Our People

Ms Kathryn Richardson, Master of Wellington College Hangzhou, is an accomplished education leader with over 20 years of experience. She taught in London schools where she quickly progressed into leadership positions. In 2014, Kathryn moved to Dubai as a Deputy Headteacher in a British curriculum international school and was promoted to the Head of Primary at their newly opened sister school in 2016.

Kathryn holds a bachelor’s degree in education, specialising in maths and science. In addition to this, she has a master’s degree in educational leadership and management and is also a qualified facilitator for the National Qualifications of Middle and Senior Leadership.

Kathryn has a passion for school improvement and strongly believes in making sure every child reaches their true potential. Kathryn has redesigned school curriculums so that they are creative, personalised to each individual pupil, and provide challenge for all. In her spare time, Kathryn enjoys travelling, reading and spending time with her family.

Ms Ivey Wang graduated from East China Normal University with a bachelor's degree in Chinese international education and completed a master's degree course in educational psychology. She also holds a master’s degree in education from Plymouth State University. Ivey is an IB examiner and qualified IB Middle Year Programme(MYP) Principal; She has obtained the certification of Leading School Course from Harvard Graduate School and the teacher training certification of ACTFL and Positive Discipline. She is also the Off Campus Practice Project Advisor of East China Normal University. 

Ivey has been engaged in international education for nearly 17 years. She has worked in several top international schools in Shanghai where she developed the skills of multi-cultural understanding and communication, as well as the understanding and practice of internationally recognised pedagogy, and gradually became a leader from a teacher. She worked as K12 Chinese Curriculum Coordinator at an international school in Shanghai, then served as School Curriculum Director and Primary School Principal at two international bilingual schools in Suzhou and Shanghai. She integrated Chinese and western education concepts and wisdom, built a collaborative and efficient team, led the development of integrated bilingual immersion curriculum and always committed to creating more opportunities for students’ development. 

Ivey adheres to the mission of international educators, which is to provide future oriented education for students, focus on students’ holistic development and improve their global competence and wellbeing. Through leading education innovations, she dedicates to cultivate lifelong learners with deep Chinese cultural roots and international mindedness, who will be able to communicate confidently on the international stage and deal with global issues in the future.

Mr Darren Mumford has over 20 years' experience as both a teacher and a leader. He has held senior leadership roles since 2013 where he has led on areas such as curriculum design, reporting and assessment, data analysis, quality assurance, and staff development. He has completed the National Professional Qualification in Headship and is a trained BSO inspector and has completed training to be an OFSTED inspector in the UK. Mr Mumford completed the 3 year ‘Future Leaders’ course in 2018.

His recent role as Vice Principal in the UAE has included leading the whole school development plan and self-evaluation in a large bilingual international school, working with pupils from across the world.  Whilst in the UAE, his school was awarded a ‘Very Good’ rating in its first-ever Ministry of Education inspection which is virtually unheard of within 3 years of opening. Before working in the UAE, he worked at another international school in Beijing. 

Mr Mumford’s educational philosophy has always been ‘everyone achieves’. He has worked within many educational settings and has always striven to develop the whole child, creating nurturing, caring environments that have allowed pupils to find their ‘niche’. He believes Outstanding examination results are only part of the puzzle – resilience, communication, creativity, emotional intelligence, and well-being are just some of the attributes to ensure that pupils are “future ready”. 

He also believes it is his responsibility to ensure that when pupils leave school, they have the qualifications and tools they need to be able to take the next steps in their lives. 

James is from Chongqing. He completed his bachelor's degree at Chongqing University, specialising in Marketing, and his post graduate education at Sun Yat-Sen University with an International MBA degree jointly granted by Sun Yat-Sen and MIT.  

He has over 14 years of marketing experience, providing professional services of marketing and brand building for companies like UTC, British Embassy, Disney, and international schools in Guangzhou and Chongqing.  

James is a huge sport fan, he loves football, motorbike racing, kart racing, scuba diving, bouldering, and workouts with weights. In his spare time, he also devotes time to public services regarding environment protection, care for vulnerable groups and animal protection. 

Joy Qiao

Founder and Chairman

Joy Qiao is the Founder and Chairman of Wellington College China. She founded the group in 2009 and, under her leadership, Wellington China has become one of the most reputable international education groups in China and globally. Joy grew up in Shanghai and earned her BA in Computer Science at the University of Oxford. Prior to her devotion to education, she had extensive experience working in the IT industry in the United Kingdom, Germany and China.

Joy is married to a British husband and they have two teenage sons. Influenced by this, Joy's vision is to create the world's leading English-Chinese bilingual schools, which combine the very best attributes of both British and Chinese education. She views such blended education as being a key contributor towards deepening understanding and appreciation between China and the rest of the world. Bilingualism, cross-cultural awareness and global citizenship will all be highly valued skills in this century when East is meeting West.  

Mr Scott Bryan is the International Director for Wellington College. He is responsible for developing Wellington College International’s schools’ business and working with partners to ensure the reputation and quality of those schools.

Scott has a BSc (Hons), PGCE and postgraduate diploma in Educational Studies. He has a thorough understanding of the UK independent sector and a wide range of international experience from more than 20 years of working in education. His school leadership experience includes three successful headships in the UK, United Arab Emirates and more recently as a founding Head in Switzerland.

Scott has previously held the post of Strategic Director at a leading UK independent school, including responsibility for developing international business. He has also served on school governing bodies and chaired the finance committee. He brings extensive experience in international school business, strategic planning, regulatory compliance, school improvement and mentoring of senior leaders.

He is office-based at Wellington College in England, with both his daughters currently attending the College. In his spare time, he likes to visit the Swiss Alps, where he enjoys skiing and a variety of outdoor sports.

Ms Maya Tarabay Schisano is one of the founding members of the Friends of Wellington (FOW), serving as the Events Chair since 2014 and the Chair in the 2018-19 school year. She worked closely with the College to achieve an open, dynamic and inclusive culture.

Maya has a BA in Interior Design, Marketing and Fine Arts from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon and is fluent in Arabic, French, Italian and English. Currently living in Shanghai, Maya has lived in the United States, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Italy and Australia.

She has extensive experience working in the luxury goods industry, and was at one time a global account manager at Prada. Maya also has experience in public relations and marketing, consulting for various Lebanese businesses as well as MSN Arabia and Sabil Water. In addition, she spent some time working as a presenter for the National Broadcasting Network (NBN) in Lebanon.

Maya first became seriously interested in education when her boys first started school at Wellington College International Shanghai in 2014. Recognising the alignment between the College’s philosophy and ethos and her own, she put her energy and focus as a parent into working towards that common goal: a school in which all children can thrive and that her boys are proud to be Wellingtonians.

Chris Huo works with Fosun International as Senior Investment Director. He leads the private equity investment activities in the UK and European market for the real estate arm of Fosun Group and is responsible for overseas subsidiary businesses from a governance and compliance perspective. Prior to Fosun, Chris spent 10 years with KPMG in the UK where he practiced as an auditor of international businesses, covering a wide range of industries and public organisations including universities and charities. He also worked in the KPMG Corporate Finance division, advising UK-listed corporates and global investment funds in infrastructure and TMT spaces, with respect to corporate reorganisation/ restructuring, strategic review, cross-border transactions and valuation.

Outside of work, Chris has gained experience of governance and wider regulatory issues through his interest in technology and investment. In the field of venture capital investment activities, he acts as a senior consultant for early-stage companies (FinTech, medical device, data analytics and distributed ledger) in the UK. He currently sits on the board of directors of VOGT Stockholm, a Swedish luxury fashion business.  

Chris has 20 years of experience of living and working across Asia and Europe. Very relevant to Wellington China, he was educated in both China and in the UK. Chris has a deep understanding of both parts of the world, making him a natural candidate for working across cultures.

Chris graduated with a BEng (Hon) in Electromechanical Engineering from the University of Southampton in 2008. He then qualified as a chartered accountant with The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales in 2011. He is married with one child who presently studies at Wellington College International Shanghai.

Stephanie is currently Headmistress at Devonshire House Prep School in London and Group Director of Education for the three schools owned by its proprietors. All three schools are based in central London and reflect the international nature of the areas where they are situated. She holds a BA Hons in French and German and a PGCE from Kings College London. She plans to retire from the Headship at the end of the 2022 academic year but will remain in her role as Director of Education for the group part time.

Stephanie was previously Head at Kings House School in Richmond for nine years and served as a Governor at Epsom College for seven years. She also served on the school's education committee and the committee formed to set up their overseas school in Malaysia. 

For over a decade, Stephanie has worked as education officer for the charity Rwanda Action. She has led annual trips in which UK teachers conduct teacher training and has helped set up a teacher training and monitoring programme that is currently being rolled out across the country. She is also actively involved in UK private education as a member of the Independent Association of Prep Schools, having served as a district representative, vice president and now as a member of the national education committee. Additionally, she serves as an ISI schools inspector and is trained in compliance and academic quality inspections.

Na Li is British and Chinese holding teaching qualifications having graduated from Shanghai Teachers’ University in China and Goldsmiths College, University of London in the UK. She has over 20 years of teaching experience, having worked in selective schools in Shanghai,  outstanding state schools in London, and prestigious British International Schools in Singapore, Malaysia and China. 

Nina was also a member of the curriculum development team for an education group. She has been awarded various titles within the schools, such as "Most Popular Teacher", "Best Performing Teacher", and has won several awards in international Chinese teaching competitions held by Confucius Classroom worldwide. Outside of school, she is a teachers’ trainer for exam board: Cambridge Assessment International Education. She often runs workshops and offers training to teachers around the world. 

