In May 2007, after careful consideration, I informed the Chairman of the Board of Trustees that I wished to make the current school year my final one in charge of The Sultan’s School.  Throughout my career in teaching, I have tended to plan in five year blocks and in June 2008 I will have completed five years in Oman.  It certainly does not feel like five years as the time has gone so very quickly.  I would like to believe I have accomplished most of what I agreed with the Board of Trustees as the priorities during my time as Principal.  The school is now poised for fresh leadership to steer it through its next stage of development.

The search for my successor is being actively pursued.  A total of 40 applications were received in response to a recent, international advertisement and 15 of these have met with myself and Moq. Abdulhakim Al Sabbagh, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, in locations in London, Jakarta and Dubai, reflecting the geographical spread of candidates.  This process will culminate in three or four short-listed candidates spending a week at the school in mid-December when the final selection will be made.  I am sure, through this process, a strong candidate will emerge who will maintain and build upon the progress which the school has made in recent years.

As for myself, my aim is to embark upon private consultancy work in education for some years before eventually retiring.  I hope to work from my base in Spain and to be involved in projects internationally as well as in the Middle East.  I shall be happy, in this capacity, to assist the Board of The Sultan’s School in any way in the future should they deem my expertise appropriate.

John Birchall
Principal