Sunmarke, a Fortes School, appoints Dr Hopkin (FRSA) as Principal

DUBAI, UAE: Sunmarke School announces the appointment of Dr Neil Hopkin as its new Principal. He will be taking over the reins from Mr Keith Miller, who has been promoted to Director of Education at Fortes Education.
Dr Hopkin has a Bachelors of Theology (Honours) from the University of Nottingham, a PGCE in Mathematics from Brunel University, and a Masters and PhD in Education from King's College, London. He has been given an ambitious mandate to develop Sunmarke into one of the leading schools in the Middle East and Asia. Prior to joining Sunmarke, Dr Hopkin was Principal of The British International School, Shanghai, China, which he made into one of the leading Nord Anglia Education schools, with the school achieving record IB grades and acceptances to the world’s top universities.
Commenting on the appointment, Mr Sanjay Mankani, Managing Director of Fortes Education, said, “Dr Hopkin is one of the world’s top principals. He is an inspiring and outstanding leader, a gifted orator, and a global thought leader in education. He has joined us because there was a complete resonance with our school’s values and his own. We both believe we have the ability to make Sunmarke a lighthouse school globally and enable our students to extend themselves beyond their dreams. Dr Hopkin joins an outstanding team of leaders and teachers, and an enterprising community of children and parents who are all very excited with his arrival.”
Dr Hopkin said: “I am excited to join the vibrant Sunmarke School community. It’s a school that has amazing qualities in abundance and I look forward to further enhancing an environment where students are challenged and encouraged to think differently, to question, to think critically and creatively, and to not only shine academically, but also flourish so they are equipped for life with a progressive outlook. My goal is to take Sunmarke and our children to beyond outstanding, to what I call 'Amazing’ and to become one of the leading schools in the region and beyond.”
During his 25 years of educational experience, Dr Hopkin has held various leadership roles across schools in the UK, Canada, Australia, America, Singapore and China. Before moving overseas, he was also an advisor to the UK Deputy Prime Minister's Office on Early Years education, Information Communication & Technology (ICT) and the UK's Department for Education’s Curriculum Review. He has also been a regular keynote speaker at the Westminster Education Forum, London, and at international forums.
Beyond augmenting and reimagining Sunmarke’s education, Dr Hopkin will be initiating a host of immediate initiatives like a scholarship programme for the gifted and talented; a leadership and entrepreneurship programme and a financial literacy programme amongst others. The goal is to enable students to develop next generation skills to become future-ready citizens.

NOTE TO EDITORS

About Sunmarke School

Sunmarke is a British Curriculum and IB World School offering Nursery and EYFS to Year 13 provision. We are a leader in ‘Positive Education’ – where exceptional teaching is underpinned by the science of positive psychology and happiness so children flourish learning skills for ‘academics & achievement’ and ‘character development & wellbeing’.

Year on year, Sunmarke School has achieved outstanding academic results at the GCSEs and A-Levels enabling our students to attend the world’s top universities.

About Fortes Education

Fortes Education is a leading education provider which has been active in the building, operation and management of outstanding schools and preschools for over two decades and has consistently delivered a world-class education to thousands of students in the UAE.

Fortes Education comprises Sunmarke School and Regent International School, both rated “Very Good” with outstanding features by KHDA, and Jumeirah International Nurseries, one of the leading nursery brands in Dubai.

Fortes Education’s vision is to be one of the leading school and early education providers in the region by building truly exceptional schools which inspire, empower and enlighten students, and enrich the communities that we are part of. The organisation is committed to inclusive education and making a high quality education accessible to all, and works closely with the local government authorities to improve the standards of education in its communities.

Visit: forteseducation.com and www.sunmarkedubai.com

Media Enquiries:

Christina Wright-Lyons / Sunmarke School

Tel: +971 50 370 4833 Email: c.lyons@fortesholdings.com

Sunmarke School

Fortes Education is a leading education provider which has been active in the building, operation and management of outstanding schools and preschools for over two decades and has consistently delivered a world-class education to thousands of students in the UAE.

Fortes Education comprises Sunmarke School and Regent International School, both rated “Very Good” with outstanding features by KHDA, and Jumeirah International Nurseries, one of the leading nursery brands in Dubai.