Zara Harrington

Zara Harrington

Zara Harrington

Principal of Safa British School and experienced senior leader both in Dubai and the UK. 

About Me

Zara graduated from The London Business School with a BA Hons in Business Enterprise specialising in accounting and finance. After much career deliberation and working with her strengths of organisation, Zara went into fast track hotel management for 6 years before deciding to go into teaching. During her time as a Hotel Manager, she was national recognised in the UK and the hotel won Retreat of the Year, a highly sought after accolade in the hospitality industry.  Her decision to change careers happened after a trip to India working in a slum school, the trip planted a seed of helping others to create a passion for learning.  Her passion for teaching is at the core of everything she does. Zara is family focused and her daughter attends Safa British School in Year 4, her daughter who would like to follow in her mother’s footsteps into teaching.  

My Experience

My previous position of Vice Principal at a large all through school was certainly an exciting journey; one full of experiences. Taking an already ‘Outstanding’ school and making it ‘Stand Out’. “Is an inspirational leader who gets the very best out of all the staff and pupils by modelling exactly what she expects.” Ofsted 2013.   In my previous job role as Principal of the two merging primary schools came about after a turbulent time in the school where two schools were joined together and a long serving head was relieved of his position following an Ofsted inspection. The school lacked in direction and drive, morale was very low and the parents were opposed to the merging of the two schools. A very tricky position to be in. “Principal’s endless energy and uncompromising standards are the reason for the academy’s rapid transformation.” Ofsted 2013.   

Most recently I have been actively reviewing schools within the network whom my own experiences and skills can guide and help. I undertook a range of approaches with these schools from learning walks to observations to book and planning scrutinies and continued professional development meetings. “Her success is rooted in the way that she models what she expects, and in the ‘can do’ approach that she instils.” Ofsted 2013.