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Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Globe and Mail
Inspiration Academy Welcomes Robin Evans as New School Administrator for 2025/2026
Bradenton, FL - Inspiration Academy (IA) is proud to announce the appointment of Robin Evans as its new School Administrator for the 2025-2026 academic year. With almost three decades of experience in education, Evans brings a passion and vision that aligns with IA's mission and community-centered values. Evans, who holds degrees in Social Science Education and a Master's in Education, has been with Inspiration Academy since 2014. She joined as the Head of Curriculum and taught history, and has held several roles over the past 11 years. Now entering her 30th year in education, her credentials and experience reflect her dedication to excellence in both teaching and administration. 'Robin understands the heart of IA,' said Head of School and Co-Founder Eddie Speir. 'God has equipped her beautifully to serve in this capacity. Nobody is better suited to take on this position.' Background and Vision Evans' background in homeschooling has given her a distinctive perspective that makes her an ideal leader at IA. Her experience has taught her the importance of recognizing different learning styles and identifying students' strengths and opportunities for growth to tailor her support and help each student grow. Her leadership style is characterized by empathy, attentiveness, and a keen interest in each student's journey. As School Administrator, Evans will focus on some key objectives that reflect her personal values and the school's broader mission. Her goals are to: Maintain a warm and welcoming environment where all students and families feel supported. Ensure that every student thrives in every area of their development: academically, spiritually, and athletically. Launch and grow IA's elementary school division. With this expansion, IA can provide a comprehensive curriculum for all grades from K to 12 starting this fall. This marks an exciting milestone in the school's development and allows it to offer a fully integrated academic journey under one unified mission. Building a Community For Evans, IA is not simply a place of employment. She is passionate about building a vibrant community, and one of her ongoing goals is to ensure that robust support mechanisms are in place to nurture individual students and the broader student body. Evans' vision for the school includes increasing outreach efforts to ensure that more parents and families understand the full range of offerings available at IA. In addition to serving students in grades K–12, these include: A wide range of sports opportunities, including baseball, softball, tennis, and golf academies. A Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) program to encourage students to express their creativity and develop a deep understanding of various artistic disciplines. Dual enrollment coursework for eligible students, allowing them to earn both high school and college or vocational credits simultaneously. Mentorship programs that guide students in their academic growth and spiritual development. A unique approach to honors programs that cultivates academic excellence, character, leadership, and a strong work ethic. Inspiration Academy has always been committed to developing students both inside and outside the classroom. The appointment of Evans as School Administrator reaffirms that mission and reflects the school's dedication to nurturing academic, spiritual, and personal growth. About Inspiration Academy Inspiration Academy is a private Christian school for grades K–12 serving the Bradenton and Manatee County areas. They combine a rigorous academic education with faith-based instruction and a strong focus on personalized mentorship. They aim to develop students academically, socially, and spiritually and help them grow into thoughtful, well-rounded individuals. For more information, visit or contact us at (941) 795-5466 or info@
Times of Oman
09-06-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Downe House Muscat welcomes Helen Booth-Smith as new Principal
Muscat: Downe House Muscat, a leading British International School for girls in the region, is delighted to announce the appointment of Miss. Helen Booth-Smith as its new Head of School, effective from the start of the 2025–26 academic year. A respected educator and senior leader, Miss. Booth-Smith has been an integral part of Downe House Muscat since its establishment in 2022 having served as Deputy Head. During this time, she has led academic and pastoral provision across Grades 1 to 12, playing a central role in developing the school's academic standards and fostering a learning environment where every pupil is known and valued. Throughout her tenure, Miss. Booth-Smith has contributed significantly to the school's growing academic reputation, helping to deliver excellent academic results and championing a culture of high expectations and achievement. As she steps into her new role as Head of School, she will continue to shape and refine the school's tailored pathways, ensuring pupils are well prepared for success in IGCSEs, A-Levels, or the Omani General Education Diploma. As part of the prestigious Downe House family of schools, Downe House Muscat offers a dynamic curriculum that combines the academic rigour of the Cambridge Programme with the educational excellence of Downe House UK, inspiring curiosity, creativity, and independence, while maintaining a deep commitment to Arabic Language and Islamic Studies. A passionate educator, she has remained actively involved in teaching, earning respect for the value-added progress achieved by the students. She brings with her a rich background in British and international education, with previous leadership roles in Cairo and London, as well as experience with Teach First, where she supported school-wide improvements across the UK. Commenting on her appointment, Miss. Helen Booth-Smith said: 'I am honoured to lead Downe House Muscat into its next chapter. This is a community shaped by care, ambition, and shared values — a place where every girl is encouraged to challenge herself and is supported to succeed. As we move forward, I am committed to ensuring that our culture continues to expect excellence and live kindness every day.' Miss. Booth-Smith will work closely with the current Founding Head Miss. Michelle Scott to ensure continuity and a smooth transition of leadership. Miss. Scott will be stepping down at the end of this academic year after having successfully launched and established the school. Mrs. Emma McKendrick, Headmistress of Downe House UK, commented 'It has been a great privilege to work with Miss Scott in her role as Founding Principal of Downe House Muscat. Setting up a school during the pandemic brought with it unique challenges and yet she never lost sight of the need to keep the girls' best interests at the centre of all that she did. Her commitment and dedication to ensuring the delivery of a first-class holistic education to every pupil is the most powerful legacy to leave and one which will live on for many years to come. I am most grateful to her. It will be a great privilege now to work with Miss. Booth-Smith, Miss Scott's successor. Having known Helen as Vice Principal, I am in no doubt that she will continue to build and develop our school community with both grace and humility but also ambition. Enabling all our girls in Muscat to benefit from an education where every girl can shine will, I know, be at the core of all she does. I look forward to visiting and seeing the continuation of the Downe House spirit shining through!' Downe House Muscat has recently celebrated several notable achievements. In the past academic year, 100% of Grade 12 graduates secured places at their first-choice universities, both in Oman and internationally. Pupils were recognised with eight prestigious Pearson Education Learner Awards, including the 'Highest Mark in the World' for A-Level Arabic. Beyond the classroom, the Under-12 football team was crowned champions of the Muscat School Secondary Sports League, reflecting the school's commitment to all-round excellence. Looking ahead to the 2025-26 academic year, the school will further expand its offering with the launch of its new Kindergarten for KG1 and KG2, with a curriculum that is supported by small class sizes, bespoke facilities, and dedicated Early Years specialists, creating a warm and purposeful environment that nurtures curiosity, creativity and confidence.