Nina’s teaching philosophy comes from her own experience as a pupil, parent, and teacher. She believes that (i) emphasis on skills in order for knowledge to be applied (ii) a safe, fun and enjoyable atmosphere in order for pupils to develop freely and fully (iii) pupils must learn to take responsibility for their own learning, emphasising learning strategies and logical thinking.  

David MacKinnon is the Deputy Head of Senior Schools at Wellington College Hangzhou. He brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including his time at Wellington College Tianjin and as a vice-principal in Canada. David’s diverse background in education spans leadership in safeguarding, pastoral care, and quality assurance.

After earning his teaching qualifications in Canada, David pursued a Master’s degree in Educational Technology and completed the principal’s qualification course. He is committed to the belief that every pupil has the potential to succeed, and he is dedicated to creating the right environment for this success. David emphasises the importance of a safe and supportive setting where pupils are encouraged to challenge themselves and take risks, fostering their overall development.

David is a strong advocate for the power of pastoral care in shaping well-rounded individuals who excel both academically and socially. He believes in leading by example and values strategic planning and effective communication to engage all stakeholders in achieving success. For David, strong relationships between parents and the school community are key to the best outcomes for pupils.

He also recognises the importance of performance management systems that align personal growth targets with the broader goals of the school, ensuring organisational success. With a firm commitment to instilling values in pupils, David encourages all stakeholders to lead by example, guiding pupils in developing their own values through the diverse experiences they encounter at school.

In his spare time, David enjoys traveling, reading, and playing ice hockey.

Mr Aaron Gilloway completed a four-year teaching degree at the University of Brighton, where he studied both primary and secondary education. Following his undergraduate degree, Aaron taught Year 6 in a four–form entry primary school in the Southeast of England. In that time, he progressed and became Head of Year 6 and a member of the Senior Leadership Team responsible for Upper Key Stage 2. Aaron also had subject-based responsibilities and was the English, ICT and PE Coordinator. In 2016, Aaron moved internationally to Beijing, where he stayed for six years. Aaron spent three years working as a Head of Year at a prestigious British international school in Beijing and then moved to be a Founding Assistant Head of a new bilingual school. As a result, he has gained valuable leadership experience in multiple schools.

Aaron has completed his National Professional Qualification in Middle Leadership (NPQML) with University College London (UCL) and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Management with Oxford Brookes. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in education, focusing on language acquisition and bilingualism.

He enjoys working at Wellington College International Hangzhou. The vision of creating students able to thrive in an ever-changing world aligns with his own educational beliefs. Outside of work, Aaron is a keen runner. He has completed many marathons, including the Beijing marathon and a vertical marathon up 109 floors of China Zun, China’s second tallest building. 

Dr Wei Sun holds a PhD in Educational Psychology from Virginia Tech, specialising in Science Education. Before joining Hiba Academy Hangzhou, she served as the Academic Director of STEM Department in Dipont Education. Dr Sun worked closely with 33 international curriculum centres based in China’s top schools, delivering academic programmes and extracurricular activities. She also designed and delivered international science curriculum to K-12 schools and provided professional developments to international school teachers.  

Prior to joining Dipont, she worked in Qualcomm® Thinkabit Lab™ at Virginia Tech National Capital Regional as lab administrator and leading instructor. She supported the establishment of STEM curriculum in plenty of public schools in Northern Virginia area. With her outstanding background in both education and engineering, she has been a professional tutor of FIRST FRC Robotics Competition for many years, and served as judge of 2019 NASA OPSPARC InWorld Innovation challenge.

Liam holds a Bachelor's degree in Politics from the University of Huddersfield and a PGCE in Social Sciences and Psychology from the Manchester Metropolitan University.

Previously holding posts as Head of Teaching and Learning in international schools in China, and as an Advanced Practitioner in inner-city London, Liam’s primary focus is on coaching teachers and teaching, and developing learner progress. In his spare time, he enjoys photography and Muay Thai.

Mr Peter Hughes has 15 years of experience in middle and senior leadership in British curriculum schools and holds the National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership (NPQSL). In addition to his role as Assistant Head of Senior Schools, Peter also teaches Key Stage 3 DT at WCIH.

He qualified as a teacher from Bangor University. He spent nine years teaching in a secondary school in Prestatyn, North Wales, before moving to international teaching. In the UK, he held the positions of Numeracy Coordinator, Acting Head of House and Deputy Head of Learning, in addition to his role as a teacher of Design and Technology. After deciding to leave the UK, Peter held the positions of Head of Student Welfare and Extended Curriculum, Acting Head of Secondary and Deputy Head of the Secondary School at Al Rabeeh Academy in Abu Dhabi, UAE. In August 2021, Peter moved to Hangzhou with his partner. 

When not working, Peter enjoys travelling and experiencing new cultures, finding new places to eat and hidden gems off-the-beaten-track. Peter has already seen quite a lot of China but is keen to see more.

Rebecca has held a number of positions during her teaching career. As Head of Department, Rebecca led a large, busy and highly successful PE department. She was at the forefront in planning and implementing a diverse and challenging curriculum at Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 achieving outstanding results at GCSE and A-level. Since leaving the UK Rebecca has worked in Shanghai; initially as Director of Sport she was responsible for building a whole school curriculum and assessment process for students aged 2-18. During her time in Shanghai she also took on the role of Head of Secondary; Rebecca was responsible and accountable for the strategic direction and development of the secondary school and played an integral part in the growth and expansion of the school and Sixth Form.

Rebecca Hatton completed a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Physical Education and graduated with Honours from Liverpool John Moores University in 2009. She has been teaching Physical Education for 12 years both in the UK and China. Rebecca started her career at a large secondary school in Manchester delivering high quality PE lessons to students and led many school sports teams to achieve success in local and national competitions.

Rebecca’s vision as a teacher has always been to inspire pupils to become independent and successful lifelong learners who work hard and are proud of their talents, ambitions, and dreams. She believes in the importance of young people receiving a rounded education and is passionate about the importance of learning experiences outside the classroom. She has planned and organised many school trips to destinations within the UK, Europe, and China. Rebecca has a passion for travel and exploring new countries and cultures. 

Demi Liu is a distinguished bilingual educator from Shanghai with extensive experience in managing various curricula, including IB, A-Level, IGCSE and the Chinese national curriculum. Demi is known for her outstanding dedication and leadership in education, fostering a pupil-centred approach that balances discipline and care. She firmly believes that education should be a forward-looking, long-term strategy focused on future goals and the collaboration between home and school. Demi continues to pursue excellence in the educational field, guiding teams towards collective success.

Helen Mumford graduated from UCLAN University, UK with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art and completed her PGCE with the University of Birmingham, UK.

She has been teaching the British Curriculum for over 25 years, working in a range of schools as an Art and Design teacher, Head of Visual Arts, Head of House and Achievement Leader. She gained her NPQSL in 2017 and for 14 years has held Assistant Headteacher positions in three diverse Secondary Schools. She completed her NPQH with UCL in April 2024. Helen recently held the position of founding Deputy Head of Secondary at a large all through International school in the UAE, where she led on areas such as curriculum, gifted and talented provision, and established a values based behaviour and rewards system. She worked in close partnership with other members of the executive leadership team to support areas on the school development plan and served as the whole school deputy safeguarding lead. Helen represented the school and provided CPD for the Sharjah Private Education Authority, as part of a beacon schools project offering training for other British curriculum schools in the Emirate and supporting them ready for inspection.

Using her extensive experience of leading and supporting both middle and senior leaders, she is committed to developing both pupils and staff. Helen is passionate about working with all stakeholders in sharing her ideas, inspiring  pupils and instilling a love of learning.

Dr Mario Sylvander holds his Master’s degree in French Literature from Washington University in St. Louis and completed his EdD at the UCL Institute of Education. His research involved undergraduate university application interviews to highly selective US universities. He began his career in US college prep day and boarding schools in New York and St. Louis before shifting to international education in Singapore, Panama and China. He trained in college counselling at the Harvard-College Board Institute and he has been providing university guidance for nearly 20 years while also holding a variety of school leadership roles along the way. He has most recently been the Director of Careers and University Counseling at a prestigious international school in Shanghai.

A dual US-Swedish citizen, he grew up in Wisconsin, also living and studying in France during High School. He is an avid cyclist and also enjoys writing, skiing, and table tennis, with pickleball not out of the question. 

Ms Amy Tham hails from Singapore and was a scholar with Singapore's Ministry of Education. She is qualified as a teacher and has taught in various prestigious and top-ranked secondary schools. She graduated from the Nanyang Technological University with a Bachelor in Art majoring in Music Education and received her teaching license from the National Institute of Education in Singapore. Later, she undertook a Master's in Educational Leadership from Framingham State University, USA.

With a varied teaching experience in the Cambridge and IB curriculum, she believes in the power of the Arts to engage, enrich and empower lives. With 15 years in the educational landscape, her previous positions include Head of Arts, Music and Drama teacher, International English teacher and Director of Performing Arts. Her adventure in China has brought her to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, a jewel of cultural heritages and natural beauty.

Amy is a multi-instrumentalist and plays the piano, clarinet, drums and gamelan. Her passions include music composition and directing musicals, and she has explored over 70 countries to date.

As a fully qualified primary school teacher from the United Kingdom, Andrew has been teaching for five years, working at schools in England, China and the Middle East. He is passionate about education and has gained a variety of valuable experiences in his career to date, which includes teaching English as a second language, attaining an outstanding grade against the teaching standards upon qualification in the UK, leading and organising inspirational school house events, and running highly engaging co-curricular activities.

