Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Community envolvement
Professional Development
Timeline
Generic

EMILY LOUISE HARRIS

Grand Cayman,Cayman Islands

Summary

Accomplished and creative educational leader with a proven record of driving transformational outcomes through drama, inclusive practice, and strategic innovation. Achieved an 'Excellent' OES rating in 2025, earning national commendation for strategic and inclusive leadership. Specialises in aligning arts integration with curriculum reform and inclusion, delivering measurable improvements in student wellbeing, learning outcomes, and stakeholder engagement.

Academic background includes training at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, one of the world’s most prestigious institutions for theatre education, Goldsmiths, University of London, internationally respected for progressive education, and current postgraduate study at Harvard University, further developing strategic leadership and innovation capabilities.

Known for a relational leadership style rooted in inclusive excellence, professional empowerment, and child-centred practice. Has transformed learning environments through strategic planning, creative arts engagement, and curriculum innovation. Commended in inspection for "highly effective and innovative leadership that creates a culture of excellence and inclusion." Thrives in collaborative, visionary environments that value creativity, diversity, and authentic learning and embraces the power of drama to connect, heal, and inspire learners of all backgrounds.

I thrive in collaborative roles that require bold vision, exceptional communication, and the power of drama to connect, heal, and inspire learners of all backgrounds.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

Head of School & SENCo

Sprogs Garden Playschool
Grand Cayman
08.2022 - Current
  • Achieved an "Excellent" rating in the 2025 OES Inspection for exceptional leadership, innovation, and inclusive practice.
  • Spearheaded a dynamic school culture transformation centred on relationship-led pedagogy, inclusion, and creative excellence.
  • Designed and implemented a bespoke, future-facing early years curriculum rooted in creativity, sensory play, and performance-based learning.
  • Created and delivered school-wide professional development focused on child-centred practice, inclusive strategy, and applied theatre in education.
  • Directed large-scale musical theatre productions and student-led showcases that celebrated neurodiversity, multilingualism, and community identity.
  • Built strategic partnerships with external agencies and advocacy groups to champion inclusive education across the Cayman Islands.
  • Delivered keynote talks and workshops to regional educators, positioning the school as a thought leader in inclusive creative education.
  • Prioritised staff wellbeing and collective efficacy through vision-led, collaborative leadership initiatives.

Early Development SEN Specialist & Lead Teacher

Nottingham High School
Nottingham, UK
09.2020 - 07.2022
  • Directed EYFS teaching and inclusion strategy at one of Nottingham’s leading independent schools.
  • Developed intervention pathways utilizing play-based drama to enhance emotional regulation and language skills.
  • Collaborated with SLT and families to establish inclusive practices that respected student identity.
  • Established data-driven tracking systems aligned with early learning goals and SEND objectives.

Theatre-in-Education Practitioner & Workshop Leader

National & Community Theatre Projects
01.2012 - 01.2022
  • Conducted workshops in London and Manchester schools to promote literacy, inclusion, and confidence through drama.
  • Taught GCSE and A-Level Drama at Westminster High School, a top-performing London school, supporting academic excellence and confidence in performance.
  • Performed at Minack Theatre, captivating diverse audiences with professional theatre.
  • Led Theatre-in-Education project at Percy Hedley Special Needs School, supporting youth with complex needs through inclusive methods.
  • Designed and facilitated programmes empowering participants through storytelling, improvisation, and devised theatre techniques.
  • Planned and delivered LAMDA and Drama at Foosteps Theatre School

Early Years Lead, Assistant SENCo, and Teacher

Ark Conway Primary Academy
London, UK
09.2017 - 07.2020
  • Elevated teaching standards and classroom impact across Foundation Stage and KS1 through inclusive, creative leadership.
  • Taught mixed-age groups and differentiated creatively for a wide range of needs and abilities.
  • Led the school’s creative curriculum development, blending drama, sensory play, and real-world enquiry.
  • Directed annual school productions and founded a cross-year drama club.
  • Organised and directed the annual staff pantomime, enhancing whole-school culture and community spirit.
  • Attained top performance in teacher training cohort, recognised for innovative classroom practice and pupil progress.
  • Led Year 2 SATs preparation, achieving strong results across the Ark Network for literacy and SPAG.
  • Played a key role in the DfE pilot programme to reform and evaluate the UK EYFS curriculum and supporting documentation.
  • Mentored teachers across London and the Midlands as part of the Ark Schools leadership network.

