Dover Court Welcomes New Principal Richard Vaughan

A Global Education Leader

Most recently Principal of the British International School Hanoi, Mr Vaughan has held senior leadership positions across Europe and Asia, including within the Nord Anglia Education family of schools. Throughout his career, he has been committed to creating environments where students are supported, challenged and inspired to achieve their full potential.

Born in Sri Lanka and educated in New Zealand and the UK, Mr Vaughan brings a truly international perspective shaped by living and working across multiple countries and cultures. He holds a Bachelor of Education (Hons) from Westminster College, Oxford, and the National Professional Qualification for Headship from the National College for School Leadership in the UK.

A passionate advocate for lifelong learning, Mr Vaughan often describes himself as a learner first. He believes education has the power to transform lives and is committed to creating school cultures where students and staff alike are encouraged to learn, grow and continually develop.

Joining a Community Built on Belonging

Reflecting on his appointment, Mr Vaughan shared that his connection with Dover Court began long before arriving in Singapore. Having followed the school’s development for years, he admired its reputation for achieving outstanding outcomes through an inclusive approach that enables every student to succeed.
“I’ve been aware of Dover Court for a number of years and have seen the school growing and developing from a distance. One of the reasons I was excited to join was the opportunity to become part of this culture and community.”

A strong sense of belonging is central to Mr Vaughan’s educational philosophy.

“What makes a school feel like home is belonging,” he explained. “Creating an environment where students feel valued, understood and connected is incredibly important. When people feel that they belong, they are more comfortable being themselves, learn more effectively, embrace new challenges and achieve their potential.”

This philosophy aligns closely with Dover Court’s longstanding commitment to inclusion, academic excellence, personalised learning, and supporting every student to achieve more than they imagined. Mr Vaughan sees the school’s warm community, strong values, and inclusive culture as key foundations for continued success.

Shaping the Next Chapter

As Dover Court looks to the future, Mr Vaughan is excited by the opportunity to build on the school’s strong foundations while learning from and alongside its community.

“I am genuinely looking forward to learning here, understanding the school community and helping Dover Court become the very best version of itself,” he said.

“The school has a proud 50-plus-year history, and I’m excited to work alongside students, staff and families as we build on that strong foundation and shape the next chapter together.”

Having led schools across diverse international contexts, Mr Vaughan is passionate about helping young people develop not only academically, but also as confident, compassionate and globally minded individuals. He believes education has the power to transform lives and create positive change within communities.

Life Beyond School

Outside of school, Mr Vaughan enjoys running, tennis, golf, travelling and music. He is married to Alison, a qualified educator, and together they have two adult children, Harriet and Tom. Having lived and worked across several countries, Mr Vaughan brings a global perspective and a deep appreciation for the diverse international communities that schools create.