Having previously taught in China, Andrew enjoyed his experience so much that he wanted to return and delve deeper into one of the richest cultures on Earth while developing his career as an educator at a world-renowned institution such as Wellington College International Hangzhou. Believing in the need for an inclusive classroom environment, Andrew works hard to ensure that all of his pupils feel comfortable and confident enough to make the mistakes necessary for growth. He enjoys collaborating with parents to support children in meeting their aspirations, where he realises the importance of keeping a clear line of communication between teachers and parents to ensure pupil progress.

Andrew enjoys keeping fit in his spare time and likes to push himself to the limit in endurance sports such as long-distance running.

Russell had an unconventional entry into teaching after studying for a BA in Economics at Nottingham Trent University and working for several years as a successful financial adviser. Russell’s first experience of teaching came whilst working as a volunteer teacher for a charity in Cambodia, and he instantly fell in love with the profession. At this time, all thoughts of returning to an office job were forgotten, and he travelled to pursue his new-found passion to teach.

In Taiwan, he taught English as a second language for three years. Russell then returned to the UK where he studied for his PGCE, at Kingston University, to become a qualified primary school teacher. After two years of teaching in Wimbledon, London, Russell took the opportunity to work at an international school in Ukraine for one year, before returning to London to teach for a further three years. As Russell has a large amount of experience working with children who speak English as a second language, he was also made Head of EAL at his school in London, where he advised other teachers on effective methods to support the learning.

Russell is interested in keeping fit and enjoys playing various sports like football and tennis, as well as other outdoor activities such as hiking. These interests have also led to Russell becoming a qualified football coach, coaching his school team and a team that represented the London Borough of Croydon. 

Kelvin Oguku graduated from Kenyatta University with a bachelor’s degree in Education, specialising in mathematics and physics. Later, he completed an MA in Education Leadership and Management from the University of Nottingham, UK. He is both a CIAE and IB math examiner. He has also obtained the certification of Leading School Course from Harvard Graduate School.

With over 10 years of teaching experience, he has worked at renowned international schools in China, and recently as Head of Math in Ningbo. His educational philosophy revolves around creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment where every student feels supported and empowered to reach their full potential.

Kelvin firmly believes that education should not only be about imparting knowledge but also about instilling a love for learning and fostering 21st century skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and character. In the classroom, he strives to create a safe and nurturing space where students feel comfortable expressing their ideas, asking questions, and engaging in meaningful discussions. In his spare time, Kelvin is most likely to be wrapped up in an Edtech project, playing football, hiking, or travelling. He also has a keen interest in cooking and exploring new cuisines.

Mrs Yingnan Wang was born and raised in China and moved to the UK for her Sixth Form studies. With three years scholarship, she graduated from the University of Southampton with a BSc in Mathematical Studies and completed a one-year placement with JP Morgan Chase in Bournemouth. After graduating, Yingnan worked for an IT finance company in the city of London for eight years as a project manager to provide IT technology for law firms and investment banks on M&A deals.

In 2018, Yingnan followed her passion for maths and took a career change to become a qualified secondary maths teacher. Before leaving the UK, she had worked in one of the top grammar schools in the county of Kent, as a teacher of mathematics for KS3, KS4 and KS5. She had also been the form tutor of Year 7 having a great pastoral experience with new secondary school students.

In July 2022, Yingnan moved to Hangzhou with her husband and two children, who are pupils at Wellington College International Hangzhou. They enjoy living in this city and enjoy exploring the beauty of Hangzhou.

Ms Wang Ting graduated from Shanghai International Studies University with a master’s degree in teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages. Since 2014, she has been engaged in Chinese language education, teaching students of all ages, including those whose first language is Chinese and those learning Chinese as a foreign language. She has taught in Thailand and Hungary and is familiar with various Chinese teaching materials, with rich experience in Chinese language teaching.

In 2018, with great excitement, Ms Wang joined the Wellington family in Hangzhou as a founding teacher. Over the past five years, she has grown together with the school and met a group of like-minded colleagues.  She is grateful to be able to teach at an international school with such an advanced teaching philosophy and values. She is also grateful to be able to help children learn Chinese and understand Chinese culture in a positive way.

In her spare time, Ms Wang loves life, cooking, reading, listening to music and watching films. She is confident that this love of life and work will have a positive impact on the pupils' development and contribute more to the Wellington family.

Growing up surrounded by young children played a crucial part in Paige’s career choice. This was then confirmed when placed on work experience in a nearby primary school. Her eyes were opened to the difference teachers genuinely made in the lives of young people. Paige then began her journey into teaching in 2014 at the University of Northampton, where she completed her B.A. (Hons) degree in Primary Education with an English specialism.

In 2017, Paige began her teaching career in Berkshire, England, working in Year 2. Since then, she has taught in years 1, 3 and 4 and has held subject leader roles in Reading, R.E and is currently Head of Primary English at Wellington College International Hangzhou. Paige has also completed her National Professional Qualification in Middle Leadership, the Outstanding Teachers Programme and recently presented on ‘Unlocking the Magic of Reading’ at the 7th China Festival of Education in Shanghai.

Paige believes in supporting children to grow and develop as independent, strong learners whilst also preparing them for the ever-changing world they live in. She is passionate about teaching and learning and will always find new ways to support and motivate the children she teaches. Paige is an avid reader, can often be found baking and enjoys being active. She thoroughly enjoys living in China and exploring the world around her.

Miss Abigail Cutts has both a BA and an MA in English Literature and Media Studies with a PGCE teaching qualification from Leicester University. She began her career teaching in Leicester and then returned to teach in her hometown of Sheffield. She held the positions of Deputy Head of English and Whole School Literacy Coordinator for many years before moving to Shanghai to teach English at Hiba School. After an enjoyable two years in Shanghai with her young daughter, she was delighted to accept the role of Head of English at Wellington College International Hangzhou and enjoys developing the English department within the school.

Abigail’s passion for English is best described as the belief that, at its simplest, the study of English is about teaching how humans use language to communicate their ideas and feelings to each other and it involves exploring how we, as human beings, connect with others in a meaningful way. Reading widely is at the heart of studying English, and Abigail is enthusiastic about helping students discover their interests so that they can begin their own ‘reading journey’ that will support lifelong learning.

Abigail enjoys spending time with her daughter and travelling within China when not working. She has been studying Mandarin Chinese for almost two years now and continues to develop her Chinese reading and speaking skills in Hangzhou.

Angy has been a dedicated educator for the last 12 years. Angy gained valuable experience working in other international schools prior to joining the Wellington College team, where her dedication and commitment to student success have made a significant impact on the school and local community. Over the past five years, Angy has been an integral part of the Wellington College International Hangzhou team, having worked across both campuses, taking on various roles over the years such as English lead, Grade lead, and Head of Science...

As a bilingual, international educator, Angy has a passion for making language accessible and functional for students at all stages of development, allowing them to thrive in all other areas, both academically and personally. With a strong background in primary education, Angy has worked closely with students, families, and staff members to ensure that each student's needs are met, and they can flourish in a safe and nurturing environment.

Angy understands the importance of innovation and pedagogical exploration in our teaching practise. Now more than ever it is paramount that children are prepared to adapt and engage with the future technologies and embrace the changes that come their way. Leading change is one of her passions and through this she gained her National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching.

Angy looks forward to the year ahead and to working together with our families ensuring the pupils have the best possible start in their education journey.

Graham particularly enjoys teaching Biology and its various sciences, and he enjoys passing on his love of learning and curiosity to the pupils of WCIH. He graduated from University in Manchester, after which he worked in hospital laboratories but decided that this career path was not for him. However, Graham had dreams of travelling and wanted to see the world. So he embarked on a one-year postgraduate teaching course in Nottingham, UK, and started his first teaching position at a school in South London. Graham worked for two years, learning the craft of teaching and then left the UK for his first overseas post at an international school in Bahrain. Since then, he has never been back to live in the UK and has worked in seven different international schools across the globe.

Graham deems himself fortunate because his teaching career has allowed him to travel all over the Middle East, Africa, North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia. He first travelled to China in 1993 and only visited briefly.

Graham continually travels around China and hopefully will travel to places of the world he still wishes to visit. Over his time working internationally, Graham has learned about many cultures and hopes that he has become truly internationally minded.

Clare holds a Master’s degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge, and a PhD in molecular biology. She has over twenty five years’ experience teaching Biology, Psychology, and General Science in the public and independent school systems both in the UK and overseas. In Kenya, she was Head of Biology in a prestigious boarding school in a rural setting. She then lead the Science Faculty in a thriving bilingual school in Ningbo, China. Clare comes to us from Thailand where she also managed the Science Faculty of a prominent boarding school in Bangkok. Clare is currently training as an Executive Coach and has set up her own coaching business. She place a high value on building positive relationships and is passionate about the power of coaching to bring about positive and transformational change.

In her spare time, Clare loves to cook and has enjoyed learning new skills in the kitchen during her travels and time abroad. She is a Pilates enthusiast, amateur artist, avid reader, and devoted mother.

Ms Karlien van der Colff completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, majoring in theatre script writing and stage acting.  Her interest in languages and performance arts started at a young age, and this, together with a keen interest in other cultures, inspired her to travel the world and work as an educator. 

She has had the pleasure of working as an EAL and drama educator in Taiwan, Argentina, and South Africa. She decided to complete her PGCEi through the University of Nottingham and join the international schooling industry in China. 

