Timothy Friend

I am incredibly excited and honoured to be joining GEMS Metropole as a Deputy Headteacher. I bring with me a wealth of experience as a senior leader, both in the UK and the UAE, where I have been working for over three years. I am also proud to hold the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), which has further strengthened my leadership expertise and strategic vision.

My vision is to ensure every child receives a high-quality education and develops a genuine love of learning, regardless of their starting point. I am committed to inspirational leadership, maintaining high standards, and fostering a culture of excellence. A core strength of mine lies in building strong relationships with all stakeholders, underpinned by excellent interpersonal skills, which has enabled me to create collaborative and positive school environments.

I am passionate about developing middle leaders into the next generation of senior leaders, ensuring long-term, sustainable impact within schools. I have also supported other GEMS schools through pre-inspection visits and ongoing GEMS reviews. Throughout my career, I have worked across a range of year groups, gaining extensive experience in both teaching and leadership. I have successfully introduced rigorous monitoring and assessment systems to drive progress and ensure that all children reach their full potential. By motivating teams to aim high, I have consistently raised the quality of teaching and learning.

Outside of school, I am a devoted Tottenham Hotspur supporter, proudly from North London, and I have a keen interest in sport, particularly football, which I enjoy playing in my spare time.