Joanne Bell

A very warm welcome to GEMS Winchester School.

My name is Joanne Bell, and I am the Whole School Deputy Headteacher for Children’s Services and a member of the Executive Leadership Team. It is a privilege to be part of such a caring and inclusive school community, where every child and family is valued.

I graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in the UK with a degree in Physical Education and began my teaching career in Birmingham, England. Shortly afterwards, I moved to Dubai, which has been my home for more than 30 years.

My first teaching position in Dubai was at Dubai College, where I spent 9 wonderful years as the Head of Physical Education. During this time, I also became a Pearson Associate for GCSE Physical Education, a role that I continue to enjoy today.

After leaving Dubai College, I took on what I believe is the most important and rewarding role of all, being a mum to my two children. I later returned to education at Latifa School for Girls, where I had the opportunity to work closely with Emirati students, families, and colleagues. This experience enriched my understanding of the UAE's culture and traditions and helped me build strong relationships across the community. I was proud to serve as the Head Teacher during my final five years at Latifa School. During this period, I also completed my National Professional Qualifications for Senior Leadership and Headship and qualified as a British Schools Overseas Inspector.

I joined the GEMS Winchester family in 2021 as Assistant Principal and was proud to later become the Whole School Deputy Head. Supporting the wellbeing of our students is at the heart of everything I do, and as Designated Safeguarding Lead, I work to ensure that every child feels safe, cared for, and a true sense of belonging within our school community.

I also lead several GEMS initiatives within the school, including Be a GEM, Beyond100, Leadership Gemstones, and Stand Up, Speak Out. Alongside my leadership responsibilities, I continue to teach BTEC Sport and enjoy spending time with students in the classroom. I am also proud to work closely with our Friends of Winchester; a fantastic group of dedicated parents who help strengthen the partnership between home and school.

While achieving excellent academic results is important, I strongly believe that school should be much more than that. School should be a place where children feel safe, happy, respected, and inspired. It should be a place where they build confidence, develop lifelong friendships, discover their strengths, and feel that they truly belong.

At GEMS Winchester, we are proud of our diverse community and the strong relationships we build with our families. 

I look forward to meeting you during the school year and welcoming you into our Winchester family.