Karlien has been in China for six years, where she has taught at international schools in Beijing and Qingdao. She held the roles of drama teacher and head of department, KS3 and IGCSE curriculum developer, director of whole school productions and group showcases. Also EAL teacher and support.

She is teaching drama to years 1- 9 and IGCSE drama at WCIH. She enjoys being a member of the Wellington team exploring the wonderful world of theatre with the students and discovering the scenery of Hangzhou. Aside from all things connected to performance arts and languages, Karlien loves cooking and exploring the outdoors. 

Mr Leif Raiha graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Art and Art History and holds a diploma from Sheridan College.  He completed his Bachelor of Education at Nipissing University. Leif also holds additional qualifications in Senior Visual Arts and Special Education. Leif taught in Canada and South Korea before coming to China to teach at an international school in Kunshan, undertaking various curriculum responsibilities including Technology, Science, and Art & Design in addition to his role as IB Coordinator. He then took a position as Head of Art at an academy in Beijing, establishing the department, and developing curriculum and enrichment programmes.

In his free time, Leif enjoys exploring. Travelling and hiking around China affords plentiful opportunities for drawing and photography, and to experience culture and cuisine.

Adam, is a passionate educator, focused on creating an environment which fosters creativity and innovation to unlock a child’s cultural capital. Adam, has a Bachelor of Science degree, in Sports and Exercise Science from Coventry University. He started his teaching journey at an Academy in 2013 as a teaching assistant supporting in lessons. This is where he found his passion working in an education environment to shape future minds. Adam undertook a role as the Physical Education Lead and Sports Coordinator at another Primary Academy in 2014, located in a challenging area of Coventry. He helped in development of CPD pathways to up skill colleagues’ knowledge around PE. In addition, he created an enrichment programme that promoted sports and competition across school and the local community with increased parent engagement within school.

Adam, moved to a broad-spectrum school in 2018, as a specialist SEND PE Teacher progressing to the Head of the Physical Education department in the last two years. Along with the headteacher he facilitated the redesign of the PE curriculum to be inclusive, individualised and tailor-made to capture imagination and passion for learning. He has worked and volunteered as a sports coach for a variety of sports projects in his city of Coventry. Adhering to giving children and adults opportunities to stay active and be upstanding members of society through life skills, sports, mental health and wellbeing workshops. He approaches his work with the sole focus on cultivation of a child’s potential and welfare. Promoting a child centred approach to education that will bear fruit to confident, resilient, respectful young minds with keen interest in developing local and global initiatives.

In his spare time Adam, is a keen sports fanatic and enjoys playing basketball, football and tennis. He also enjoys reading and hiking and recently took up photography.

Clark joined Wellington College Hangzhou in August 2022 as a PE Teacher, following his role as Head of PE at a certified, world-class SEN school in the UK. He also joined his former school's Senior Leadership Team in 2020 with significant responsibilities around safeguarding and behaviour management.

Holding a degree in Sports Coaching Science with a specialism in disability sport, Clark has a passion for providing learning experiences that are inclusive for all while challenging individuals' skills, knowledge and adaptability. Clark has vast experience as a high-performance sports coach for professional organisations in cricket and rugby, alongside playing regional representative sports in cricket, rugby, ice hockey and athletics.

Miss Chen graduated from St. John's University in the United States with a Master's degree in sports management and a Bachelor's degree from China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). She is a national first-level athlete and a certified coach of the American Swimming Coaches Association Level 1,  2 and3. She was a swimmer with more than 15 years of swimming training and competition experience and won the championship and the Sports Award at the National College Swimming Championships. Miss Chen has a rich academic background and teaching experience in both China and the United States. She has a national primary school PE teacher certificate, an AUSTSWIM (Australian Swimming Association) teacher certificate, an American Swimming Association age group coaching certificate awarded by ASCA (American Swimming Coaches Association), a water lifesaving certificate, a First Aid / CPR / AED certificate, and a CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) safety training certificate.

Miss Chen has participated in the Make a Splash youth swimming popularization event held by the USA Swimming Foundation and the Pan American Games trials held by Swimming Canada. After graduation, she taught youth swimming development programs at colleges in the United States, and organised teams to participate in the Junior Swimming Competition in the New York metropolitan area. After experiencing the collision of different sports cultures and identity transformation, she has developed a stronger passion and enthusiasm for the development of aquatics sports and is committed to providing more training opportunities and competition platforms for the young generation.

Miss Chen led the Wellington College Hangzhou swimming team to participate in the FOBISIA Swimming Invitational and won first place in the short courses events. On the other hand, she was invited to participate in the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games as a commentator. She hopes to pass on the spirit and energy of sports to children and firmly believes that sports are not only a lifelong skill, but also can promote children's physical and mental strength and independent.

Born in Wales but raised in England, Greece and Kuwait, Hywell considers himself a world citizen. He has worked in various roles in Education in Scotland, Hong Kong, China and the Philippines.

A passionate believer in the potential of all learners to grow and improve, Hywell always aims to start with the end in mind: asking the students to consider the purpose of what they are learning and why it is important. He believes that interested and self-motivated learners are naturally more successful in any given subject and that learning how to learn is the most important lesson a child can receive.

Hywell qualified as a teacher in Hong Kong, an IELTS Examiner and Invigilator in Shanghai and received an MBA in Educational Leadership from the University of Cumbria.

Outside the classroom, Hywell strongly believes in social progress and supports charities aiding health and education for disadvantaged students. He enjoys travelling, reading and spending time with his family in his spare time.   

Nina is an experienced and dedicated educator with a strong passion for working with international students. As a founding member of WCIH, she has been able to fulfill her dream of teaching in an international school that embraces an advanced teaching philosophy and strong values that align with her own. Nina holds a bachelor's degree in English from Zhejiang Normal University, where she was honoured as the Outstanding Graduate of Zhejiang Province. She furthered her qualifications by completing a TESOL certification at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) with straight As. Additionally, during her college years, she gained valuable teaching experience as a part-time TOEFL teacher at a language school in Hangzhou.

Nina's passion for working with students stems from her belief in their potential to learn in diverse styles. Having been an EAL learner herself, she fully comprehends the linguistic and cultural challenges they face and has made it her mission to provide unwavering support to EAL learners, helping them unlock their fullest potential. During her leisure time, she finds solace in music, art, and nature, believing that these activities can help construct a peaceful inner world. Moreover, she also encourages students to explore and learn from these experiences, as they can stimulate their concentration, creativity, and critical thinking.

Nina's enthusiasm extends to connecting with educators and students worldwide, as she values the exchange of perspectives and experiences. Given the opportunity, she is eager to contribute to the growth and mutual learning of students and the school, fostering a positive and supportive learning environment. She firmly believes that she can make a significant impact on the life paths of her students while contributing to the overall success of the school.

Born in Paris and raised in a multicultural environment on the French island Martinique, Catherine developed her joy and passion for languages from her youth and numerous voyages. Quickly, teachers detected her as a gifted student for languages. Today, she fluently speaks French, English, Spanish and Creole, has some basics in German and Latin and has begun to learn Arabic. Her next goal: Mandarin.

After studying Law and Science of Education in French universities, she worked as a Marketing and Communication Consultant. Her interest for languages caught up with her as she set up her own translation company, mainly working with the Law Faculty of the University of Bordeaux to translate studies about foreign legal systems around the world. Following her experience as a teacher in France, she embarked on a teaching journey in the UK completing her PGCE and taught for two years. As the need for internationalism soon arose, she accepted a position in a British international school in Dubai and spent seven years teaching French and Spanish up to IB level.

Whenever Catherine has the chance to travel, she takes them all. Her most recent travel took place in Ecuador, where she supported a community for three weeks, organising activities for children every afternoon. She spent her days fully immersed in the community and the Spanish language. Catherine also loves walking surrounded by nature, and is often heard singing, which is really her mother tongue. Reflecting over her years of experience as a mother and a teacher in France, England and Dubai she appreciates the immeasurable impact a teacher makes on the daily life of a student. As an educator, she aims to create a climate which enables pupils to excel in the subject. Catherine believes that learning is a life-long process which never ends. Schools have the responsibility to build world citizens, who will be able to make the right decisions for the planet, the community and themselves. Learning a language plays a great part in the construction of those open-minded individuals and Catherine is proud to play her role in the development of foreign languages at Wellington College International Hangzhou and China in general. 

Nathan is primarily a teacher of Business who has experience teaching Economics. Starting at Wellington I will be hisninth year in teaching. He has come to Wellington to push the already high expectations of the establishment and would like to leave my own imprint. Nathan likes to create a classroom environment that breeds winners. Winners look like the student that is always seeking challenges as well as understanding the importance of the culture of error. Nathan iscertain students will be confident in answering questions in his lessons and will develop well into global citizens.

He has a Masters (MA) degree in Global Diplomacy and will soon be seeking a PhD placement in International Relations. Nathan likes to research and understand how countries communicate with each other. His PhD question involves the role of China in the Caribbean state of Jamaica however the official question has not been finalised.

Nathan loves to read and always encourages those around him do so. Currently, he reading Winning by Tim Grover. Additionally, he is an avid podcast listener. He listens to many podcasts but ultimately there are five podcasts that he self-entitles his five main pillars. They are Diary of a Ceo, Impact Theory, Rich Roll, The Joe Rogan Experience and The School of Greatness.

She completed her master's degree at University of Sydney in Quantitative Finance. She also has an undergraduate degree from University of Liverpool. She has worked in international schools in Ningbo, Shanghai and Hangzhou. 

Amber has many hobbies, and recently she enjoys cycling and hiking. She takes short trips to explore some less-popular attractions during weekends. She dreams of backpacking, conquering mountains and exploring oceans. 

