Simon Humphreys

Simon Humphreys is Deputy Headteacher (Whole School) and Designated Safeguarding Lead at GEMS Metropole School, Dubai, providing strategic leadership across safeguarding, pastoral care, standards, and whole-school culture. He plays a central role in shaping and delivering the school’s vision, ensuring that high expectations, inclusive practice, and robust safeguarding systems are embedded consistently across all phases.

With extensive experience across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5, Simon brings a strong understanding of curriculum quality, assessment, and pastoral leadership. His work is characterised by a sharp focus on academic rigour, early intervention, and data informed decision making, ensuring that students are both challenged and supported to achieve sustained success.

Simon holds a BSc (Hons) in Multimedia Technology from Leeds Beckett University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Huddersfield. Prior to joining GEMS Metropole, he held a range of teaching and middle leadership roles in high-performing secondary schools and sixth form colleges in the UK, including Head of Creative and Visual Arts and Lecturer in Media and Film Studies.

As Designated Safeguarding Lead, Simon provides strategic oversight of safeguarding and child protection, ensuring compliance with statutory guidance and best practice while promoting a culture where student welfare is a shared responsibility. He works closely with senior leaders, pastoral teams, and external agencies to ensure that safeguarding, wellbeing, behaviour, and attendance are aligned and responsive.

Simon is recognised for his calm, principled leadership and his ability to build strong professional relationships based on trust, accountability, and shared ambition. His leadership contributes directly to improved outcomes for students and to the continued development of a safe, high-performing, and values-driven school community.