Seeing brilliance. Challenging it. Celebrating it.

What we believes

• Intelligence is plural. Verbal, quantitative, non-verbal, and spatial strengths matter—and they interact.

• Strengths first, always. We accelerate what a learner does best, then connect it to areas that need development.

• High challenge + high care. Stretch only works with safety, clarity, and support.

• Evidence-informed, human-centred. Data guides; relationships transform.

• Progress you can see. Students leave with artefacts, scores, and stories that show who they are becoming.

Promises

• To students: We will see your strengths early (verbal, quantitative, non-verbal, spatial), design the next step fast, and pair high challenge with high care—so you find your purpose, belonging, and a place to excel.

• To families: Personalised plans, clear goals, and regular, measurable updates (work, data, and stories). We’ll communicate early, celebrate progress, and act quickly when something isn’t working.

• To partner schools: Professionalism and curriculum alignment, safeguarding first, and added value you can see—extension for high potential, targeted support for gaps, and transparent impact reporting.

Meet our Executive Leadership Team:

Samuel Mott Founder - Director of Lighthouse Academy

Samuel Mott is the Founder and Director of Lighthouse Academy. With a background in teaching and educational leadership across international schools, he is passionate about bringing the Lighthouse vision to life through our Talent Development Pathway — ensuring every learner’s brilliance is seen, challenged, and celebrated through high-challenge learning and personalised guidance.

He previously served as Head of Gifted & Talented at King’s College Doha and as an Event Coordinator for the World Scholar’s Cup.

As Director, Samuel continues to shape Lighthouse Academy’s pathways and academic support, building confident, curious learners with strong character.

Cynthia Bolton, M.Ed - Director of Global School Solutions

Cynthia Bolton is a respected leader in gifted and talented education with extensive experience across Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education division. As former Head of Gifted Support (Academic Affairs) at Qatar Foundation, she helped launch the Qatar Foundation Gifted Enrichment Programs in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY).

Through Lighthouse Global School Solutions, Cynthia helps bring the Lighthouse vision to life globally, supporting schools to adopt our talent development systems and wider digital solutions — so more learners’ brilliance is seen, challenged, and celebrated. Her expertise helps ensure our partner schools deliver gifted and high-potential provision that is practical, measurable, and aligned with international best practice.

Ms. Khan leads Lighthouse Academy’s University & Careers Guidance Division — the final “end destination” of the Lighthouse journey. She supports students as they progress through their talent development pathway, helping them turn their strengths into clear next steps towards university, scholarships, and future careers.

Guided by our vision to ensure every learner’s brilliance is seen, challenged, and celebrated, Ms. Khan provides personalised mentorship across UK, US, Canadian, and European systems. She supports families through each stage — from course selection and personal statements to interviews and scholarship applications — helping students clarify their direction, build confidence, and pursue pathways that truly reflect who they are.

Mahjabeen Khan, M.Ed - Director of Higher Education & Careers Guidance

Harry White, MPhil, MS - Director of Homeschool Curriculum

Harry White, MPhil, MS, serves as Lighthouse Academy’s Director of Homeschool Curriculum, leading the design of our bespoke British-style homeschool pathways with a clear focus on talent development. With two postgraduate degrees specialising in education and experience teaching both the British Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate (IB), he builds structured, high-quality programmes that are flexible, measurable, and parent-friendly.

Harry is particularly passionate about supporting learners who thrive outside traditional schooling — including student athletes, young performers, high-ability learners who need greater challenge, and students who simply work best in a calm home-learning environment. His approach helps families protect training and performance schedules while maintaining academic rigour and long-term progression towards each learner’s goals.

He is currently pursuing a PhD in homeschooling, strengthening Lighthouse Academy’s ability to deliver academically rigorous, globally informed home-learning pathways that support both excellence and individuality.