Coral started her teaching at a young age (16), working as a locally trained teacher on St Helena Island, her homeplace.  After three years, Coral was sent to the UK to become a British qualified teacher. She completed her BSc in Mathematics and Education at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, and a Diploma in Secondary Education at Stirling University in Scotland, UK. As a newly qualified teacher, Coral returned to St Helena Island taking on the role of Head of Faculty for Mathematics, Business Studies, and Physical Education.

Coral’s desire to travel and education experience in other countries then led her to take up a teaching post in Botswana for five years, before moving back to the UK.  In England, Coral has taught in what was the biggest school in Europe – Stantonbury Campus and also in a school in an area ranked in the top 3% of the most deprived areas in England.  During her career in England, Coral has been a Head of Key Stage 4, Deputy Head of Department, Head of Department and a Director. 

Coral has led residential trips for Year 11 pupils to provide mathematics enhancement and team building trips for Year 6 pupils to develop the independence and resilience needed for life as secondary pupils.  Coral was involved in an International Exchange Schools Project with Tanzania. She has been an examiner for Edexcel and has been involved with writing a problem-solving book.

During her spare time, Coral enjoy walking, swimming, and reading.

Louise is excited to join the multicultural community at Wellington College. She is an accomplished Chinese language teacher with a Bachelor's degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages and a Master's degree from SUNY Buffalo State.

Louise has extensive experience teaching students of various language backgrounds in kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools. She has taught at an Italian/Chinese immersion school in Italy and an international school in China for five years, demonstrating her wealth of teaching experience.  

In addition, Louise is also a highly regarded keynote speaker on inquiry-based teaching and PYP integration with the national curriculum. As a member of the Chinese language teaching team at Wellington College Hangzhou, she is committed to implementing the big unit inquiry curriculum. In her free time, she immerses herself in the realms of world music, art, and nature. She also loves playing international chess, reading, and travelling the world.

Esther completed her undergraduate studies in Chinese Language and Literature before obtaining a Master's degree in Teaching Chinese as an additional language from Wuhan University. During the gap between her two academic pursuits, Esther worked as a Mandarin teacher in Beijing for four years. This experience inspired her to continue her studies and pursue a career in education.  

Esther is qualified to teach both Chinese language and literature in high school and Chinese as an additional language, and now Esther teaches primary school Chinese to both native and non-native speakers. Esther takes pleasure in both teaching and learning, and is thrilled and touched by the progress and development of her students.

In her free time, Esther enjoys reading, playing sports, and spending time in nature during weekends and holidays.

Judith is always passionate about teaching and has over six years of teaching experience. She has taught Chinese as a foreign language in Australia and Spain. She taught Chinese as a native language in an international school in Ningbo, and she also worked as an ESL teacher in a training centre in Beijing. She mostly worked with primary students, especially students from Year 1 to Year 3.  She would love to support and facilitate every child to enjoy each lesson and reach their full potential.

Apart from teaching, Judith enjoys doing sports, such as swimming, skating and badminton. She thinks that it’s important to be curious and try new things. She hopes together with her students, they can continue to explore the world around them every day.

Helen is a lifelong learner and a teacher with nearly 20 years of teaching experience in four international schools in Thailand, China and Malaysia. She is a highly experienced teacher in Edexcel GCSE, A-level, CIE IGCSE, and IB Chinese as a foreign, second and first language. She has a proven track record of excellent I/GCSE/IB Chinese Studies, with 81.25% of her class achieving an A or A*.

Helen entered the Chinese language and literature teaching profession when she was selected and trained by Tianjin Normal University, Chinese and Thai Education Bureau, to be sent as a Chinese teacher to Bangkok in 2005. As one of the first batches of international Chinese teachers to teach in Thailand, she participated in the compilation of textbooks, won the "Outstanding Teacher" award for two consecutive years, and was appointed as the C&I coordinator in 2006. In 2010, Helen obtained a master's degree from Assumption University. In June 2022, she completed the one-year course for the American teaching licences at Moreland University in the USA, with a GPA of 3.87.

As a friendly and versatile tutor, Helen participates in various school activities, such as IB CAS, professional guzheng concerts, and choreographing and directing Chinese dramas. She aims to help the pupils practise 21st-century working skills from these projects. Helen also enjoys developing hobbies with the pupils, such as drumming, piano and guzheng.

Ms Cathy Yang is a caring, patient and professional primary school teacher. She gained her bachelor's degree from Dalian Polytechnic University and, in 2017, completed her master's degree in Literature from the Beijing Language and Culture University. In addition, she studied at Shanghai International Studies University as a sophomore and junior.

Ms Cathy Yang has developed a deep understanding of Chinese acquisition and education through her learning and teaching experience as a Chinese teacher and a Headteacher at a Tianjin School and Confucius Institute of Lucian Blaga University. She is dedicated to engaging children in classes and ensuring each child progresses personally and academically.

Outside of school, Ms Cathy Yang enjoys running, reading and travelling. She firmly believes that teachers with a good knowledge of the world will help children understand the world.

Mr Yiming Liu is a first-generation Chinese Canadian from Toronto who immigrated at a very young age despite being born in Guangzhou. He hopes to be an example of what bilingual students should aspire to be as a cosmopolitan global citizen. He takes the best of both worlds and incorporates it into his identity, understanding the cultural gaps and barriers between the East and the West very well. Yiming is a native speaker of both Chinese and English, as well as conversational Cantonese and a little French and Japanese. He has worked with pupils for over ten years, having tutored and gained experience in social work settings with children from immigrant backgrounds before coming to China and fully transitioning to a teaching role in 2017.

He previously taught IGCSE ESL at a school in Shanghai and English for IBDP at a middle school affiliated with Jiaotong University, in grades 10-12.

Graduating from the University of Toronto with a background in English and then getting his PGCEi accreditation from the University of Nottingham, he is very passionate about English literature and novels. Being a team member of Wellington College China Hangzhou, he hopes to continue positively influencing the pupils around him.

When not at work, Yiming is an avid fan of many sports, with ice hockey on top of the list. He is passionate about health, fitness, video games, board games, and electronic dance music.

Emma received her degree in Literature from Chester University and her Post Graduate Certificate in Education from Canterbury Christchurch University.

Before joining Wellington College International Hangzhou, Emma taught at a leading private grammar school in Reigate, Surrey, holding the positions of English teacher, SEN and EAL support teacher and Head of Bird House. Before this, she taught at Wellington College International Tianjin. She has been privileged enough to teach pupils in all year groups, including A level, with a range of proficiency levels and needs. Emma prides herself on her relationships with pupils and her work in giving access to education for all pupils in her classroom. 

An avid reader, but also a firm believer in the importance of sport for pupil’s health and wellbeing. Emma has played and coached rugby since university and she looks forward to supporting the sports program here at WCIH. Making learning engaging is a core principle of Emma’s classroom practice, so is excited to be a part of the World Scholars Cup competition.

In her spare time, Emma likes reading, taking long walks with her dog Bax, exploring new places, and cooking.  

Verity Peniket has taught English Literature and English Language in the UK for six years. Most of this time, she taught in an outstanding-rated school in London. She gained a BA degree in English Literature and completed her Postgraduate teaching qualification with QTS. Verity has progressed to middle leadership positions, including Director of Reading and Lead Practitioner Designate, which stems from her drive to develop others to reach their potential.

Verity is passionate about developing pupils’ reading proficiency and creating a love for books. Not only has Verity made and developed challenging and diverse curriculum plans, but she has also developed methodical and supportive strategies to improve students’ writing, reading and speaking. Verity’s ethos in the classroom is to foster students’ creativity and individual intellectual opinions whilst also being able to articulate themselves academically. In her spare time, Verity enjoys reading, drawing, swimming, history and exploring the outdoors. She is looking forward to travelling around China and learning more about Chinese culture.

Piers studied English and Social Studies at Leeds University. He completed his MA in TESOL and PGCE (11-18) at Sheffield Hallam University and took a second teaching Diploma specialising in second language learners at Trinity College London and holds QTS for both children and adults. Piers has worked extensively in teacher training and curriculum development. Piers has taught at secondary, sixth form and university level in Paris, Prague, Nur-Sultan, Ningbo, Hong Kong, Macao, Jersey and now in Hangzhou. He has held positions of responsibility at Nottingham Ningbo, Nazarbayev University, and the British Council but prefers to be in the classroom working with students.

His research interests include CLIL and giving written/oral feedback to students. Piers enjoys using authentic materials in the language classroom, as he believes they are intrinsically motivating and make use of game like activities when appropriate. Piers is from Jersey in the UK but has lived abroad for the last 20 years. Outside of school he enjoys spending time with his daughter who goes to Wellington College International Hangzhou and walking his dog, Fluffy. Reading, watching movies and cooking are all favourite pastimes.

Zhixin Deng is a qualified English teacher with a Master's degree in TESOL from the University of York, UK. With over five years of teaching experience, she has worked with ESL students of all ages, from primary to senior students, college students, and even adults.

Previously, Zhixin worked as a college English teacher at Nanjing University of Information Engineering, where she taught university English courses. She's also very experienced in teaching IELTS and helped students achieve their language goals.

As a life-long learner, Zhixin believes that education is the key to unlocking one's full potential. Her teaching philosophy centres on the idea that each student brings their own unique talents and strengths to the classroom and that it is her job to help them discover and develop their own particular brand of genius.

In her personal life, she enjoys travelling and exploring the beauty of nature. She believes that travel is not only a way to relax and recharge, but also an opportunity to incorporate the knowledge from books into real-life experiences.

