James Heard

Founding Head of Primary at Dubai International Academy Town Square

Speaker

James Heard is the Founding Head of Primary at Dubai International Academy Town Square, where he has recently had the slightly unusual experience of opening a brand-new school from the ground up.Having worked in education for more than 20 years, including over a decade in Dubai, James has held a range of teaching and leadership roles across primary and early years education. He is particularly passionate about creating schools where high expectations, strong relationships, and a genuine sense of community sit alongside great teaching and learning.As an IB educator, James is a firm believer in inquiry, curiosity and giving children meaningful ownership of their learning, while remaining equally convinced that the simple things still matter: great teachers, clear expectations and knowing the children well.