Simone Shaikh

Welcome to Year 2! I'm Ms. Simone, your class teacher and Head of Year 2, and I'm thrilled to have you join our learning adventure. With fourteen years of experience in education and a genuine passion for guiding young minds, I'm excited to begin my ninth year here at GFS. Originally from Pune, India, I embarked on my educational journey with degrees in Sociology and Education, further enriched by an IPGCE from the University of East London. As one of the founding teachers at GFS, I've had the privilege of teaching in both Year 1 and Year 2, as well as serving in roles such as Assistant Head of Year 2 and Lead Practitioner for Teaching Assistants. My commitment to education has been recognized through accolades such as 'The Mariama Varkey Award' for Inspirational Teaching and the 'SchoolsCompared.com Top Schools Award' for Primary School Teacher of the Year. It was truly humbling to receive the Yalla Schools- 8th Amazing Teacher Award in 2022 and to be named a finalist for the Tes awards for International Schools- Leadership category. As we embark on this academic journey together, I eagerly anticipate collaborating with your child, fostering their academic and personal growth in a safe, positive, and inclusive learning environment. Here's to making this year an unforgettable experience for all of us! Welcome aboard!