JEFF EVANS
International School Leader / CEO
PROFILE
School leader, education expert and international consultant specialized in school project
planning, growth and sustained improvement with over 29 years of successful experience in
partnership with reputable school groups, regulators and operators. Demonstrable success
in both strategic and operational leadership. Strengths include commercial, academic and
pastoral aspects of school leadership.
CONTACT--
EXPERIENCE
Managing Director - Founder, Learning Key Education, LLC: 2016 – present
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/jeff-evans-695b9131
Abu Dhabi, UAE
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EDUCATION
National Professional
Qualification for Headteachers,
UK, (Best Practice Network) 2020
Post Graduate Certificate in
Education Management
(3 x MBA modules)
University of Leicester
2006
PGCE + Bachelor of Science in
Computing, University of Wales,
Cardiff,-
Program Manager, School Development Division,
Abu Dhabi Education Council: 2011 – 2016 (executive sector level)
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Fellow of the Chartered
College of Teaching, 2023
“Best employee on site”
excellence award from the
UAE government – Abu
Dhabi Education Council
Regional Principals’
Association, founder and cochairperson, (45 schools in
the local town),-
School development for 190 private schools in Abu Dhabi emirate.
Organized and presented at a range of international and national level conferences for
investors, owners and school leaders.
Direct school improvement partner for 42 private schools encompassing 7 different
curricula, ranging from premium fee – very high performing branded UK franchise schools
to affordable Asian curriculum schools.
Reviewed and approved SDP and SEF documents - over 70 schools
Established a regional school principals’ association, 40+ schools
Researched and published an approval interview mechanism for all senior leaders – now
used across the 190+ private schools in Abu Dhabi emirate.
ACHIEVEMENTS
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AWARDS
Education consultancy – feasibility studies, technical / academic plans for new school
projects with clients from Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, Spain, Afghanistan and Russia.
Contracts with groups, owners/investors ranging from 6 months to 3 years including
governance, marketing, admissions, ROI studies and leadership and teacher enhancement
programs.
New school start-ups (Amity and Bright Learners, Dubai) and senior leadership
recruitment, mock inspections and governance.
Accreditation consultancy included (WASC + NEASC – Manor Hall International School
and ADIS, Sharjah, COBIS / BSME).
Commercial advisor to on growth and quality to owners and investors (Wales International
School, Ajyal and ABZ, Abu Dhabi).
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New school applications for highly rated UK schools – Reigate Grammar and Queen
Elizabeth (planning to open new branch campuses in the United Arab Emirates and India)
Successful school improvement consultancy: enhanced inspection ratings >85% partner
schools, on average +1 inspection level
School governor of six partner schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (includes Brighton
College, Al Ain – twice rated “outstanding”)
Co-led Duke of Edinburgh International Award Silver/Gold level trips to Thailand and
within the UAE
Annual judge at national finals of “Formula 1 in Schools”, Abu Dhabi. World Finalist
judge in 2015 and 2019. Chair of judges 2021 and 2022.
CONFERENCES – MEDIA
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Informa EdEx – led investment / new school workshops
Middle East School Leadership – presenter and panel chair
World Education Summit, UAE private school regulations
FOBISIA (East Asia), NABSS (Spain)
UAE national press, both newspaper and radio inputs on a range of topics
Currently co-authoring an educational text “Entrepreneurial Schools – Leadership
and Practice”) due to be released in 2025
JEFF EVANS
International School Leader / CEO
SCHOOL LEADERSHIP (over 20 years)
Successful leadership experience across three continents with a range of reputable UK and
IB curriculum schools from 3 to 18 years old, both private profit making and trust based
“not for profit” models.
Principal, Global English School, Abu Dhabi: 2021 – 2023
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TECHNICAL SKILLS
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Inspection Certified –
BSME, Tribal and ISI
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Accreditation preparation COBIS, WASC and BSME
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IBO, 5 year review
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Financial management –
school budgets (operational
and developmental) along
with oversight of large scale
government projects
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New school applications,
regulation and licensing
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Expertise in development
planning and accurate selfevaluation
TESTIMONIALS
(open references and
recommendations from colleagues
and previous school based
partners):
Link: https://shorturl.at/hAKY1
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Establish and deliver educational vision & values through strategic and
operational leadership School is 40 years old and offers GCSE and A levels
Diverse demographic of students with 45 nationalities
Leading on Admissions and Marketing (Enrolment increased by 25% over 2
years).
School inspection preparation and compliance
Planning, managing and monitoring all budget expenditure
Board member and Academic Advisor, LIWA Holdings UAE (Education):-
Consulting across 3 international schools operating the US curricula (California Common
Core Standards) – established and trained senior leadership teams, systems and
mechanisms for quality assurance and future growth planning. School ratings climbed to
“very good” level.
Secondary Headteacher, Al Ain English Speaking School, UAE:
2009 – 2011 (BSME and SSAT member, UK curriculum)
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Leading all areas of development in the School
Leading on the values, culture and ethos of the School
Leading on the curriculum development and standards
Assistant Head – High School and Key Stage 3,
Taipei European School, Taiwan: 2006 – 2009
(FOBISIA and IBO member, IB Diploma + UK curricula)
Secondary Headteacher –
British School of Barcelona, Spain: 2003 -2006
Headteacher of a premium branded British school (COBIS and NABSS member) with high
standards of academic results and achievements.
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Established open communication and positive relationships with students,
parents, peers and administrative staff.
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Developed positive rapport with students of various and diverse backgrounds.
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Provided warm, supportive environment for developing academic, social and
emotional growth.
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Developed communicative relationships with students and parents to support
learning.
Head of Faculty for ICT and Operations Manager, King’s College
Madrid, Spain: 1994 – 2003 (UK and Spanish curricula)
Teaching (and Part-Time Lecturer) in Computing and IT: Merthyr Tydfil and
Ystrad Mynach, Wales: 1992 – 1994 (UK, BTEC and NVQ curricula)
Long Term cover teacher for Computing and IT: Vaynor and Penderyn High
School, Cefn Coed, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales (KS3 and GCSE, 1992 – 1993)
