Minerva Virtual Academy Appoints Harry Allen as New Vice Principal for the Middle East

A leading educator said today the traditional “bricks and mortar” approach to school was being rightly challenged as demand soars for flexible schooling across the Gulf Region.

Harry Allen made the comments as he was named the new Middle East Vice Principal for Britain’s fastest growing online school – Minerva Virtual Academy (MVA).

From September 2025 MVA will be offering families in the Gulf, Middle East, East Africa and neighbouring regions live lessons, mentoring and a full school experience in the GST (Gulf Standard Time) time zone.

MVA has seen an increasing number of families in the Middle East seek out a British education through the award-winning independent school as waiting lists in regions such as UAE and KSA become the norm rather than the exception leaving some parents scrambling for places.

The school, accredited by the DfE and recipients of a glowing report by Ofsted, wanted to offer better flexibility for families in those territories who may want to study from home or combine their education with sports training or other lifestyle decisions.

Harry Allen is currently Assistant Head of Secondary at GEMS International School in Dubai, one of the Gulf’s most renowned schools for inclusivity.

He said today the move was a natural one for him as he looked to lead positive change aimed at creating greater accessibility for more children to find a place of learning that suits the individual.

“I think the traditional bricks-and-mortar approach is being rightly challenged,” added Harry, who lives in Dubai with his family.

“MVA is more than just a screen. It’s an online school that creates a very personal connection between the educators, the students, and the families. I think it’s a school that’s about its people, it’s a school that’s about its students, and it’s a school that’s about the well-being of its students.

“It’s very different to other online schools and I am very excited at the prospect of this next stage in its growth and being an integral part of how it helps to shape the future of education.”

Harry said the Middle East and its international school sector have developed hugely in the past decade or so in terms of how children with SEND are provided for but there was more work to be done and MVA was ideally placed to help lead that progress.

Founder Hugh Viney, who launched MVA in 2020 with just four students and has seen it grow to over 1,000 11-18 year-olds in 60 countries, said he was delighted to welcome Harry to the team.

“Harry’s wealth of experience in international education and inclusivity together with his home in Dubai has given him unrivalled knowledge of how a school should work in the Middle East. He will be the driving force we need to expand our community in the most positive way for the region,” he added.

“We are thrilled he is joining us and I know he will deliver the best that education has to offer to our new cohort joining us in September.”

“He shares our ethos that all children have the right to the education that suits them and this appointment is very much part of our determination to eliminate any possible compromises they may have to make to succeed.”

Suzanne Lindley, Principal of MVA, said the new GST students will be fully part of MVA’s vibrant international community, joining weekly assemblies, after-school clubs, and social rooms alongside classmates from across the UK and beyond.

“Harry and I will be working very closely together and our GST students will have their own community sessions and other features of the MVA experience particularly designed for them and their needs. They will also be fully integrated into the MVA community as a whole.

“Our community is our strength and our flexible approach combines being able to learn from anywhere with an ambitious enrichment programme. There will be local meet-ups and we are also planning a full regional and international trip programme to follow — giving GST students the best of both worlds: meaningful online connections and lasting in-person friendships.

“We’ve just been working on getting students to tell us what clubs and activities they would like, and we open that up to new students joining us next year. If there is a type of activity that we’re not currently offering we will be looking to build our enrichment offer term by term.”

Enrolments are now open for September 2025 — bringing a world-class British education, fully online, to families across the Gulf and beyond.

Pupils from these areas who are already enrolled at MVA have previously had to join the UK (British Summertime) timetable.

The GST timetable will initially welcome students into Years 9 and 10 (ages 13–15),  while Sixth Form students entering Year 12 (age 16+) will continue to follow the A Level programme on the UK (BST) timetable, with the flexibility to sit exams abroad.

Students studying towards International GCSEs on the GST timetable will also benefit from the option to sit their exams remotely using Pearson’s Remote Invigilation Service.