Brighton College and Cognita partner to launch new international school in Singapore

Brighton College, in partnership with leading global schools group Cognita, is delighted to announce the plan to open a new international school in Singapore in September 2020, subject to relevant regulatory approvals.

Brighton College (Singapore), for children aged 18 months to 11 years, will draw upon the strengths of its parent school in the UK, established in 1845 and awarded Independent School of the Year 2018-19 by the Sunday Times, and Cognita, a growing family of diverse yet connected schools spanning 8 countries. The partnership involves Brighton College leading the educational philosophy, school ethos and curricula, while Cognita will lead the day-to-day operation of the new international school, with governance by a joint board.

Brighton College is the UK’s leading 3-18 co-educational school, with Oxford and Cambridge its top two university destinations for recent past pupils. Currently, 105 former pupils are studying at the two universities, with several more at American Ivy League universities.

Brighton College combines traditions of hard work, courtesy and good manners with an innovative UK-based curricular and co-curricular blend of education, for which Brighton College has been named “the most forward looking school in the UK ” by The Week for the last two years.

Richard Cairns, Head Master of Brighton College in the UK, said the partnership with Cognita will bring many benefits for the new school in Singapore:

“Collaboration and the sharing of best educational practice are central to Cognita’s philosophy. The ability for Brighton College (Singapore) to connect with Cognita’s extensive global network of over 70 schools across 3 continents is a powerful advantage. 

"These connections will enrich the experience of students as well as staff, helping foster a dynamic and successful school that offers a great fit with Singapore and both the Brighton and Cognita groups.”

Michael Drake, Cognita’s CEO for Asia, added: “The possibilities from two great educational organisations coming together are truly exciting. We are delighted to be introducing this leading British educator to complement our successful US and Australian schools in Singapore. We look forward to the positive impact Brighton College will have here in Singapore.”

Brighton College (Singapore) will be led by Paul Wilson, who joins from Brighton College in the UK where he has spent the last eight years and currently leads academic, co-curricular and pastoral areas for the College.

Commenting on his appointment, Paul said: “My family and I are delighted to be moving to Singapore: establishing a school in such a dynamic and successful country is a very exciting opportunity. 

"My vision for Brighton College in Singapore is for a forward-looking school that prioritises emotional well-being and fosters a life-long love of learning: a school where pupils look to the needs of their classmates, but are also engaged with their local community and are aware of global issues; a school where pupils are resilient, confident and grateful for their opportunities; and a school where teachers stoke the children’s natural curiosity, fuelling their desire to investigate and understand the world around them. 

"It is a privilege to put these fundamentals in place, enabling pupils to take full advantage of the next stage of their education.”