The school blends academic excellence and personal growth for future-ready global citizens
Ask Peter Taylor what excites him most about leading Raha International School’s Khalifa City Campus (KCC), and his answer is clear: the chance to shape a school where academic ambition, cultural identity, and personal growth come together.
For Abu Dhabi families, his arrival signals a bold new phase in the school’s journey. Taylor brings nearly 20 years of leadership experience from the UK to Abu Dhabi, and is transparent that the role is both professional and personal.
Having his three daughters join Raha KCC this year gives him the rare perspective of being both a principal and a parent within the school’s community. “I wanted to be part of a school that I would trust for my own children.”
A proven track record Taylor’s career has been shaped by a series of highimpact roles across the UK.
Early in his journey, he taught in Pupil Referral Units, settings that demanded empathy, patience, and an unshakable belief in students’ potential
From there, he rose quickly through the ranks, moving into senior positions at two of Manchester’s leading schools. At Levenshulme Girls’ School, one of the outstanding state schools in England, he was part of a leadership team that secured student progress results in the top 0.5 per cent nationally.
Later, as Principal at Audenshaw Boys’ School, he oversaw curriculum reform that drove rising achievement, strong inspection outcomes, and a significant uplift in the school’s profile.
These experiences shaped his leadership philosophy: empowering teams, building trust, and keeping students at the centre of every decision.
“Leadership is not about quick wins,” Taylor reflects. “It’s about creating the conditions where success is sustained and evolves year after year.” Why Raha, why now? With his career soaring in the UK, what drew Taylor to Abu Dhabi? “I’ve always been fascinated by the IB,” he explains.
“The way it encourages students to be reflective, open-minded, and to connect knowledge across disciplines, it’s very much aligned with the way I feel about education. And in many ways, it mirrors the progress and diversity of the UAE itself, where education and community values are built on inclusivity, ambition, and global outlook.”
For Taylor, Raha International School KCC represents the opportunity to lead a thriving learning community and sees the school as a potential benchmark for best practice in Abu Dhabi. “KCC has all the ingredients to be outstanding,” he says.
“It’s a place where children can excel academically, but also develop as global citizens who are compassionate, resourceful, and forward-thinking.”
A three-pillar approach Taylor outlines a framework of priorities that guide his leadership:
- Contextual Heritage – celebrating the cultural identity and values of the UAE as the foundation of school life.
- High Achievement – ambitious academic standards that help every student reach their potential, thoughtfully balanced with values-based living and learning.
- Personal Development – embedding the IB Learner Profile into daily practice so that students leave as adaptable, principled, and open-minded individuals. “It’s not about one type of success,” Taylor notes.
“It’s about ensuring every child finds a pathway that suits who they are and where they want to go, whether that’s to a top university, a creative industry, or an entrepreneurial venture.”
Building on strengths While Taylor is clear about his vision, he is also quick to acknowledge the foundation already laid by the staff and leaders who guided KCC through its formative years.
“The resilience shown by this community, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, has been remarkable,” he says. “My job is not to reinvent, but to build on those strengths and take us to the next level.
This means listening to teachers, valuing parents’ perspectives, and ensuring the student voice remains central. In a city where families have more schooling options than ever, Taylor recognises the weight of responsibility.
“Parents choose schools not just for academics, but for ethos and trust,” he says. “We must be the right fit academically, culturally and personally for the families who join us.” Looking ahead Taylor is candid about the journey ahead, “There will be challenges, but also extraordinary opportunities.”
He adds “It’s a long-term commitment to shaping a school community where excellence, inclusion, and character will flourish for years to come.”
His ambition is to see Raha International School KCC recognised not just for academic results, but for the way it develops compassionate, confident young people prepared for life beyond school. “If we can achieve that balance, we will not just be a successful school, we will be a school that changes lives.”
For the KCC community as a whole, his arrival signals stability, ambition and fresh energy. And for students walking the halls of KCC today, it marks the beginning of a future shaped by a leader committed to bringing out the very best in them.
To find out more about what lies ahead for Raha International School KCC, visit riskcc.ae
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