A senior leader, Booth-Smith has been an integral part of Downe House Muscat since its founding in 2022, previously serving as Vice Principal 

Muscat, June 9, 2025: Downe House Muscat has announced the appointment of Helen Booth-Smith as its new Head of School, effective from the academic year 2025–26.   

A senior leader, Booth-Smith has been an integral part of Downe House Muscat since its establishment in 2022 having served as its Deputy Head. During the time, she has led academic and pastoral provision across Grades 1 to 12, playing a key role in developing the school’s academic standards.  

A passionate educator, she has remained actively involved in teaching. 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.  

Booth-Smith will work closely with the current Founding Head Michelle Scott to ensure continuity and a smooth transition of leadership. Scott will be stepping down at the end of this academic year after having successfully launched and established the school.  

Emma McKendrick, Headmistress of Downe House UK, says, “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.  

“It will be a great privilege now to work with Miss. Booth-Smith, Miss Scott’s successor. 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.”  

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.