Senior Leadership Team
Mr. Spence has over 20 years of experience in international education with a highly successful track record of leadership of British international schools and a breadth of experience working alongside local educators. He has previously guided a top international school in Malaysia to achieve an outstanding accreditation in a British Overseas School inspection alongside exam results in the top 5% of the world and gone on to lead an IB World School in the UK, an international secondary school in Qatar and a 3-18 international school in China.
He is an avid proponent of the value and importance of international education in developing young people’s global awareness and capacity as future leaders. He believes that every child has the potential for success and that every teacher can be a great teacher and aims to unlock that potential through inspirational leadership.
His experience includes serving as a member of Education First Global Executive Committee, strategic school development, leading on teaching and learning audits as part of school inspections, leading on cross-schools policy development and membership of the International and Comparative Education Research Centre Cluster at the University of Durham. He has also presented on a range of education topics, including at the FOBISEA Heads and Senior Managers Conference, the British Council and to over 300 school leaders in Malaysia at the invitation of the MoE. He has written articles for CEM Insight on the use of diagnostic and assessment data to drive up school performance.
Mrs Jasmine Sabharwal takes lead responsibility for safeguarding and welfare across the campus. She supports other school designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) and school principals on child welfare, safeguarding and child protection matters. She ensures the school creates a culture where students and families experience a positive and enriching school life, encouraging high standards of behaviour, built on high standards of expectations and routines that are understood by children and clearly demonstrated by all adults in school through Restorative Approach. Mrs Jasmine has built wide partnerships through working with local authorities, hospitals and expanding internationally through FOBISIA (Federation of British Schools Overseas). Mrs Jasmine Sabharwal is now FOBISIA’s Safeguarding Executive Committee Member leading Safeguarding in Region B Asia (Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, and Indonesia).
Mrs Jasmine Sabharwal has been teaching in international schools since 2009 with over 14 years of experience in middle and senior leadership positions. She completed her National Professional Qualification for Headship with Best Practice Network UK. Mrs Jasmine Sabharwal is a science specialist in Biotechnology, and she continued her research and publications in Microbiology at the Asian University of Medical, Science and Technology Malaysia. She then pursued her career in stem cell studies and found her interest in education after working closely with medical practitioners, students, teachers, and parents.
Mrs Jasmine Sabharwal’s journey in Sri KDU started in early 2011 teaching IB Diploma and IGCSE Biology as well as Key Stage 3 Sciences. She had taken on her first pastoral role in our school in 2012 as the Head of Year 11 and was promoted into the Senior Leadership Team in 2014 overseeing IGCSE students. Working her way up Mrs Jasmine was appointed as the Deputy Head Secondary in 2019, in charge for pastoral care and holistic education. Mrs Jasmine Sabharwal was appointed in 2022 as the Director of Safeguarding establishing policies, procedures and advisory role in Safeguarding and Child Protection for Sri KDU Schools and in April 2023 took over the Vice Principal role in Welfare and Safeguarding for Kota Damansara Campus.
Ms Leuty brings over 15 years of international teaching experience to our school, having worked across primary and early years classrooms worldwide. With a deep understanding of the vital partnership between home and school, Ms. Leuty is dedicated to fostering a productive and enjoyable learning environment for students. She is committed to ensuring that children not only thrive during their primary years but are also well-prepared for their transition to secondary education.
Currently serving as the Head of International Primary in Sri KDU, this is Ms. Leuty’s second headship role in an international setting. Her leadership experience reflects her commitment to enhancing educational standards and supporting both students and staff in achieving their goals. Ms. Leuty has a proven track record of creating effective learning environments and is skilled in guiding schools through the complexities of a diverse educational landscape.
Ms Connolly has vast experience in teaching both in the United Kingdom (UK) and internationally. She holds a BA Honours in English Language and Literature, MA with Distinction in Education, and the National Professional Qualification of Senior Leadership. Ms Connolly started her teaching career in 1996 as an English teacher. After working in secondary schools in the UK and Russia and having the added responsibility of Head of Psychology while teaching in an OFSTED outstanding school in the UK, she then decided to further her professional career and gain experience in international education by joining a well-established international school in Bangkok in 2009 as a teacher of English Language and Literature, where after a year she was promoted to Head of English. Ms Connolly joined Sri KDU International School in August 2021 as Deputy Head of Secondary with direct responsibility for the academic programme in the secondary school, including teaching and learning, student achievement and progress, teacher training and professional development, while also teaching English at Key Stage 3, IGCSE and IBDP level. In the following year, Ms Connolly took up a new role of Head of Secondary at Sri KDU International School.
Ms Connolly firmly believes that every student, irrespective of their ability, language proficiency level or background, can achieve their full potential if they are safe and happy, and are given the right opportunities and support, therefore, she feels very passionate about creating a family-like and inclusive educational environment that supports all students in their personal and educational development, helping them to achieve their personal goals and aspirations.
