Meet the principal: Andrew Prosser, Dubai Heights Academy

Dubai Heights Academy is one of 10 new schools opening in Dubai this month. Leading the school from concept to operation is founding principal Andrew Prosser, who most recently helped launch Safa Community School, and headed Safa British School before that.

While Prosser admits to missing the "hustle and bustle of school and the interaction with the children" while being office based over the last seven months, he also acknowledges the learning opportunities a new opening presents.

"The process of opening new schools has exposed me to a wide range of talented people who have all taught me something along the way. It's this interaction with people and learning from others that really drives me. I now have a good understating of precast concrete construction, swimming pool plumbing and which colours complement each other on a PE kit," Prosser tells Education Journal Middle East.

However, while a school opening may be exciting, Prosser is well aware of the challenges Dubai Heights Academy may face in its first years, the primary one being competition. He says: "The school market in Dubai has changed over the last few years as many new schools have opened and competition for places is greater than ever. Many of the schools that opened last year still have spaces. This is probably our biggest hurdle as marketing a school that is under construction is considerably harder than marketing a school where you can walk the parents round."

That being said, Prosser adds: "We have a lot of interest from parents and lots of positive press from various school related websites. I think once the doors are open and parents and children can look around the facilities and see what is on offer we will become an in demand school."