Mr Darren Jones has been appointed as the Founding Headmaster of Ardingly Astana, the first branch of the prestigious British independent school Ardingly College in Kazakhstan. The school will open in Astana in September 2024, offering a British education for children aged 5 to 10 in its inaugural year, with plans to expand into Secondary school grades in subsequent years.  

With a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Mr Darren Jones stands as a seasoned professional in education, backed by three decades of leadership roles in renowned schools across the UK, Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Additionally, Mr Jones holds a Graduate Diploma in Jazz, Contemporary, and Popular Music, 1st Class (GCLCM). He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, the Chartered College of Teachers, and the Chartered Institute of Managers.

Asel Sugurbayeva, CEO of Primus Education LLP, remarked in her address: “We are delighted to have Mr Darren Jones, a distinguished professional who aligns with our values, mission, and vision, leading Ardingly Astana School. We firmly believe that his leadership will ensure the implementation of exemplary educational standards and innovative methodologies of the flagship school, Ardingly College, renowned for its consistent high performance in various UK rankings. We anticipate his contribution will yield a lasting and positive influence on our school community."

Mr Darren Jones also expressed his enthusiasm for the forthcoming endeavours at Ardingly Astana: “I am profoundly inspired by the opportunity to lead Ardingly Astana as its founding headmaster. My confidence in the impact of education and its transformational power is limitless. I strive to create an educational environment that will inspire, support, and instil in pupils a passion for knowledge, creativity, and self-development. I look forward to working with our wonderful team of highly qualified teachers, talented pupils, and caring parents to continue building the future of our children and our school together.”

About Ardingly College

Ardingly College is a leading coeducational day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 18. While Ardingly was founded back in 1858, it is a modern and forward-looking school, having recently published its Towards 2030 strategy which renews the College’s World ReadyTM vision for the next generation of students. Ardingly College is located in 240 acres of glorious West Sussex countryside yet is less than half an hour from Gatwick Airport and under an hour by train from central London.  Ardingly has been consistently ranked as one of the top 10 schools in the UK for its IB results and is in The Sunday Times’ top 50 schools nationally for A Level results. In 2023, Ardingly College Zhongshan opened its doors as the first Ardingly College International school. The inaugural school in Kazakhstan, Ardingly Astana is scheduled to open in 2024.

The official website of Ardingly College: www.ardingly.com

Media contacts: Ainur Zhulbarissova, PR Manager at Primus Capital, a.zhulbarissova@primuscapital.kz

The official website of Primus Capital: www.primuscapital.kz