#389: Inside Dubai's Most Prestigious School | Dubai College Headmaster Tomas Duckling on Education, Character & The Future of Learning

What  should schools  really be teaching the next generation?  

In this episode, Spencer sits down with  Tomas Duckling, Headmaster of  one of the most prestigious schools in the UAE, to explore the pressures shaping modern education, the role of parents in an increasingly competitive system, the impact of technology and AI on learning and why the future of education must focus on building  good humans, not just high achievers .  

Tomas' path into education was unexpected. After travelling the world in his early twenties, he began working at a North London school supporting refugees and immigrant communities. What started as a temporary role quickly became a calling, launching an international career that took him from  Brunei  to  Aiglon  College in Switzerland , one of the world's most expensive schools.  

Now leading Dubai College, Tomas believes schools should focus on far more than exam results. His mission is to develop  character, empathy, kindness, and leadership , preparing students not just for academic success but to become good humans who can make a meaningful impact on the world.  

 

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introducing Tomas Duckling and Dubai College  
02:05 – The history of Dubai College and why it's so oversubscribed  
04:15 – Removing the debenture system and creating merit-based admissions  
07:12 – Tomas' unconventional journey into teaching  
10:03 – From London classrooms to international schools in Brunei  
13:48 – Teaching at  Aiglon  College in Switzerland  
17:10 – How global experiences shaped his philosophy on education  
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