Two top Perthshire private schools have been taken over by an international education group that features the former deputy prime minister of Qatar.
35 Education plan to pump significant resources into Glenalmond College and Craigclowan School and Nursery.
It has entered into a partnership with the Glenalmond Group to take the schools forward.
The partnership, now official, was first revealed on June 2 and emerged in The Times.
It’s hoped it will “secure the future” of The Glenalmond Group against the challenging economic landscape of the sector.
It comes after Glenalmond College and Craigclowan School and Nursery merged in 2024.
35 Education is headed by Professor Basak Akdemir, a Turkish academic and businesswoman.
She has already announced a “highly experienced senior team”, headed by Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah.
Former Qatari minister appointed president of Glenalmond Group
Al-Attiyah, who served as deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister in Qatar, also has links to the Qatari royal family.
He has been appointed president of the school group.
Professor Akdemir said: “It is a huge privilege to be instrumental in the regeneration of such a historic institution.
“The warmth, enthusiasm and commitment I have seen indicate a dedicated community with a vision for the future.”
Glenalmond College is an independent boarding school for children between 12 and 18-years-old situated on the River Almond, near Methven.
Craigclowan School and Nursery is a private day school for boys and girls aged three to 13 on Perth’s Edinburgh Road.
Describing the work of 35 Education, Professor Akdemir said she has been working closely with Al-Attiyah “for a long period of time” to invest in and establish a partnership with a British school.
Al-Attiyah will also fund 40 scholarships as part of the move.
Professor Akdemir added: “We are honoured that His Excellency has agreed to be President of the Glenalmond Schools Group.
“His Excellency is passionate about education and its ability to transform lives.
“And he is delighted that the group’s purpose is to develop young people of integrity and resourcefulness determined to make the world a better place.”
35 Education says it will “make substantial investments” in Glenalmond and Craigclowan’s sporting facilities and programmes.
Former managing director of Manchester United, Mike Farnan, has been appointed Head of Sports Strategy to lead the sporting transformation.
In 2024, Fife farmer Murdo Fraser said he had made sacrifices to send his three children to private school, fearing other families would have to do the same, following the imposition of VAT on private school fees.
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