Mr Colin Spanos

Colin, as a member of the Senior Leadership team, holds the role of Secondary Assistant Principal, Teaching and Learning at GEMS World Academy. He has provided further opportunities for staff to engage in professional development such as coordinating weekly ‘Teaching and Learning Bites’ presentations and monthly lunch time ‘Chew on This’ academic research discussions. Colin carries out regular ‘Learning Walks’ with the Directors of Learning at GWA to identify best practice in Teaching and Learning and ensure high quality academic provision for all students. He line manages Mathematics, Science, Gifted and Talented, Inclusion and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) which provides him with a variety of challenge.

Prior to living in Dubai, Colin was the Head of Key Stage 5/Sixth form at international school in Kuala Lumpur. Under his guidance, academic outcomes were the top in Malaysia and student well-being was a primary focus. Colin also spent eight years at the largest international school organisation in Hong Kong in a variety of leadership roles. In his final two years in Hong Kong he took on the additional responsibility of working across seven secondary schools as a Curriculum Coordinator with a focus on Teaching and Learning in the International Baccalaureate.

Colin holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Leicester University where he was the top student in his cohort. His academic paper on 'The Role of Leadership in International School Achievement' was published in 2018. Colin also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and Qualified Teacher Status from Bristol University. He began his teaching career in the first academy school in London where he became a Pastoral Leader and Head of Mathematics. He subsequently held the role of Assistant Principal at an IB school in Central London which received numerous national accolades including 'Times Educational Supplement (TES) School of the Year'.

Colin is passionate about Service Learning and believes that education should nurture critical thinking, creativity and curiosity. He enjoys sports such as swimming and football and lives in Dubai with his wife and three children.