New Principal Doug Pettitt shares how the school is combining academic ambition, strong values and genuine care
PARTNER CONTENT: In education, academic ambition and inclusion are sometimes presented as opposing forces.
Doug Pettitt, Principal of Mamoura British Academy, sees them differently. He believes children thrive when they are both supported and stretched, and that high expectations should never be reserved for a select few.
Instead, every child should be given the opportunity, encouragement and confidence to succeed.
It is a philosophy that aligns closely with Mamoura’s values-led culture and will help shape the school’s next chapter.
With more than 30 years in education and a track record of leading schools to outstanding outcomes in both the UK and UAE, Pettitt arrives at Mamoura at an exciting point in its journey.
The school has already established a strong reputation as a character-focused British curriculum school with a distinctive local identity. Now, under his leadership, it is preparing for its next phase of growth.
High expectations for every child
For Pettitt, academic excellence and inclusion are not competing priorities.
“The strongest school communities are those where care and ambition are intrinsically linked,” he explains.
“Every child has the potential to thrive when they are known as individuals and given the right support and stretch.”
At Mamoura, this means maintaining high expectations for all students while recognising that every child learns differently.
Rather than lowering expectations, the focus is on providing the right scaffolding, challenge and opportunities to help every learner succeed. Central to this approach is the school’s commitment to relationships.
From pastoral care and student voice initiatives to close partnerships with parents, the aim is to ensure that no child becomes anonymous within the school community.
“A child cannot thrive academically if they feel invisible, uncertain or disconnected from school,” says Pettitt.
A school with a strong sense of identity
What attracted Pettitt to Mamoura was not only its potential for further growth but also its strong sense of purpose.
Unlike many international schools that strive for a broad global identity, Mamoura has developed something more distinctive: a British curriculum education deeply connected to Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
“Mamoura brings together the rigour of the British curriculum with a strong commitment to UAE culture, national identity, family values and community connection,” he says.
This balance is particularly important given that the school serves a significant Emirati student population while also welcoming families from more than 50 nationalities. The result is a school community that feels both internationally minded and locally rooted.
Parents often describe Mamoura as having a family atmosphere, something Pettitt views as one of the school’s greatest strengths.
“In a competitive market, schools can sometimes focus too heavily on facilities, branding or headline results. What parents remember most is how their child is treated.”
Values that matter
At the centre of school life are Mamoura’s TRACK values: Trust, Respect, Aspiration, Courage and Kindness.
For Pettitt, these values are more relevant than ever for young people growing up in an increasingly complex world shaped by technology, artificial intelligence and rapid social change.
“Academic qualifications are essential, but they are not enough on their own,” he says. “Young people also need values, judgement, resilience and a strong sense of identity.”
Rather than existing as words on a wall, the TRACK values underpin daily life at Mamoura. They shape classroom culture, relationships and the way students approach both learning and leadership.
The values also align closely with the wider aspirations of the UAE, where ambition, innovation, tolerance and respect for heritage sit side by side.
Learning beyond the classroom
One area Pettitt is particularly excited to develop further is Mamoura’s industry partnership programme.
The school already works to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences, helping students engage with authentic challenges, professional environments and future career pathways.
In a city like Abu Dhabi, where industries ranging from aviation and healthcare to sustainability and technology are rapidly evolving, Pettitt sees enormous potential.
“Industry partnerships should help students see possibility,” he says. “They should leave students thinking: This could be me.”
Importantly, these opportunities are designed for all learners, not only the most academically confident.
By embedding real-world experiences throughout the curriculum, students can discover strengths in leadership, creativity, teamwork, enterprise and problem-solving alongside traditional academic success.
Looking ahead
As he reflects on the future, Pettitt’s vision is both ambitious and reassuringly grounded. He wants Mamoura to be recognised as one of the leading British curriculum schools in the region, not only for academic outcomes but for the kind of young people it develops.
His goal is to nurture students who are academically accomplished, values-driven, confident and connected to the world around them.
“We want students who are globally aware, but not rootless,” he says. “We want them to be open to the world, and principles-driven.”
For parents, perhaps the most compelling aspect of Mamoura’s next chapter is that growth will not come at the expense of the school’s culture.
The warmth, belonging and community spirit that families value today remain central to the vision ahead.
As Mamoura British Academy continues its journey, Pettitt’s message is clear: high standards and strong relationships belong together. This is a school where high expectations are matched by genuine care.
To learn more, visit mamourabritishacademy.ae
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