Our Leadership
William Arthur
Founder/Executive Head
A Legacy of International Leadership
William Arthur is a distinguished and visionary educational leader with over two decades of international experience in founding and leading schools of the highest standard. He is the Founder and Executive Head of British International School Cabo Verde (BISCV), where he brings a proven track record of establishing and transforming institutions into centres of academic excellence.
Mr Arthur is also the Founder and Executive Head of the British International School Dakar (BISD) in Senegal and the Founder and Headmaster of the British International School Gambia (BISG)—widely recognised as The Gambia’s premier British international school. Under his leadership, BISG became the first school in the country to achieve compliance with the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), marking a significant milestone in raising educational standards in the region.
His career spans the United Kingdom, the United States, Nigeria, Oman, and The Gambia, where he has held a range of senior leadership roles. These include Head of School at the International School of Tucson, Arizona; Co-Principal at Day Waterman College, Nigeria; and Head of School at Marina International School, The Gambia. Earlier in his career, he served as Director of Science in several large schools in England, where he played a key role in improving academic outcomes and mentoring teaching staff.
A Cambridge International Education Specialist
As a specialist in the Cambridge International Curriculum, Mr Arthur has been instrumental in delivering high-quality, globally recognised education across multiple contexts. His schools are characterised by strong academic foundations, international outlook, and a commitment to developing confident, well-rounded learners prepared for a global future.
His leadership philosophy is rooted in a child-centred approach that balances academic rigour with personal development. He is deeply committed to professional development, fostering a culture of collaboration, and empowering both staff and pupils to achieve their full potential.
Recognised Impact and Global Contribution
Mr Arthur’s contribution to education has been widely recognised. He has been named among the “100 Most Impactful Education Personalities in Africa”, reflecting his influence in shaping forward-thinking, high-quality educational institutions across the continent.
He has also contributed to the wider educational community as a Principal Internship Supervising Practitioner for the University of Arizona’s Educational Leadership Programme and has mentored trainee teachers from several universities in the United Kingdom.
Our Promise
Under Mr Arthur’s leadership, BISCV offers more than an education—it offers a pathway to the world. By combining the rigour of the British system with the flexibility and international scope of the Cambridge curriculum, he ensures that every pupil receives a truly world-class education in Praia.
“We do not simply prepare pupils for examinations; we prepare them for life. At BISCV, your child becomes part of a legacy of excellence.”
— William Arthur
Mr Arthur holds a National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) from the University of London, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Cambridge, and a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences from the University of Cape Coast.
Outside of his professional work, he enjoys exploring the Atlantic coastline, fishing, and playing tennis.
Sudipta Talapatra
Head of School
We are particularly delighted to welcome Mrs Sudipta Talapatra as the founding Head of School at BISCV.
Mrs Talapatra brings more than 18 years of international leadership experience in education, having held senior leadership positions across international schools and the British Council in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. She previously served as Director of Teaching and Learning for a group of British International Schools in Iraq, where she played a pivotal role in establishing new schools, developing academic systems, leading multicultural teaching teams and preparing schools for international accreditation. More recently, as Academic Director of Dodi International School in Ghana, she successfully led a whole-school improvement programme that more than doubled pupil enrolment while strengthening teaching quality, academic standards and Cambridge accreditation.
Beyond her educational leadership, Mrs Talapatra is also a passionate PADI Scuba Diving Instructor, marine educator and environmental advocate. Through her work in marine conservation and ocean literacy programmes across Africa and Southeast Asia, she has helped inspire young people to understand and protect our natural environment. Given Cabo Verde’s unique marine ecosystem and growing commitment to environmental sustainability, her passion for ocean education and conservation brings an exciting additional dimension to the educational experience we hope to offer our pupils.
Keita Violante
Office Manager
We are equally delighted to welcome Mrs Keita Violante as our Office Manager at BISCV.
Mrs Violante brings a wealth of experience in communications, media and public engagement, having built a distinguished career across Cabo Verde’s leading broadcasters and organisations. She has served as a television journalist and news anchor for Rádio Televisão de Portugal (RTP) Cabo Verde and Redord TV Cabo Verde, presenting live news broadcasts, investigative reports and national events, and most recently held the role of Senior Communications Officer at Unitel T+, where she led institutional communications, stakeholder relations and crisis management.
A graduate in Communication Sciences (Journalism) from Jean Piaget University, Mrs Violante is fluent in Portuguese, English and French, and has been recognised nationally for her work, including the National Human Rights Award for Media Reporting and an Honourable Mention at the National Journalism Awards. Her exceptional organisational skills, professionalism and ability to manage complex projects and relationships make her ideally placed to lead the day-to-day running of our school office, ensuring BISCV runs smoothly for pupils, parents and staff alike.