Anu Gopan

I am so pleased to introduce myself to you all as Acting Assistant Headteacher – Pastoral and Head of Key Stage Four in the Secondary phase at GEMS Cambridge International Private School, Sharjah. My name is Parveen Nawab and this is my third year at GCS where I have previously held the responsibilities of Senior Leader, Head of English, and Head of Year 11, which have allowed me to understand our Secondary students’ needs within and beyond the classroom. 

I am originally from London, United Kingdom, and have been teaching and leading teams for fourteen years in a range of British and international schools. Following my BA studies, I trained for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education for English Teaching and gained a Master of Arts degree from British universities. I have since continued my professional development by completing a variety of courses, and am currently studying for the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership through GEMS Education.

Similarly, I believe learning is a lifelong journey for the young people I teach. I am excited to contribute to a culture of high expectations, engagement, and support for all students here at GCS, with a particular focus on pastoral care for all secondary students, as well as bespoke learning experiences for our Key Stage Four cohort. Additionally, as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, I am responsible for ensuring students’ wellbeing and safety are prioritised at all times. Furthermore, as Teacher of English and Head of Literacy, I believe that a high command of the language unlocks the greatest barriers to learning across the curriculum, and linguistic mastery not only allows young people to express themselves formally and creatively but also gives them access to cultures around the world and widens their future career opportunities.

I look forward to building lasting, positive relationships with parents and students so that our students can develop as well-educated and well-rounded individuals, ready to embrace a broad range of future opportunities.