In her leisure time, Ms Connolly enjoys reading world literature along with travelling and absorbing the rich and varied cultural experiences that both Malaysia and Southeast Asia have to offer.
QUALIFICATION
- BA Hons - University of Chester - Law
- College of Law - Legal Practitioners Course
- PGCE - University of Cumbria - Primary Education
- NPQSL - UCL
Previously the Assistant Head of Primary and Head of Year 3 and Year 5 at GEMS International School, Josh has experience in teaching SAT preparations and is also an experienced SEN and EAL teacher for both Year 6 and Year 3. During his PGCE duration, he has taught all years across KS1 and KS2 and is fully qualified in Safeguarding.
He has a passion for reading and recently spoke at a FOBISIA e-Conference on how to implement effective teaching of reading and its impact on overall child development. He is a keen sportsman and particularly enjoys rugby and competing in triathlons. He also enjoys taking part in drama with previous on-stage roles in the UK and has directed previous Primary and whole school performances.
QUALIFICATION
- BA(Hons) Computer Science - University of Sunderland
- PGCE - University of Sunderland
After completing his studies, Gareth worked in both Finance and Local Government. After being involved in the implementation of a range of new systems Gareth developed a passion and interest in helping others achieve their goals.
This culminated in Gareth undertaking his PGCE followed by completing his QTS year. Gareth has taught in schools both in the UK and internationally. In his previous school in the Middle East Gareth held both middle and senior leadership positions. As a result of this Gareth has developed a keen interest in leadership and reading around the topic. In the classroom Gareth is always keen to try out new ideas in order to continue to engage and enthuse students.
In his spare time Gareth enjoys travelling with his wife and two children (who both attend the school). Gareth is also taking the opportunity to sample the culinary delights Malaysia has to offer.
QUALIFICATION
- BSc Applied and Human Biology (Aston University, Birmingham, UK)
- PGCE in Science: Biology (Birmingham University, UK)
- PGDE in Education Leadership (Cumbria University, UK)
Mr Tariq is an experienced secondary school teacher who has taught key stages 3/4/5 (GCSE, BTEC, A Level) throughout his career, covering Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Applied Science, and Islamic studies.
Mr Tariq was born in Walsall, a small town north of Birmingham, United Kingdom. He was educated in the UK, and completed his BSc Applied and Human Biology degree at Aston University and then his PGCE in Science at the University of Birmingham. Whilst working as Assistant Head of Department, his interest in the field of leadership increased leading him to apply for a PGDE in Education Leadership (Cumbria University, UK) focusing on teaching and learning strategies.
Mr Tariq started his teaching career in Holly Lodge High School, UK, teaching Science from Year 7 to Year 13, he then progressed in his career to Assistant Head of Science at Perry Beeches Secondary School, UK. After that, Mr Tariq worked to support management and dramatically raise attainment at Willenhall E-Act Academy as Head of Department for Science. He then moved to establish a new school, Eden Boys Schools where he led the Science and Design technology department. More recently, Mr Tariq has been the Raising Achievement Leader at Mesaieed International School, Qatar, where he has worked alongside senior management to consistently improve students’ progress and attainment.
Mr Tariq is passionate about student engagement and enjoys watching students develop, engage and progress from various stages in their learning. He is a keen advocate for working alongside other members of the faculty and parents to ensure students enjoy a holistic learning experience that helps them to thrive and achieve their potential.
Mr Tariq will be arriving to Malaysia with his wife and three children. He likes travelling to different countries to learn about and experience different cultures and cuisines. He has had the pleasure of visiting Malaysia many years ago and is eager to return to this beautiful country. In his spare time, Mr Tariq enjoys watching nature programmes, going on long walks and eating good food.
Mr Tariq wholeheartedly believes in lifelong learning; that knowledge is an ocean that has no coast, and we are all learners regardless of our age, status, or culture.
We visited numerous international schools in Klang-Valley and Sri KDU Subang Jaya was not even on our list. Reason being it is way out of our travelling radius. However, we are glad we made the visit to the school before our final call, and it was the best decision ever! It was a huge transition period for us during the first 2 weeks into school, but the school’s team (Teachers, Administrative and Parent’s Teacher Association) made us feel right at home. We were given clear guidance and was kept well informed on the happenings in the school. My daughter blended into the community quite well with the care provided by the Homeroom teacher. All the teachers here are the kindest, as she told me. She looks forward to going to school and has become more disciplined in terms on knowing what tasks she needs to complete daily. She has gained so much confidence during this short period of time and was given the encouragement to explore and develop her abilities here. She was just selected as the new Primary House Captain for Year 6 AY2022/2023.
Every parent want to find the ‘perfect’ school for their child and are afraid of making the wrong decision. For us, as long she is safe and happy, we believe, she will eventually find the way to her own success.