NEWS
K12
UK: Dukes Education absorbs London-based schools group Dukes Education, a UK-based operator of premium private schools, has acquired House Schools Group, a cluster of three independent schools in London. Prospect House School in Putney, Orchard House School in Chiswick, and Bassett House School in Kensignton have joined Dukes, lifting its total number of sites, which include schools and nurseries, to 36. The schools are all co-educational and cater to students aged three to 11. Dukes’ founder and chairman, Aatif Hassan (pictured), commented: “I am delighted to welcome these prestigious and high-quality schools to our family. The union provides the schools with continued governance and educational support, and long-term stability.” The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The deal is the latest link in a chain of acquisitions by Dukes carried out over the past 12 months.
Top Scottish public school to open in China Gordonstoun, the famously austere Scottish public school much loved by Prince Philip and equally loathed by Charles, is to open a new school in China. The school was founded in 1934 by Kurt Hahn and in addition to educational excellence had an emphasis on outdoor activities and skills such as seamanship and mountaineering. The Duke of Edinburgh was one of the school’s earliest pupils, and he was followed by Prince Charles in the sixties and both of Princess Anne’s children in the eighties.
To facilitate the China project, the school is working in partnership with BBD Education, the management consultancy based in the UK and the United Arab Emirates. Professor Ralph Tabberer, founder and owner of BBD Education, said: “Gordonstoun School is one of the top schools in the world with a unique and exceptional record in all-round education, based on its founder Kurt Hahn’s principles of service and challenge.”
In the second half of last year, Dukes acquired five London settings: Heathside School; Bright Beginnings; Broomfield House; Hopes & Dreams Montessori; and Radnor House Twickenham.
Gordonstoun, Scotland
Higher education
UK: Work complete on new music institute Work has been completed on a £9.5 million project to create a new music institute called Resonance in Brierley Hill, West Midlands, which will offer degrees for students seeking a career in a range of music industries and will teach everything from popular music performance, production, composition and business. The building has been completed by fit-out and refurbishment firm Overbury and includes classrooms, lecture theatres, recording studios, practise rooms and a radio station, transforming the former office building, which has lain empty for eight years.
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David Barnard, co-director at Resonance, said: “The priority is to immerse students into a real-world environment working on project briefs designed in partnership with industry colleagues. People say the music ‘industry’, but really it’s music ‘industries’ as there are so many avenues and opportunities for students to explore. “For every star on stage, there’s an army of people behind the scenes, be they session musicians, songwriters, producers, sound engineers, stage managers, PR agents and more. Our programme will blend musical, technical and
practical skills with personal and professional development, entrepreneurship and enterprise. Our objective is to create workready graduates, who are not frightened to explore new ideas and have a go. The Resonance professional diploma, running alongside our degree courses, will provide an enriching experience developing the essential soft skills needed for an ever-changing global industry.” Applications are being accepted for courses beginning in September. Fees are £9,250 a year.
EducationInvestor Global • March 2020
