School Leadership

Whole School Leadership

Nicholas Gunn

Head of School

BA (Hons), PGCE, NPQH

Mr. Nicholas Gunn joins Kuwait English School with over 25 years of teaching and leadership experience across the 3–18 age range. He has held headship positions in leading schools in the UK, Middle East, and Asia, including King’s College Riyadh and King’s College Doha. Educated at Brighton College, he holds a degree in Surveying, a PGCE, and the NPQH. An experienced school inspector, Nicholas is deeply committed to school improvement and fostering child-centered learning environments.

Secondary School Leadership

Michael Hassan

Secondary School Head Teacher

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.

Usman Hussain

Primary School Head Teacher

BA (Hons), MA, Ed.S

Usman Hussain is a dedicated educator and school leader committed to excellence in teaching and learning. He holds an Educational Specialist degree with Principal Licensure from Concordia University–St. Paul, a Master of Arts in Education from Christian Brothers University—where he also played on the Men’s Soccer team—and a Master’s in Elementary Education (K–6). With a BA in Applied Community Studies from Manchester Metropolitan University, and seven years of experience in Kuwait, he fosters school environments where students and staff thrive.

Kismet Alzuhair

Head of Early Years Teacher

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

Green Unit Head Teacher

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.

Primary School Leadership

Early Years Leadership

Green Unit Leadership

Learning and Teaching Leadership

Shane Watson

Director of Learning and Teaching

BSc, MSc

Shane Watson brings over 15 years of teaching and leadership experience to his role as Director of Learning and Teaching. He holds a Master’s in Molecular Biology from Staffordshire University and a BSc in Science and Education, majoring in Biology and Chemistry. With international experience in Jamaica and the UK, Shane combines academic expertise with a passion for innovation. Guided by the belief that every child can learn, he is committed to excellence in teaching and holistic student growth.

Gemma Pearson

Director of Wellbeing

BSc (Hons), MSc, PGCE

Gemma Pearson joins Kuwait English School from the U.K. with extensive experience in psychology, education, and mental health. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Manchester, an MSc in Forensic Psychology, and a PGCE from the University of Central Lancashire. With a background in Early Years and clinical practice, she has supported children, adolescents, and adults in various settings. As Director of Well-being, Gemma is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and empowered.

Faten Alkadiri

Head of Human Resources

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.