New Head of School ready to lead

Barnaby Sandow takes on a new role as Head of School at ACS International School Cobham

ACS International School Cobham has appointed Barnaby Sandow as Head of School from the start of the academic year 2019.

Mr Sandow has spent the last five years in south-east Asia as Principal at Jerudong International School in Brunei, and previous to that has many years’ experience as Deputy Principal and Academic Director.

He began his career as a science teacher at Abingdon School and later, as Head of Department at Stowe School. A passionate teacher and champion of international education, Mr Sandow believes that,

schooling with an international outlook is exactly the type of education that the world needs right now. It is imperative that children experience different cultures if they are to be ready for the diverse global society that awaits them. 

The diversity of ACS Cobham’s student community, with over ninety nationalities represented, is of great importance to Mr Sandow and one of the main platforms from which he plans to teach the benefits of a truly global mindset.

Alongside ACS Cobham’s reputation for academic achievement and global university admissions, Mr Sandow is keen to emphasize that a truly good school needs to nurture critical thinking, independence and resilience in students so that they are ready to meet life’s challenges with ease.

“Students should be ready to thrive and flourish on the world stage,” he said, “We can make sure that they are equipped with the skills they need to face challenges head on. Parents should not be led astray by league tables; it’s not about the number they score at the end. Great results are a by-product of happy, healthy children ready for the world that awaits them.”

Married with children of 4, 13 and 14 with wide-ranging interests who have also joined the school, the decision to join ACS is as much of a personal decision affecting the whole family.

‘ACS Cobham is a place where I can see my own family flourishing which makes it easy for me to communicate with enthusiasm to any family that is thinking about joining us."

Tim Cagney, Chief Executive of ACS International Schools, said:

I am delighted that Mr Sandow has joined the ACS International family as the Head of School at Cobham. He is passionate about the benefits of an international education and successfully finds the balance between academic achievement and the development of a nurturing, supportive and inclusive culture in school. He is going to be a wonderful fit for staff and students alike.