Thomas completed his Bachelor's degree in Archaeology at the Paris-Sorbonne University. He worked as an Archaeologist in French Polynesia and on Easter Island, and he fed his curiosity for new experiences by traveling during several years in West Africa in the 90’s. In June 2023 he published a book in which he relates his travels. The book is now on the pupils’ books list for the French course at Stockholm University. He holds lectures about his experiences as a traveler and a writer.

In 2008, whilst working in the Bordeaux National Theater, France, his passion for teaching encouraged him to complete a diploma of Teacher of French as a Foreign Language. Then he taught French to American pupils at Bordeaux University and he set up the French Course at Lào Caí’s language school, Vietnam.

In 2013 Thomas moved to Sweden with his family where he could implement his teaching skills for seven years as French and Spanish teacher in an international school. There, he continued to develop his practice of international pedagogy in a multicultural and multilingual environment. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Science in Secondary Education at Stockholm University and his Swedish teaching certification. During these years he grew his tutor’s skills and his capacity to elaborate a positive and collaborative working environment with colleagues and pupils, always having in focus the pupils’ development and well-being. He also participated in the school musical and in the organisation of pupil exchange programs with a partner school in France. Fluent in French, English, Spanish, Swedish and Wolof, he studied Latin and ancient Greek for a number of years and he has good basic knowledge of German. He loves to share his enthusiasm for languages with his pupils. Learning Mandarin is on his to-do list.

Thomas was born and grew up in Paris and had the opportunity to live in different parts of France.

While living in the Great North of Sweden, beyond the polar circle, he developed a strong interest in cross-country skiing that he loved practicing during the polar night under the northern lights. During his spare time he enjoys reading, writing, and cooking. He is a gifted cake baker.

Thomas is accompanied by his wife. Their grown-up children stay in Sweden.

Clyde Snyders is a physics teacher from South Africa, specifically hailing from the renowned city of Cape Town. With a teaching experience of 20 years under his belt, Clyde holds an undergraduate teaching degree in Science Education, followed by postgraduate studies at the University of the Western Cape. Currently, he is diligently working towards completing his M.Education degree, focusing on the importance of science teaching, including pedagogy, didactics, and the value and usefulness of assessment.

Having initially started his teaching career as the head of Physics, Clyde transitioned into education after spending nine years working in the private Biotechnology industry. He firmly believes in employing a mature, constructive, and eclectic teaching approach. Recognising the significance of effective working relationships among staff, pupils, parents, and guardians, Clyde considers them crucial for the development of well-rounded learners and the successful fulfilment of school mandates. Throughout his professional journey, Clyde has gained extensive experience in diverse practical and development roles within the South African curriculum, spanning both the junior (IGCSE) and senior (A level) phases. He has also enjoyed close collaboration with his CIE colleagues at an international high school in Suzhou.

As a proud South African, Clyde takes pleasure in engaging in outdoor activities, particularly hiking and socialising. He particularly enjoys the cultural tradition of a braai (BBQ). In his personal life, Clyde has been happily married for 26 years and is the father of two sons, Dylan and Aidan. Both of his sons are currently pursuing their studies at the University of Cape Town, their beloved hometown.

Musa is an accomplished educator with a robust background in mathematics and science education. He holds a degree in Mathematics from Queen Mary University of London, a prestigious Russell Group university. Complementing this, Musa earned a teaching degree from Goldsmiths, University of London, known for its excellence in teacher education.

Before joining WCC, Musa has garnered over eight years of experience, skillfully instructing pupils in Mathematics, Physics, and Key Stage 3 Science. His versatility is highlighted by his comprehensive understanding of various educational syllabi, including the International Baccalaureate (IB), iGCSE, and GCSE across multiple exam boards.

Musa’s career is distinguished by significant international teaching stints, having spent four years in Malaysia and two more in the United Arab Emirates. These experiences have enriched his teaching methods, enabling him to adapt to diverse cultural and academic environments while meeting the unique needs of his pupils.

Throughout his career, Musa has been dedicated to fostering a deep connection to his pupils. A connection that helps engage pupils with lesson content and deepen the experience of the learner. This along with his progressive and global view of learning hopes to create well rounded pupils with a broader appreciation of both their learning and the context in which it can be applied.

Having completed her University Education 13 years ago, Miss Rabia Irshad joined the British international school system in her home country, Pakistan, to begin her teaching career. It was only the beginning of her long journey to pursue excellence and bring the best out of her as a teacher and learner in the teaching process. She was responsible for middle school teaching but soon realised her potential. She was also entrusted with high school teaching. After teaching in a private school, she had the opportunity within the government sector. She maintained her brilliant teaching record before moving to China for her postgraduate study.

She was selected for the Chinese Government Scholarship to study at a Double First-Class University in China. She published five research papers with a high impact factor and won the Star of Science Award from the Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT). After completing her postgraduate study, she had her first opportunity to teach internationally at an international school in the Shandong Province. She taught senior high school for three years, earning a remarkable milestone in her teaching experience abroad.

As an individual, she highly values problem-solving capabilities and resorts to multiple ways of approaching a problem effectively and efficiently. She has been in China for almost six years and is well conversant with the culture and norms of China. She loves cooking and travelling. She is also profoundly interested in handicrafts and values the process and concept behind their design.

Dave began his academic journey at Rhodes University in South Africa, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chemistry, followed by an LLB degree. After more than a decade practicing as a specialist litigation attorney, he realised his true passion was making a difference in the lives of young people, leading him to transition into teaching.

His teaching career began in Korea, where he focused on English as an Additional Language (EAL). He later returned to Rhodes University to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), specialising in Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics). During this time, Dave also taught at a top private school in South Africa, where he became actively involved in coaching rugby and water polo, the latter at a provincial level.

In 2020, Dave took the leap into international teaching and moved to Qatar, and he has not looked back since.

Outside the classroom, Dave is an avid sports enthusiast with a particular love for rugby and is a proud Springbok supporter. He also enjoys traveling and exploring different cultures.

Chloe completed her master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University, specialising in Applied Economics. She has also been educated by Zhejiang University for her undergraduate qualifications in Finance. To keep herself learning, she spent more than 1000 hours studying Economics and Finance to pass all three levels of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams and gained a certificate in intermediate Economist. She has ten years of teaching experience in the Cambridge International Assessment Examination (CAIE) IGCSE and A level Economics curriculum.

She believes that every pupil is different in pace of learning and areas of interest. It is more important to build up their confidence in learning and help them believe that everyone will have their moments to shine. Thus, she created opportunities for students to participate in ASDAN Business Simulation, National Economics Challenge (NEC), etc. She is also a mother of two children, one is five years old and the other is one year old. She enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. 

Ms Jenney is a passionate art and design teacher who encourages her students to explore their interests by exposing them to many diverse art forms. She believes that by offering a broad range of experiences and projects, students will find a means to express themselves in a way that speaks to them as individuals. Ms Jenney has been working in education for more than twelve years. She has taught in the United States of America, South Korea, Thailand, and China. During this time, she has taught numerous subjects, including the following: English Language Acquisition, Mathematics, Science, and finally, Visual Arts. In addition, she is experienced in multiple curriculums: International Baccalaureate (MYP and PYP), British Colombia, AERO American Standards and AP Art, and the Chinese National Curriculum.

Lindsay dual majored at Iowa State University and received two Bachelor’s of Science: Fine Arts and Apparel Manufacturing and Design. She completed her Teaching License through the University of West Florida and acquired her QTS. Her strengths are in various forms of painting and fashion design. She has previously worked in a school in Jiaxing, where she began a tradition of art exhibitions and public displays. Before Jiaxing, she taught Visual Art from ages 3 to 18 in Ningbo and coached the school’s first competitive debate team.

Her interests vary significantly from saltwater reef keeping to snowboarding and softball. She is joined by her husband, Arif, and her two little boys, Arden and Ascher, that keep her very busy.

Adin is in his second year working at Wellington Hangzhou. Following a history degree at Reading University in 2010 he started his educational journey working in a special needs primary school. After this, Adin completed his Postgraduate Certificate in Education at UCL in 2015 and has taught history and geography in several outstanding secondary schools in London consistently achieving great GCSE and A Level results.  Adin has a strong interest in the pastoral needs of students and has held the role of Head of House, Head of Year 8 and is currently a House Master in Hiba School. Developing the whole child has always been something integral to Adin which has led him to set up mentoring groups, leading the Duke of Edinburgh, coaching sports teams and helping to develop the in-school extra support systems for students with additional needs.  
 
Outside of education Adin has worked with the Tottenham Hotspur foundation using football and boxing to support 17–21 year olds with mental health difficulties. Adin is also the founder and director of Pinpoint Inc, a community-based charity which helps to engage local community youth in positive projects to boost their skills. Adin’s hobbies include keeping fit and he can be found playing a variety of sports as well as reading. 

Alison completed her History BA at the University of Teesside, UK. Whilst teaching EFL in Turkey after graduating, she decided to become a school teacher and undertook a PGCE at the University of Leeds in Secondary History.

Alison enjoys sharing her love of history, the big and small stories of the past. She likes to encourage her students to develop a life-long interest in the subject as there is always something new to discover about the past. During her career, Alison has taught in various settings and seven different countries. After qualifying and spending time teaching History and SEN students in London, she joined a language school in Sicily to teach EFL and after one year, moved to teach History in Doha at Qatar International School.

