Founding leaders from Intellego and Brighton College International gather in London to mark the start of the pre opening year for Madrid and Rome.

Exceptional schools are built deliberately. On 1 and 2 September 2026, founding leaders from Brighton College Rome, Brighton College Madrid, Brighton College International, and Intellego Education gathered in London for Foundation ’27. The two day leadership summit marked the formal transition into the pre opening year ahead of welcoming founding pupils in September 2027.

Thirty senior leaders, including Headmasters James Hodgson and George Hartley, convened to align on governance, operational readiness, and the shared educational values of curiosity, confidence, and kindness that will define both campuses from day one.

The Significance of the Pre Opening Year

Events like Foundation ’27 matter far beyond the agenda on the day. The pre opening year is the most consequential period in a school’s life. It is the window in which foundational choices about school culture, pastoral care, and academic ambition are made long before the first pupil walks through the door.

Bringing the right people into the same room accelerates alignment in ways that months of remote coordination simply cannot. It creates a shared moment of commitment where attendees leave not just informed, but deeply invested. For Intellego, these summits establish a repeatable model for how world class schools are launched with clarity and purpose.

A Shared Commitment to Excellence

The summit reflected the strength of the partnership between Brighton College International and Intellego: uniting Brighton’s world renowned educational heritage and academic DNA with Intellego’s operational platform and local stewardship.

As Christopher Stacey, CEO of Intellego, reflected:

“Foundation ’27 ensures that our leadership teams move forward with complete clarity, rigour, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional schools of lasting significance.”

Exceptional Schools. Distinctive Places.