2026 - 2027 Admissions now open
For students joining FS1 to Year 12
We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Thomas Kinnersley at NAS Abu Dhabi.
Mr Kinnersley will join NAS Abu Dhabi from Compass International School Doha in Qatar, where he is currently Head of Secondary. In this role, he leads provision across two campuses, with a focus on high-quality teaching, strong pastoral care, and a consistent experience for students.
He will succeed Liam Cullinan, who will return to the UK at the end of the academic year. Liam has played an important role in shaping NAS Abu Dhabi’s story, leading the school through a period of significant growth, community building, and achievement. Mr Kinnersley’s appointment marks the next step in that journey, with a clear commitment to continuity, care, and continued progress for every student.
Mr Kinnersley’s appointment also reflects Nord Anglia’s focus on growing strong leaders from within its global family of schools. With a deep understanding of Nord Anglia’s values, culture, and approach to teaching and learning, he is well placed to build on the strong foundations already in place at NAS Abu Dhabi.
Mr Kinnersley brings more than 10 years’ senior leadership experience across the Middle East and the UK. He holds a Master’s degree in International Education from King’s College London and has completed Nord Anglia’s Aspiring Principal Leadership Programme. At Compass, he has led sustained improvements in academic performance through high-quality teaching, curriculum planning, and the effective use of data. He has also played a key role in strengthening school culture, building high-performing teams, and creating the conditions for students to feel supported, challenged, and ready for their next steps.
His experience closely matches NAS Abu Dhabi’s ambition to offer a broad, balanced education that supports both academic success and personal growth. He has led the growth of Sixth Form provision, creating clear pathways that help students progress to leading universities worldwide.
Elizabeth Lamb, Regional Managing Director, Middle East at Nord Anglia Education, said: ‘Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi is a strong and ambitious school, with a clear focus on delivering an outstanding all-round education for every student. Thomas is a values-led leader who understands Nord Anglia schools and what makes them successful. He combines a sharp focus on academic outcomes with a genuine commitment to student wellbeing and strong relationships. We’re confident he will lead the school with clarity and purpose as it continues to grow and develop.’
Mr Kinnersley said: ‘Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi is a school with a strong sense of community and clear ambition for its students. I’m excited to build on that, working closely with staff, students, and families to ensure every child feels supported, challenged, and inspired to succeed. I’m very much looking forward to joining the school and serving the Abu Dhabi community.’
To support a smooth and thoughtful transition as we look ahead to our next chapter, we’ll be pleased to welcome Mr Kinnersley again in June, as he continues to learn about our school and get to know students, families, and staff before he takes up his role in August 2026.
As he prepares to step into this role, we wish Mr Kinnersley every success and look forward to welcoming him fully into the NAS Abu Dhabi community. We’re excited for the journey ahead and confident that, under his leadership, our school will continue to grow as a place where students, staff, and families feel happy, supported, and proud to belong.
For more information about our school, get in touch with us at admissions@nasabudhabi.ae .
