After 30 years in the Gulf, Abu Dhabi head teacher of BSAK to leave UAE

After a 30-year career in the Gulf and 12 years leading The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) in Abu Dhabi, head teacher Mark Leppard will depart the United Arab Emirates in August. Leppard, who has been based in the region for 30 years, will assume the role of chief executive at Singapore's Tanglin Trust School, a school founded in 1925. At BSAK, Leppard will be succeeded by Robin Macpherson, the current head of college at Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen, Scotland, and previously worked at Repton School Dubai.

In a statement to The National, Leppard expressed that he considers the UAE to be his home, as his children have grown up there. He noted that his decision to leave was not easy, but an opportunity to test himself in a new environment presented itself. Leppard began his teaching career in the Gulf in 1996, starting as a physical education teacher and head of year at Doha College in Qatar, progressing to assistant principal, and ultimately becoming principal for the last nine years.

He emphasized that the Gulf region, and the UAE in particular, have always been very ambitious for education, with a positive shift towards AI, physical literacy, and increased focus on education.

Leppard expects artificial intelligence to have a significant impact on education in the near future and highlighted the growing presence of well-known British schools in the UAE, providing a high-quality service. He also mentioned that not-for-profit schools like BSAK reinvest "every single dirham" in the institution, particularly investing in staff training, which has led to an incredible staff retention rate between 92 and 96 percent.

BSAK has expanded during Leppard's tenure, growing from approximately 1,600 pupils to around 2,030 pupils, catering to students aged 3 to 18. He emphasized the school's strong academic results, which have improved year-on-year, as well as the numerous co-curricular and extra-curricular activities offered daily.

Leppard's contribution to education was recognized in 2015 when he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). He expressed his hope to contribute positively to the school's history and acknowledged the recognition he received for his work. Leppard's move to Singapore reflects his desire to experience a different culture and challenge himself in a new environment.

Mr. Macpherson, who will take over as BSAK's head teacher in August, just before the start of the 2027-28 academic year, has led Robert Gordon's College since 2020. He has a strong background in the UAE's education landscape, with previous experience at Repton School Dubai between 2008 and 2011. BSAK's board of governors praised Macpherson's educational vision, values-led leadership, and commitment to academic excellence, inclusion, and community.