Sir John Leman High School teacher Michael Wilson is in Doha

Michael Wilson was the deputy headteacher at Sir John Leman High School in Beccles from 2012 to 2016 and then went to work at Alde Valley Academy in Leiston.

Now however he is making his mark in the oil-rich Middle Eastern state after making the 4,000-mile journey there.

Over the past year, he has overseen the dramatic transformation of one of the largest schools in Qatar, Newton International Academy which is situated close to the World Cup Stadium in Lusail.

"I never expected to move to Qatar, it was by sheer chance.

"It was a huge gamble as I had a young family at the time but it was an opportunity that could not be missed", he said.

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“It was an exciting time to arrive in Qatar amid all the preparations with the World Cup.

"I was seeing a lot of misinformation in the media. Doha, the capital city, is a mixture of different cultures and nationalities but somehow the diversity has become a strength.

"Yes, we respect the traditions and values of the state and the playing of the national anthem every morning is a norm. This brings us together and sets us all up for the day.” 

Michael Wilson, former deputy headteacher at the Sir John Leman in Beccles, pictured in Qatar (Image: Submitted)READ MORE: 'Heartbroken and worried sick': Family's heartfelt plea for missing man’s return

He said the academy had seen upheaval and has now been transformed into a centre of academic excellence and the school has become one of the country’s great success stories.

"It was hard work and required dedication but the skills of leadership and the values that I acquired at Sir John Leman High School and at Alde Valley Academy have been my bedrock.

"I will never forget where I started and I will always be grateful," he said.

"It is a long way from Beccles to Doha but Beccles is home and despite all the problems that the UK is experiencing, Suffolk is still a wonderful place to live."