A HEADTEACHER in the county fought off fierce competition to be named as the UK’s best – becoming the first in history to win the award twice.

Richard Cairns, of Brighton College, has been revealed as the winner of Tatler’s Best Public Head award.

He first won the award in 2012 and is the only person to claim the accolade more than once.

Steve Marshall-Taylor, second master at Brighton College, said: “This is a remarkable achievement and is a thoroughly deserved recognition for all he does and has done in ensuring a truly world-class education for every pupil in the Brighton College family.”

The college said Richard won the award for his community partnerships, “particularly the school’s work with local refugee groups”.

Richard created a weekly support space for people fleeing Syria in 2015, which led to the college’s Opening Doors programme, offering 20 free scholarships to “talented local young people who have faced adversity”.

Eastbourne College was also a winner at the awards, picking up the prize for Best Eco Warrior school.

Brighton College and Eastbourne College are both private schools.

It was chosen for “going green” and “championing environmentally-friendly initiatives”.

Brighton College, which regularly comes in the top 10 in exam league tables, offered free sixth form places to 18 children fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Many of the refugee pupils are living with families who already have children studying at the school.

The scholarship includes a free school uniform, all trips, devices, activities and clubs.

Social occasions have been organised for the families to meet up, English tuition has been provided from current Brighton College pupils and many have already been to watch a Premier League football match in Brighton.

Mindful that the children have fled war, the school set up different types of professional support including counselling, play therapy and art therapy.

The school has a history of helping children fleeing the terrors of war.

Former pupils Sulaiman Wihba and Elias Badin said they were “incredibly lucky” to be given scholarships at the school when they fled the war in Syria five years ago.