her tenure, serving as a teacher, Year Head, Deputy Head, and currently holding the position of Head Teacher at the Early Years Department.
Dominique Hill holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from De Montfort University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Sunderland. She has also attained her SENCO Level 7 qualification. Dominique has been a dedicated member of Kuwait English School for 13 years, where she has served in various leadership capacities, including Senior Coordinator and Deputy Head, within the Green Unit. Her extensive experience is marked by her commitment to supporting students in achieving their full potential.