In 2005, Alison taught History and was KS3 Co-ordinator in Tianjin, China for four years and subsequently History and Geography teacher for five years at the Centre Internationale de Valbonne in the south of France where she was also an examiner for the Diploma. After two years back in Northern Ireland, Alison then moved to Almaty, Kazakhstan where she taught Humanities from 2019. 

Alison is grateful for all the experiences teaching has given her and the opportunity to create an environment where students are empowered to think critically and creatively, to analyse and question, and to become valued contributors to society. Alison grew up in Antrim, Northern Ireland and in her spare time, she enjoys travelling, cooking, current affairs and karaoke.

Kimberly is passionate music and drama teacher at WCIH, leading both KS1 and KS2 primary classes. With a strong musical background as a concertmaster and lead pianist, she brings a wealth of expertise to her teaching. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Education, Culture and Society from Goldsmith, University of London, and completed her PGCE at Kingston University in 2017.

Kimberly has worked with a variety of age groups, including Year 2 in Hounslow and a Montessori Nursery, teaching the EYFS national curriculum in Surbiton, and as a maths and science specialist for Year 3 and 5 at a Cambridge accredited British school in South Korea. Her extensive experience and expertise make her a valuable asset to WCIH.

Kimberly is a driven and creative lifelong learner who is passionate about education and the wellbeing of pupils, parents, and staff. In her free time, Kimberly enjoys playing the violin and piano, as well as honing her skills in tennis, ice skating, martial arts, boxing, singing and drawing.

Shirley is originally from Shenzhen, China. She graduated from Goldsmiths university of London with the Master degree, She has an PGCEI teaching certificate from University of Nottingham in 2018 and complete Orff level one music teaching certificate in Melbourne in 2019. She taught in high school IGCSE music for 3 years and Junior music for 2 and half years, this involved organizing different student concerts in both of jobs. She had safeguarding training during those 6 years worked in British international school and familiar the Safeguarding policy in school.

After 6 years teaching experience, she came to Hungary study in Liszt F. Academy of Music Kodaly Institute in 2022, she learns more about the Kodaly teaching method here and bring better music education to her music class. Her teaching philosophy is a student centred approach of learning through playing.

Simon White is an experienced and dynamic Computer Science and ICT teacher with a strong background in both secondary and higher education. Simon’s previous role in Abu Dhabi, UAE, was rated Outstanding by BSO and ADEK; one of only five schools to earn that title.  In this role, Simon also filled the role of EdTech Coach.  In this EdTech role, he led technology based CPD sessions, helping colleagues embrace EdTech, and showing his commitment to professional development and the continuous improvement of teaching practices. 

Prior to his time in the UAE, Simon filled a range of roles in the education sector.  He has held teaching roles at Secondary and Higher Education levels.  He worked as an online tutor for the Open University in the UK, and he served as an examiner for a UK exam board.  Alongside his experience in the education sector, Simon also held roles within the Software Development industry.  His industry experience as a full-stack .NET developer has enriched his teaching with practical insights and technical expertise.

Simon holds an MSc in Computer Science with Big Data Analytics from Glyndwr University, a PGCE in Secondary ICT from Swansea Metropolitan University, and a BSc in Information Technology from the University of Glamorgan. His diverse educational background, extensive teaching and industry experience, and passion for his subject place him in a good position to nurture the next generation of tech-savvy pupils.

Jayesh is a qualified Marine Mechanical Engineer with a rich tapestry of experience spanning both operational and maintenance roles aboard ships and submarines. With a robust background in marine engineering, his journey has led him to the realm of education, where he has cultivated his passion for shaping young minds as a teacher, specifically in KS 3, 4, and 5, including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) Design Technology curriculum. Beyond the classroom, he is an avid traveler, seizing every opportunity to explore new cultures and landscapes, enriching his understanding of the world. Jayesh is deeply committed to fostering a dynamic learning environment that inspires curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation among his pupils.

Alex Hughes completed his studies in Design and Technology with Education from Goldsmiths College, University of London. During the exciting years around the turn of the Millennium, as the internet and world wide web gathered pace, he completed a master’s in science in Multimedia and Internet Information Systems. His passion is understanding how technology can be used to transform our lives, and how to best integrate the learning of new technologies within classroom settings. Additionally, his nearly thirty years of teaching have given him opportunities to develop a broad range of skills, including wood, metals, and plastics engineering, and also textiles and food technologies. His current focus is developing teaching methodologies for electronics, systems and control. While he has taught across the full age range, experience has been most recently focused on the A Level age range. His most recent international assignments have been in India and Indonesia. Prior to this, he worked in various contexts within UK schooling, both as a technology specialist and head of faculties.

In his free time, Alexander enjoys learning the piano and contributing to the music life of the young people he works with. He also enjoys oil-painting and has written articles on the subject of international education for a UK think-tank. He is accompanied by his wife and two young daughters, who are attending Wellington College International Hangzhou.

Ziwei Zhu completed her master’s degree at the University of Glasgow, specialising in education. She also received her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa for a psychology major in 2017. 

In the past five years, Ziwei Zhu has been teaching in multiple curriculums including IB, A-level, and IGCSE across the country. She worked as an IELTS and SAT teacher at a private college, she also taught English Language and Literature for international pupils under the IB curriculum. The experience of teaching provided her with a detailed understanding and experience in first-language and second-language English teaching.  

After getting her PGCEi from the University of Nottingham, she decided that it was time for her to expand her teaching in the field of psychology. She taught A-level psychology and IB DP psychology ever since. As a member of Wellington College Hangzhou, she hopes that she can continue teaching English and developing pupils’ interest in the field of psychology.

Jaki's teaching career started during her post-university travels around Asia, where she was offered a position as an EAL primary teacher in Hat Yai, Thailand. Having discovered a love of teaching, Jaki returned to her hometown of Southampton in England to undertake a CERT Tesol course and soon after became an English as a Second Language teacher for adults and children. Here, Jaki developed her love for teaching and decided to apply for a PGCE, which she completed in 2017 at Winchester University.

Jaki completed her NQT year at an inner-city school but had the travelling bug and decided to take the step into international education. Jaki returned to Thailand for two years as a Key Stage 1 teacher, which she enjoyed immensely and then moved to Qatar to develop herself further as the English Subject Leader for Primary. There she helped develop a curriculum to improve the standard of English across the school, an achievement of which she is incredibly proud.

In her downtime, Jaki enjoys music in all its forms, whether singing, playing instruments, producing or listening to live music. Where she is, music is not far behind. Jaki is a passionate educator who believes the relationships built inside a classroom are at the forefront of learning. Always striving to be her best, she is excited to be a member of the Wellington team and enjoys unlocking children's potential.

Mano Govender was born in South Africa, where she first qualified as a teacher, then moved to the UK to obtain QTS. She has a BA degree majoring in English, Education and Psychology, BA Honours in Psychology, a four-year Teaching Diploma and a Diploma in Library Sciences, and experience teaching the full spectrum of primary from the Foundation Phase up to Year 6. She has held a wide range of middle leadership roles from Numeracy Coordinator, Pastoral Coordinator, Coordinator of Humanities, and PSHE and RE. However, her passion is working with children in the classroom where they feel safe, happy, and challenged.

Mano has vast experience in teaching the British curriculum both in the UK and internationally, building on a wide range of skills and strategies to best support children learning English as a second language and having English as their mother tongue. She has high expectations of both the children and herself, supporting children in her care in a fun, engaging way to help them achieve their full potential. She aims to provide a caring, nurturing environment where children feel happy, safe and secure while being challenged to do their best.

During her international teaching journey in some of the best schools worldwide, she has successfully integrated her love for teaching with her passion for travel while embracing the beautifully diverse worldwide cultures. Her teaching journey began in South Africa, then to the UK, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Malaysia, Lithuania, Russia and now to beautiful China. She is enjoying her time at Wellington College Hanghzou and in China.

Matthew is a dedicated and passionate Year 4 teacher at Wellington College International Hangzhou. With an impressive career spanning several continents, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. Born in South Africa and having spent 15 years in the UK, Matthew's diverse background fuels his enthusiasm for travel, the Arts, and Education.

Matthew began his career as a class teacher and Deputy Head of Year in Berkshire, where he honed his skills in creating dynamic and inclusive learning environments. He joined Wellington College in 2022 as a classroom teacher and Head of Pupil Wellbeing. In this role, he has made significant strides in developing the PSHE and pupil wellbeing curriculum, leading to the school being awarded beacon status for its outstanding commitment to student wellbeing.

A graduate of the University of Swansea, Matthew earned his undergraduate degree in Applied Drama, where he first began to shape his educational philosophy. He believes in nurturing students academically, socially, emotionally, and culturally, and is committed to removing barriers to their success. He further refined his teaching philosophy and professional skills while studying for his teaching degree in Twickenham, London.

Matthew's dedication to education extends beyond the classroom. He has been a featured speaker at the Festival of Education in both Shanghai and Bangkok, hosted by Wellington, where he shared his insights and experiences on the impactful work accomplished in his role. His presentations have inspired many and underscored his commitment to educational excellence and pupil wellbeing. Matthew continues to strive for excellence in his teaching, aiming to create an inspiring and nurturing environment where students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning and develop into well-rounded individuals.

After graduating from Reading University with a first-class degree in Primary Education with a Mathematics specialism, Will began his teaching career at a primary school in Wokingham (near London). Since then, Will has gained a wealth of experience as a Year 5 teacher during his NQT year and a Year 6 teacher for the following three years. From preparing his class for the SATs exams to planning and leading the residential trip, Will has gained incredible experience in both the academic and pastoral side of being a teacher. Furthermore, Will’s role as the mathematics curriculum leader of his school for the past three years has enabled him to model and understand outstanding mathematics teaching and contribute to his pupils’ accelerated progression.

