Brighton College (Singapore) interview with Head of College, Mr Nick Davies.

Mr Nick Davies：This year, Brighton College (Singapore) is focusing on several key initiatives aimed at enhancing both our facilities and educational offerings. With the opening of our senior school in August 2024, we have introduced a range of new facilities, including a senior school common room, digital innovation lab, new library, and dining hall. We are also continuing to expand our physical space, with plans to take over additional levels of our current building, to accommodate our growing senior school. In terms of curriculum, we have recruited nine new secondary school teachers, including a Deputy Head Academic, to broaden the range of subjects offered at the secondary level, ensuring a comprehensive and well-rounded education for our pupils. We are also proud to have introduced a brand new scheme to Singapore, known as our ‘Preparation for Primary Course (PCP)’. This course provides an unparalleled level of English support from specialist teachers to those pupils who have a beginner’s level of English language. When pupils have sufficient fluency, they graduate from the PCP scheme and join our mainstream classes.

At Brighton College (Singapore), we are deeply committed to nurturing three core values in our pupils: curiosity, kindness, and confidence. We aim to foster a natural sense of curiosity by employing innovative teaching methods that inspire and challenge our pupils to explore and question the world around them. We instil confidence by providing opportunities for pupils to push their boundaries, teaching them the value of perseverance and dedication. Equally important, we emphasize the significance of kindness, ensuring that our pupils understand the importance of treating others with respect and courtesy, which is fundamental to building a supportive and inclusive school community.

Brighton College (Singapore) stands out due to its commitment to providing a holistic and continuous education that spans from early years through to secondary school. Our unique learning environment, offers pupils a vibrant and diverse educational experience. Additionally, our gradual and strategic expansion into an all-through school, coupled with our focus on values such as curiosity, kindness, and confidence, ensures that we are not just educating pupils academically but also preparing them to be well-rounded individuals ready to face the challenges of the future. Another unique quality are our extremely close links to Brighton College in the UK, the leading independent school in Britain; this relationship plays a significant role in helping us provide an enriching education to our pupils. Therefore, the combination of strong academics, the support of Brighton College in the UK, our carefully crafted and supportive environment and the critical role of our values, sets us apart from other schools in Singapore.

At Brighton College (Singapore), we believe that collaboration with parents and the local community is essential to the success of our pupils. We view parents as key partners in the educational journey, and we actively engage them through various channels, including regular communication, parent-teacher meetings, and involvement in school events. Our newly refurbished parent café within the Early Learning Village is a testament to our commitment to fostering a strong school community. We are also very proud of our ‘Brighton Society’ group, which serves to help parents meet one another, at a range of different social events; we will be hosting a Brighton Society quiz night for some 200 of our pupils’ parents at the end of the 2nd week of this academic year. We know that through maintaining open lines of communication and creating spaces for parents to be involved, we ensure that our pupils receive the support they need both at school and at home.

One of the primary challenges we face in the current educational environment is managing the rapid growth of our pupil population, particularly at the senior school level. As we transition into an all-through school, there is a need to ensure that we have the necessary infrastructure, staff, and resources in place to support this expansion. To address these challenges, we have carefully planned our growth trajectory, which includes the gradual takeover of additional levels in our current building, to accommodate our increasing pupil numbers. We have also recruited experienced secondary school teachers to ensure that we can offer a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of our diverse pupil body.

Brighton College (Singapore) takes a proactive approach to ensuring the well-being and mental health of our pupils. We have established a supportive and inclusive school culture that emphasizes kindness and respect, which are core values of our institution. Our pastoral care system is designed to identify and address issues such as bullying at an early stage, ensuring that all pupils feel safe and supported. We train pupils in how to identify and respond to incident of bullying. Additionally, we have trained staff members and school counsellors, who are equipped to provide mental health support, and we offer workshops and programs aimed at promoting resilience and emotional well-being among our pupils.

In recognition of our diverse pupil population, Brighton College (Singapore) places a strong emphasis on the continuous professional development of our teaching staff. We have implemented training programs that equip our teachers with the skills and knowledge needed to address the varying needs of our pupils, including those who may be new to English. Our newly introduced Preparatory Course for Primary, designed to help pupils with beginner-level English proficiency, is supported by specialist staff training to ensure effective delivery. Additionally, we encourage our teachers to pursue further qualifications and attend workshops that focus on the latest educational practices and strategies for engaging diverse learners.

As a headmaster, I firmly believe in the importance of creating an educational environment that is both challenging and supportive. I value a holistic approach to education, where academic excellence is balanced with the development of character and well-being. At Brighton College (Singapore), we strive to foster curiosity, kindness, and confidence in our pupils, as these values are essential for success both within and beyond the classroom. I also believe in the power of collaboration between educators, parents, and the community, as this partnership is vital in nurturing pupils who are not only knowledgeable but also empathetic and resilient.

One memorable episode that stands out is the story of a Year 6 pupil who initially struggled with confidence in expressing herself in class. Over time, through the support of her teachers and the inclusive environment at Brighton College (Singapore), she began to find her voice. By the end of last year, she not only participated actively in class discussions but also took a lead role in last term’s school play ‘Snow White’. This play was a 90 minute extravaganza, with over 80 pupils involved. Her powerful performance, requiring singing and dancing as well as acting, was all the more memorable, when one considered just how much this pupil’s confidence had developed. This transformation is a testament to the nurturing environment we provide at Brighton College (Singapore), where pupils are encouraged to challenge themselves and discover their potential. It’s moments like these that highlight the growth we aim to inspire in every pupil at our school.