Blenheim Schools is delighted to announce Mr David Ardley as the Founding Principal of Beech Hall International School, Saudi Arabia

Born in the UK, David grew up in Hong Kong and went to an international school that he loved, his teachers inspiring him to move into the profession.

He returned to UK for university before beginning his teaching career there, leading Design and Technology programmes at Taunton School, Whitgift School and Wellington College. From Wellington, David joined a brand-new Airbus sponsored school in Toulouse, France where he led the Design faculty. It was the first fully lap-topped school in the northern hemisphere in 1999 where every student aged 4 to 18 had a laptop.

David then worked at Stowe school and Cranleigh School as Director of the brand-new Creative Arts Faculty before another overseas opportunity beckoned, this time in Geneva for Nord Anglia, where David led the creative arts faculty and guided the secondary digital strategy.

He joins Beech Hall International School KSA after finishing an assistant headship role at the Lyceum Alpinum, Zuoz near Saint Moritz – an international boarding school in the Swiss Alps. David’s passions include education, classic cars, collecting product design, rugby, listening to rock music and reading. He is married to his French wife, Laurence, and they call ‘home’ the Gers, near Toulouse. They have two grown up daughters, Alexia and Charlotte, and a dog called Dexter.

On the appointment, Anita Gleave, Founder and CEO of Blenheim Schools said “We are so excited about David’s appointment as Founding Principal for Beech Hall International School. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise as an innovative educator and leader and shares our passion for bringing a game-changing new international educational experience to generations of young people in Saudi Arabia.”

David Ardley said “I am honoured and hugely proud to be appointed as the Founding Principal of Beech Hall International School KSA and can’t wait to get started. From the moment I heard more about Blenheim Schools’ vision for a truly reimagined international school in Saudi Arabia, I knew this was a project that I wanted to be a part of.”

For more information about Beech Hall International School KSA, contact Andrew Elias marketing@chatsworthschools.com.