We are delighted to announce the appointment of Naomi Atkins as the Founding Principal for Bedford School Mohali. This appointment marks another significant step in establishing the first British international girls’ school in India and the first British-branded school in North India, which will open in April 2026.
A visionary leader with a distinguished career in education, Naomi brings a wealth of experience in both UK and international schools, coupled with a proven track record of founding, developing and leading high-performing institutions. Her leadership career includes senior roles at renowned schools such as Dulwich College in China, The British School Jakarta, The Stephen Perse Foundation and The Prince of Wales Island International School.
Naomi’s international experience is extensive. She served as Founding Principal of The Perse School Suzhou, China, successfully establishing the school from inception. At Dulwich College in China, she held the positions of Head of Senior School and Vice Principal of College, overseeing the introduction of IGCSE examinations and the IB Diploma accreditation process. Naomi has also served as an IB accreditation team member. She has also contributed her expertise as Vice Principal (11–18) and Head of Sixth Form at The Stephen Perse Foundation in Cambridge, Director of Studies at Prince of Wales Island International School in Malaysia, Assistant Head – Operations at The British School in Jakarta, and Teacher in Charge of IBDP Economics at the International School of Paris.
Her qualifications reflect her commitment to excellence, including an MSc in Business Systems Analysis and Design (Distinction) from City University, London, and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). She is also an experienced teacher of Economics across IGCSE, A Level, and IB Diploma programmes, and an IB Internal Assessment Moderator.
Speaking about her appointment, Ms Atkins said, “It is a privilege to be entrusted with leading Bedford School Mohali at such a formative moment in its history. This is an exciting opportunity to create a school community that combines academic excellence with exceptional pastoral care, in an environment where every girl can flourish. I look forward to working closely with the Bedford School UK team, our partners in India, and our founding staff to bring this vision to life.”
James Hodgson, Head Master of Bedford School, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Naomi Atkins as Founding Principal. Her experience, vision and commitment to nurturing the whole child make her the ideal person to lead Bedford School Mohali. We are confident that, under her leadership, the school will quickly establish itself as a beacon of international education in India.”
Bedford School Mohali will be a state-of-the-art, purpose-built campus on the outskirts of Chandigarh, offering both day and boarding options for girls aged 3–18. The school will deliver a British curriculum enriched with Indian and global perspectives, supported by world-class facilities, including science and technology laboratories, art and music studios, high-quality sports complexes and a magnificent 1,000-seat auditorium.
Bedford School Mohali is partnership between Bedford School (UK) and the Doon International Education Society, a not-for-profit educational organisation established in 1993 by Mr D S Mann, which has been a pioneer in the Indian public education sector.
You can find out more about Bedford School Mohali on the website or Instagram.
