Experienced British and international school leader to join Cheltenham Muscat as Principal in January 2027
Muscat, Oman,October 2026: Cheltenham Muscat is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Daniel Doyle as its new Principal from January 2027.
Bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience across British and international education, Dr Doyle has built a career focused on developing successful schools, improving academic outcomes, building strong leadership teams and creating educational opportunities for young people. He currently leads a Multi-Academy Trust in England as its founding Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, every school within the organisation is now rated Good or Outstanding through its respective inspection framework, with outcomes exceeding national averages.
Dr Doyle also brings significant experience from the Gulf, where he has led a British international school to record GCSE and A Level results and an Outstanding British Schools Overseas judgement. His work has included strengthening educational provision, developing innovative curriculum pathways and preparing students for future study and careers. Throughout his career, Dr Doyle has led schools through significant improvement and held senior executive roles supporting school improvement and leadership development in the UK and internationally.
Dr Doyle holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham, where his research focused on curriculum, educational policy and pupil development. His leadership is shaped by a belief that exceptional schools should combine outstanding academic outcomes with extraordinary opportunity — equipping young people with the judgement to know what matters, the courage to act on it and the capacity to make a meaningful difference.
Commenting on his appointment as Principal of Cheltenham Muscat, Dr Daniel Doyle said: “I am delighted to be joining Cheltenham Muscat. There is already much here to be proud of and a significant opportunity to build on those strong foundations. Cheltenham brings extraordinary educational heritage, while Muscat brings a remarkable country, culture and future. Together, they provide an extraordinary platform to shape the next chapter of Cheltenham Muscat.”
Cheltenham Muscat draws on more than 180 years of educational heritage through its founding school, Cheltenham College UK. This partnership brings the expertise and traditions of one of Britain’s leading schools to Oman, while ensuring Cheltenham Muscat remains closely connected to Oman’s culture, values and national ambitions.
Mr Alan Etherton, International Schools Director at Cheltenham College UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dr Daniel Doyle as the new Principal of Cheltenham Muscat. His leadership experience, commitment to academic excellence and belief in the potential of every young person align strongly with the values of a Cheltenham education. We look forward to working with him as he leads the school into its next chapter.”
Dr Doyle will succeed Mr Richard Snape, who has played a significant role in the development of Cheltenham Muscat. Under Mr Snape’s leadership, the school has strengthened its academic provision, developed its Sixth Form and built a strong school community. His leadership, commitment and care have made an important contribution to the school’s progress. Mr Snape will continue to lead Cheltenham Muscat until the end of Term 1 and will work closely with Dr Doyle to ensure a smooth and carefully planned transition.
Mr Darren Gale, Managing Director, GCC for Cognita, added: “Mr Snape has led Cheltenham Muscat with enormous commitment and care. I want to thank him personally for his leadership and for everything he has contributed to our students, families, colleagues and wider school community. This is an exciting moment for Cheltenham Muscat. Dr Doyle’s appointment is about looking confidently to the future and taking the school into the next stage of its development. We have high ambitions for the school, and I am confident that Dr Doyle will work with our whole community to build on what has already been achieved.”
Cheltenham Muscat enters this next stage from a position of strength, with clear ambition for the future and a continued commitment to providing an exceptional British international education in Oman.
