BSD School Leadership

Principal, BSD

David Bolton graduated from the University of Chester in 1986 with a degree in physical education and English. He began his teaching career in Athens, Greece at Campion International School as head of primary PE and Year 6 teacher. He then returned to the U.K. to teach at Holy Trinity School in Liverpool, followed by a position as deputy headteacher at St. Brigid’s Primary School. He worked there for eight years and was responsible for implementing a variety of initiatives including Healthy Schools, Investors in People and Eco Schools. David also established key relationships with a number of universities in the region to develop a thriving teacher training program.

In 2006, David joined the Dhahran British Grammar School. He has worked in various roles including Year 6 teacher, primary literacy coordinator, key stage leader, head of primary and he has now moved into the position of principal. He has seen many significant changes in the time he has worked for ISG, with a huge increase in student numbers and major structural developments around the campus. He is looking forward to the role of Principal and the opportunity to continue to work collaboratively with colleagues from the Senior and Primary Schools and from Sara Village School.

Primary School Headteacher, BSD

Dufney is originally from Carolina, South Africa and graduated with bachelor’s of education from the University of Pretoria. She has also completed her Masters of Education from the American College for Education and is currently pursuing a National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) through the Department for Education in the UK.

Dufney has taught in England, South Africa, UAE and Saudi Arabia. She joined British School Dhahran along with her family in 2015 and has fulfilled various roles within the school community.

Dufney believes in fostering a culture of risk taking, celebrating successes as well as failures as stepping stones to success. She believes that international education provides students with an incredible backdrop to experience life through a multi-dimensional lens. 

“Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond and we cease to be alone.” - Wendell Berry.

Senior School Headteacher, BSD

Rachel Cannon is originally from Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. She graduated from the University of London with a Bachelor of Science (honors) in biology before receiving her teaching certificate and taking up a post at a large comprehensive school in Milton Keynes, U.K. Rachel then travelled to Botswana to teach science in a government school and subsequently discovered international school teaching. She received her master's degree in educational leadership from Buckingham University, U.K. She is currently pursuing National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

Rachel has taught middle and high school science in: Sandford Community School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; the Anglo American School of Sofia in Bulgaria; the International School of Tanganyika in Tanzania; and the Bavarian International School in Germany. She joined ISG as the Head of Science at BSD in 2012. As Assistant Principal of BSD (Senior School), her goal is to continue to promote effective teaching and learning among the BSD community.