Graduate EYFS Teacher

Ark Academy
London, UK
05.2016 - 07.2017
  • Delivered engaging arts-based lessons to children ages four to 18.
  • Directed drama clubs to promote creativity and community involvement.
  • Organized staff pantomime to enhance community engagement initiatives.
  • Implemented character-based phonics programs to improve early literacy skills.
  • Provided targeted interventions for diverse learners through expressive arts integration.

Graduate Teacher

Deanesfield Primary School
London, UK
05.2015 - 05.2016
  • Taught across multiple key stages, emphasizing inclusion and confidence-building.
  • Founded and led a drama club, integrating performance into daily learning experiences.
  • Delivered individualized interventions with drama-based methods, storytelling, and movement activities.
  • Supported whole-child development through nurturing relationships and collaboration with families.

Education

Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership - true

Harvard University
USA (online)
12.2025

PGCE Primary Education -

Goldsmiths College, University of London
12.2019

QTS – Primary Education - London

Ark Teacher Training
London
12.2019

BA (Hons) Applied Theatre and Education -

Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
12.2015

HNC Drama -

Manchester College of Arts and Technology
12.2012

A-Levels - Art, Drama, Film Studies

Abbotsholme School
12.2011

GCSEs - 9 subjects including Maths, Literacy, Science, Drama

Abbotsholme School
12.2009

Skills

  • Strategic educational leadership
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Team leadership
  • Visionary thinking
  • Arts integration
  • Applied theatre education
  • Inclusive practice and SEN coordination
  • Early childhood curriculum design
  • Behaviour and wellbeing support
  • Teacher coaching and CPD facilitation
  • Speech and language enhancement
  • Data-informed planning and assessment
  • Community partnership engagement
  • National curriculum reform

References

Available upon request.

Community envolvement

  • Committee Member, Cayman Drama Society
  • Lead performer, CDS Christmas Show & mainstage productions, 01/01/23 - 12/31/25
  • Workshop Leader, Minack Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe, and schools across London
  • Program Leader, Inclusive drama programmes for children and young people with SEND, including the Percy Hedley TIE project
  • Advocate for Inclusion

Professional Development

  • SENCo Level 4 Certification
  • Harvard University: Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership (in progress)
  • Designated Safeguarding Lead Training
  • CPD: Trauma-Informed Practice, Drama Therapy for Early Years
  • CPD: Curriculum Innovation, Speech & Language, EYFS Reform

Timeline

Head of School & SENCo

Sprogs Garden Playschool
08.2022 - Current

Early Development SEN Specialist & Lead Teacher

Nottingham High School
09.2020 - 07.2022

Early Years Lead, Assistant SENCo, and Teacher

Ark Conway Primary Academy
09.2017 - 07.2020

Graduate EYFS Teacher

Ark Academy
05.2016 - 07.2017

Graduate Teacher

Deanesfield Primary School
05.2015 - 05.2016

Theatre-in-Education Practitioner & Workshop Leader

National & Community Theatre Projects
01.2012 - 01.2022

Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership - true

Harvard University

PGCE Primary Education -

Goldsmiths College, University of London

QTS – Primary Education - London

Ark Teacher Training

BA (Hons) Applied Theatre and Education -

Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

HNC Drama -

Manchester College of Arts and Technology

A-Levels - Art, Drama, Film Studies

Abbotsholme School

GCSEs - 9 subjects including Maths, Literacy, Science, Drama

Abbotsholme School

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
EMILY LOUISE HARRIS