Durham School, one of the UK's oldest, is to open a branch in Dubai in August.
The branch, a 32 million-square-metre campus in Dubai Investments Park, will be able to cater to more than 1,700 pupils when completed.
The new property features a Foundation Stage section, a primary and secondary classroom complex with specialist science, art and IT labs, a music performance hall, auditorium, a multi-purpose sports hall and a 25-metre indoor swimming pool.
Mark Atkins, who has a 35-year career in education that includes setting up and heading schools in Dubai, has been appointed the founding principal of the new school. He has also been involved in developing new schools in the Middle East, India, China, Malaysia and Europe.
Durham School was founded in 1414 and refounded in 1541 by King Henry VIII.
Durham School Dubai will be its third overseas branch, following the opening of Durham International School, Nairobi, Kenya, in January 2021 and Durham School for Girls, Doha, in September 2019.
"With its strategic location, excellent facilities, competitive fee levels, experienced leadership team led by principal Mark Atkins and an uncompromising dedication to the quality of education, we are confident that Durham School Dubai will quickly establish a strong reputation," said Kieran McLaughlin, headmaster of Durham School.
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
