meet the team

Having graduated in Geography and Economics from University of Surrey, Ann Haydon completed her PGCE at University of Nottingham, going on to gain the National Qualification for Headship from University of London in 2007. She is a fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.

Ms Haydon served as Deputy Head at Guildford High School before taking up the position of Principal of Surbiton High School in 2008. It was during her time at Surbiton High School that Ms Haydon and her team received the ‘Outstanding Senior Leadership Team of the Year’ as well as ‘Outstanding Governing Board of the Year’ awards from Independent Schools. In 2017, Ms Haydon took on the role of Head of Harrow International School Hong Kong.

Ms Haydon was awarded a distinction in the Pearson UK Headteacher of the Year Award and gained national recognition for her work in leadership, governance, teaching and learning, and marketing in schools. In 2024, she was named on King Charles III’s New Year’s Honours List and awarded an MBE for services to British Education in the UK and Hong Kong.

Ms Haydon has served as HMC London Division Secretary, a member of the HMC Sports Committee, and International Schools representative on the HMC Communications Committee. She was a member of the United Learning Heads Reference Group working on strategic developments across a group of independent schools and academies and she has sat on the governing body of several independent schools.

Upon graduating with an Education Studies and Sports Studies (BA) degree, Gary Hancock then completed his PGCE at the University of East Anglia (UEA). He has since completed his National Qualification for Headship (NPQH) from the Institute of Education at University College London (UCL) and is a Member of the Chartered College of Teaching (MCCT).

Mr. Hancock taught in two schools in Suffolk, England before venturing abroad, with his first international post commencing at The British School of Guangzhou, China where he oversaw a variety of pastoral and academic leadership roles, including Primary Maths Leader and Head of Key Stage amongst others. He then moved to Bangkok Patana School, a leading school in Thailand and South East Asia, where he had continued to develop as a leader by taking on numerous pastoral roles during his time there.

In 2015, Mr Hancock moved to Harrow International School Hong Kong, where he held roles of Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning and then  Lower School Deputy Head - Academic, whilst overseeing the growth of the school, supporting and leading on a whole school curriculum review, the implementation of an Oracy curriculum, outstanding CIS and BSO accreditations and much more. During Mr. Hancock’s time at the school, it was regularly named in Spears School Index top 100 schools in the world and was often noted for its educational excellence and leadership.

Ben has been in the UAE since 2015, holding various executive leadership roles before becoming the Secondary Principal at GEMS Wellington – Dubai Hills. He holds a National Professional Qualification in Headship from University College London and a degree in Management and Mathematics from the University of Essex.

Passionate about fostering independent learning, Ben is committed to ensuring students develop into lifelong learners equipped with the interpersonal skills needed to build strong, lasting relationships. A keen sportsman, he has participated in many sports and is also a certified Dive Master.

As a husband and father of two, Ben enjoys travelling with his wife and children, exploring new destinations together as a family.

At the heart of his leadership is a strong focus on relationships with parents and the wider school community. Ben values the partnerships that bring a school community together and actively engages with families through coffee mornings, school events, and community gatherings at WDH.

Joanne has been an integral part of GEMS Wellington – Dubai Hills since 2016, bringing extensive experience, energy and a strong commitment to whole-child development to her role as Deputy Head: Co-Curricular & Organisation.

Throughout her time at WDH, Joanne has made a significant contribution to the development of the school, particularly through her leadership of Physical Education and sport. She has played a pivotal role in shaping an inclusive and ambitious sporting culture, strengthening opportunities for all pupils while developing high-quality performance pathways for pupil athletes.

Joanne is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for every pupil to discover their strengths, develop new skills and build confidence beyond the classroom. She believes that a rich and varied co-curricular experience is fundamental to a well-rounded education, providing opportunities for pupils to collaborate, compete, lead and challenge themselves while developing skills and qualities that will support them throughout their lives.

In her role as Deputy Head: Co-Curricular & Organisation, Joanne is focused on ensuring the wider pupil experience at WDH is purposeful, inclusive and enriching. Working closely with colleagues across the school, she helps create an environment in which academic learning is complemented by opportunities for pupils to explore their interests, develop their talents and thrive both personally and academically.