Abu Dhabi Leading British curriculum school, Brighton College Abu Dhabi, has announced the appointment of Mr Barney Durrant as its new Head Master.
Mr Durrant officially began his role in April 2025 and will lead the school into its next exciting chapter, building on its exceptional academic standing and strong sense of community.
Brighton College Abu Dhabi recently celebrated its best-ever A-Level and GCSE results and was rated ‘Outstanding’ in all categories by British Schools Overseas (BSO) in 2024. With a ‘Very Good’ ADEK rating and a strong foundation of academic success, Mr Durrant’s appointment signals the next phase of growth and innovation for the College.
Barney Durrant’s profile
With over two decades of experience in British and international education, Mr Durrant joins Brighton College Abu Dhabi from his most recent position as Head of St Lawrence College in the UK, where he led the school for five years.
Under his leadership, the school was shortlisted for Student Wellbeing in the prestigious Independent School of the Year Awards. Prior to this, he spent eight years at Harrow International School Hong Kong, serving as Principal Deputy Head.
Earlier in his career, he spent fourteen years at the highly regarded Stowe School in the UK, further establishing his reputation as a dedicated and forward-thinking educational leader.
Mr Durrant is a passionate educationalist with a strong commitment to academic excellence, pastoral care, and holistic education.
He believes in preparing pupils for the demands of the 21st century while nurturing their full potential – academically, socially and emotionally.
His values are closely aligned with Brighton College’s ethos of kindness, curiosity and confidence. A regular speaker at international conferences, Mr Durrant has championed the link between wellbeing and academic success throughout his career.
Mr. Durrant holds a BA (Hons) Degree from the University College London, a PGCE from Cambridge University, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Nottingham.
‘It’s an honour to join Brighton College Abu Dhabi’
Commenting on his new appointment, Mr. Durrant said, “It is an honour to join Brighton College Abu Dhabi as Head Master, working alongside our outstanding sister schools in Al Ain and Dubai. Brighton College Abu Dhabi holds a special place in the Capital, consistently performing as the top school for A-level and GCSE results. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the warmth of the community and the energy across the campus.
“The culture of kindness, curiosity and confidence is evident in everything our pupils do – and reflects the values I care most deeply about in education. I’m looking forward to working with our talented staff and supportive parents to ensure every pupil is challenged, inspired, and supported to achieve their very best – not just academically, but as confident, compassionate young people ready for the world beyond school.”
Mr. Craig Lamshed, General Manager, Brighton Colleges UAE commented, “We are delighted to welcome Mr Barney Durrant to Brighton College Abu Dhabi. His extensive leadership experience and commitment to holistic education make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the College through its next phase of growth.
“At Bloom Education, we are proud to support a school community that consistently achieves academic excellence while placing kindness and wellbeing at its core. Mr Durrant’s appointment reflects our shared vision for delivering an outstanding British education that prepares pupils to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
