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FEATURED PRINCIPAL:
AN INSIDE LOOK AT DURHAM SCHOOL This month we talk to Mark Atkins, the principal of Durham School in Dubai, about what makes a good education, what challenges students are facing today and how to keep kids motivated in the classroom. 36 | NOVEMBER 2022 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Mark Atkins graduated from the University of Birmingham and has been a teacher for 36 years. He still makes sure that he teaches as “frankly, it’s the best part of the job” he says, while also acknowledging that it is essential he demonstrates that he can ‘walk the walk’ as well as ‘talk the talk’. In his career, Atkins has held numerous school leadership positions, including headships in the UK and the Principal role in a number of international schools. He has become something of a specialist in establishing international schools and, as Chief Operating Officer of a large UK international school group, has worked to help set up British curriculum schools in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Egypt and China. Atkins is also Chairman of Governors for a specialist UK pupil referral unit (PRU) that was established to provide for behaviourally challenged pupils in a deprived area of north Kent.
What inspired you to want to be a teacher and a principal? There is no more important job than teaching. Teachers who connect with pupils, take the time to understand them, to guide them and appreciate their talents, have a profound effect on the rest of their lives. We can all remember the great teachers that helped to shape our lives and we should be thankful. As to being a principal, that just happened over time, I most certainly did not set out to become a school leader - I am happiest in the classroom.
