From AI to Mock Interviews: How Al Ain British Academy Prepares Students for Life

Edarabia had the opportunity to interview Principal Ian Pugh of Al Ain British Academy to discuss the school’s plans for 2025, their approach to academic focus and new initiatives, anticipated challenges in education, strategies to keep students engaged in learning, preparing students for life after graduation, parental and community involvement in school improvement, developing a school culture that attracts and retains great teachers, and Principal Pugh’s definition of success.

1. What are your plans for 2025?

In 2025, Al Ain British Academy will be opening a new extension to our campus. Whilst it is only a modest expansion, it will bring a bespoke Computer Science lab in collaboration with Nigma Galaxy e-sports teams. This will be the first of its kind in the city of Al Ain, offering students the chance to become professional gamers and even earn a salary from gaming. We have record exam results in GCSE and A-level over the last few years, and we are excited to complement our academic success with e-gaming and future-driven tech.

2. How do you decide what to focus on academically each year, and which new ideas are you pursuing?

We live in a world where so much data analytics is available to us, and it is important we gather a 360 review of the school, annually, but also perpetually. This can range from exam results, inspection feedback, teacher feedback, student and parent voice. Education is evolving rapidly, and we also utilise educational research to inform our initiatives. An example of this is that we are currently collaborating with Aldar to potentially pilot an AI learning companion for all students in 2025-26.

3. What challenges do you anticipate in the field of education over the next 5 years?

In much of the world, there is a large – and growing – teacher shortage. Recruiting candidates to the UAE will become more difficult as the pool of teachers is shrinking, and other countries are also beginning to offer strong packages to lure the best teachers. Prospective parents evaluating schools for their children should evaluate schools on their ability to retain their teachers as much as their exam results and the facilities available.

4. How do you keep students interested in learning, especially those who struggle or seem unmotivated?

We do place a strong emphasis on learning that should be engaging and fun (there is a difference!). I am very fortunate to have a team of exceptionally talented teachers that are able to tailor the learning to students’ needs and interests. As a principal, there is nothing better than walking into a classroom and feeling that “buzz” of learning.

5. How do you help students build the skills they need for life after graduation?

At the heart of our school are our 3 values: respect, responsibility and resilience. Obviously, this looks very different for a 3-year-old as opposed to an 18-year-old preparing for university. Our older students are supported for life after school through our work experience programmes, university fair events, and mock interview practice to help them with their university applications and job prospects. Students will ultimately need to take our three values into the wider world with them.

6. How involved are parents and the community in making the school better?

Despite our record exam results, it is the community of Al Ain British Academy that really makes us special. Beyond the usual school – home events, we also host student-led conferences twice a year, which are ultimately just like ‘parents evening’ but with our students leading the conversations with their parents about their learning. Even our nursery students have this opportunity, and parents love coming in to see their child discuss their progress.

Just this morning we hosted a ‘Draw and Dine Breakfast’ where one hundred Year One students brought their mummies and daddies into school to do some art work together and share in a breakfast – I can confirm that the student’s artwork was much better than the parents. It is these events that make our school feel like a second home for our families.

7. How do you develop a school culture that attracts and keeps great teachers?

We try to be as honest with our staff as we can, even at the recruitment stage. A lot of British Schools don’t follow the British Curriculum accurately and simply use English-speaking staff. For us, we promise our staff that we will follow the curriculum as it is in the UK and that when they want to return to the UK, their own children will integrate very well back into British schools since we deliver the curriculum as intended. Our well-being committee hosts an array of events across the year. What staff need for their well-being can vary greatly from person to person. But one thing that I do always want our staff to know is that if they ever need our support, the door is open.

8. As a Principal, what is your definition of success?

I see a lot of leaders in various fields on LinkedIn caring about their own personal success. For me, the success of the school is all that matters – and mostly, that is simply that students are making outstanding progress, whilst all of us are safe and enjoy coming to school.

9. If you had the opportunity to inspire the world in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

Never be afraid to question those who try to make you feel hate or anger when there is so much beauty and love around us.