Will is best known for his organisational skills, confidence with technology, ability to work in a team and consistently positive attitude in life and the classroom. During his free time, you’ll typically find Will at the gym or playing racket and ball sports, with tennis being his absolute favourite. Also, Will is enjoying the experience and the exciting culture in a vibrant city such as Hangzhou.

Yalda graduated with a PGCE from the University of Warwick in 2014 where she received a commendation from the Chair of the Board for Examiners for her outstanding academic performance throughout her studies. She is a teacher with a holistic approach to learning and strongly values the importance of embracing and encouraging a child’s unique strengths and talents. Yalda takes priority in building strong, positive relationships with each of her pupils, enabling her to cater to their individual needs and preferred learning styles. She consistently strives to incorporate the teaching of fundamental skills into her daily practice, such as critical thinking, team building and reflection, enabling children to become independent learners and maturing global citizens.

Teaching across every year group within the primary age range throughout her teaching career has given Yalda a clear insight into the developmental phases of a child’s learning journey. Her broad experience has also equipped her with extensive knowledge of the National Curriculum for England. Yalda has a significant record of successfully supporting children from all over the world with English as an additional language. One of her greatest joys of teaching is watching these children grow and transform into confident English speakers. She has taken inspiration from these children by beginning her own journey in learning Chinese ahead of her exciting move from the UK to China.

Growing up in a dual heritage background has facilitated Yalda’s particular interest in learning about other cultures. She has travelled to many countries, and recently stepped out of her comfort zone by travelling solo to South-East Asia. 

Born and raised in South London – Yash is a professional, caring, and hardworking primary school teacher. He holds a BA Hons degree in History from the University of Wales and, in 2019, completed his PGCE with the University of Sunderland.  After graduating, Yash initially taught English as a foreign language in China before identifying that this was his career path. He has continued to grow as an educator by spending the past two years as a Homeroom Teacher within the International Division at a top IB PYP school in Shanghai.  Yash has developed a strong understanding of international education in the past few years and is dedicated to ensuring each child progresses academically and personally. He is now looking to develop his knowledge of the British Curriculum. Yash will complete the final stages of his formal teacher training by undertaking the highly recognised TES ‘Straight to Teaching’ Programme whilst at Wellington College International Hangzhou. 

Yash has always believed in pupils taking responsibility for their learning. He encourages pupils to understand and develop their social skills, recognises their talents, and provides pupils with the drive to make positive and genuine decisions.  Outside of school, Yash enjoys participating in different sports and activities. In his youth, he played football and cricket competitively. He enjoys road cycling, maintaining regular gym exercise, travel and exploring new places. 

Lauren comes from an arts-focused educational background, having studied BA (Hons) Graphic Design at Leeds Beckett University, UK. It was at university whilst running art workshops for disadvantaged children that she decided to become a teacher and she later undertook her PGCE at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK.

Lauren’s creativity and artistic flair infiltrates all that she does as a primary teacher and she is always generating new ideas and ways to deliver engaging and impactful lessons that reach every child. She strives to form strong working relationships with children, staff and parents to create a positive and enriching learning experience.

Lauren has spent the last eight years teaching in the UK. For the last five years, Lauren has been a Key Stage 1 and 2 class teacher at an outstanding preparatory school in central London, where she was also appointed as Head of the Humanities department.

Having had experience teaching across a range of year groups, Lauren enjoys teaching all ages within the primary range. She is an enthusiastic and supportive teacher who strongly believes that all children have the ability to achieve highly. She believes passionately in the close links between academic achievement and emotional wellbeing, in never labelling children, in being ambitious for each and every child and in a school's essential role in preparing children for all aspects of life.

Lauren considers herself to be an active, social and artistic person. Outside of school, she can often be found exploring new places, attending art exhibitions, reading, drawing, learning new languages and visiting coffee shops and restaurants with her friends.

Kathleen is an enthusiastic educator with a rich background in international teaching.  She earned her BA (Hons) degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies from the University of Portsmouth. Furthering her educational journey, she obtained a PGCE from the University of Sunderland in 2011 and a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) from Cambridge English. 

With 14 years of experience in British international schools, in countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, China, and Qatar. Kathleen has enjoyed teaching in a multicultural environment. Teaching across various primary year levels during her career has provided her with a distinct understanding of the developmental stages in a child's learning progression. Kathleen has embraced various teaching roles which has exposed her to different learning opportunities and has enhanced her growth on both a personal and professional level. 

Kathleen's holistic teaching approach centers around fostering strong, positive relationships with her pupils. She tailors her instructions to accommodate individual needs and preferred learning styles, while also consistently integrating essential skills. This dedication aims not only to nurture each child's unique strengths but also to inspire them to become global thinkers.

Kathleen has a passion for learning new languages and embracing new cultures. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, travelling, and exploring new places alongside her husband and son. Kathleen and her family are looking forward to continuing their adventure and travels through Asia.

Alexandra Cowley, born in Namibia, has spent much of her adult life studying, working, and travelling overseas. With more than 20 years of experience, she has worked with children aged 3 to 18 from different socio-economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds in Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Hong Kong and Kuwait.

She holds a Bachelor of Social Science undergraduate degree, having majored in Psychology and Social Anthropology, a Montessori Pre-Primary Teacher’s Diploma, and a Post-graduate Diploma in Special Needs Education. She also holds certificates in Play Therapy and Counselling Children and Adolescents and a diploma in Professional Child Psychology, making her well suited to Director of Pupil Support.

Alexandra spent 13 years living and working in Kuwait, the last eight years in a management capacity as Head of Early Years at International British Curriculum schools. This gave her the unique opportunity to work not only with children but also with parents, teachers, and other stakeholders.

She believes that her experience in teaching and leadership has given her a unique perspective on understanding the needs of children, teachers, and parents within an educational setting. It has also given her the necessary tools to support those she works with effectively and positively, as well as to communicate proficiently with other stakeholders. She leads by example and believes that discussion and open exchange of ideas are essential in developing a successful partnership.

Her educational background and diverse pedagogy experiences have helped her develop a deep understanding of the needs of children. Education is not only about educating the child academically but also socially and emotionally, something that she believes is becoming increasingly necessary within our society.

She moved to Hangzhou with her two youngest sons, aged 9 and 11, who joined Wellington College, while her oldest son, aged 19, remains in South Africa to continue his studies.

Caron Hou holds a master's degree in sports education. Ms Hou was the former chief coach of Singapore National Synchronised Swimming Team. She has achieved the qualification of coach and referee for artistic swimming issued by Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA). She won the title of best honourable coach, awarded by Singapore Sports Council. She is currently a national referee in China.   

 
Caron learnt the dance major in her childhood and was selected to join in the professional group by the coach of the synchronised swimming team. Later, she retired due to physical injuries and engaged in teaching. She has more than 30 years of professional experience and has won international competitions many times while leading the Singapore national team.   

 
At present, she is responsible for the daily teaching and competition organisation of swimming and synchronised swimming in our school. Meanwhile, she also contributes to planning and implementing the popularisation of synchronised swimming in Zhejiang Province. She hopes that more and more children will have the opportunity to participate in synchronised swimming in the future, to experience the unique charm of the sport, to gain the perseverance of the sportsmanship and to be the excellent reserve talents for our country!   

Scarlett Wu has studied in the UK since high school and obtained her bachelor and master's degrees in Psychology at University College London.

She has been working as a College Counsellor and Extended Essay Coordinator at several A-Level and IB schools in China for more than eight years. In nearly ten years of career as a college counsellor, she has been committed to helping students find the right career paths and universities overseas. She has helped hundreds of students from various countries including China, South Africa, India, and South Korea etc. get admitted to the universities in the UK, America, Australia and Canada, etc., which includes top universities like the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics and Political Science, Imperial College London and other G5 universities in the UK. Also the University of California, Los Angeles, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and New York University in the USA.

She is a member of IACAC and the ChinaICAC. She is a national-qualified psychologist and holds the Counselling and Extended Essay Certificates awarded by IB, and has been selected to participated in the first International Education Leadership Institute organised by ChinaICAC. As an A-Level graduate herself, she knows how to help students choose the right A-Level subjects and gives them practical advice on how to adapt to the life overseas.

Bella obtained a Bachelor's degree in Arts from Ningbo University and holds a Certificate of English Proficiency Test Band 8.

She is a permanent member of the International Association for College Admission Counselling and the China Institute of College Admission Counselling. She is also an internationally certified career advisor with over eight years of professional experience in school-based guidance for further education. Bella has helped over a hundred pupils gain admission to world-renowned universities in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada.

She firmly believes that every pupil has unique talents and potential. She is committed to becoming a good mentor and friend to pupils, accompanying them through every important stage of their academic journey and helping them achieve their dreams. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, exercising and reading.

Angie completed her master’s degree at Boston College, specialising in mental health counselling. In addition to her coursework and training in counselling at Boston College, she has worked as a middle school counsellor in Boston for one year. She has also worked as an ESL teacher, career advising assistant, after school tutor, and administrative assistant in varied educational and treatment settings. Angie is also a 2018 graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle, where she was a dean’s list scholar with a major in psychology.

In addition to completing her bachelor’s degree in the United States, Angie completed a summer study abroad programme in Greece, focused on enhancing mutual understanding between members of the Roma and local communities. Through these experiences, she has developed cross cultural awareness and the capacity to understand and empathise with others experiencing cultural, language, and national transitions. 

Elaine received her master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Washington and was authorised as an IB librarian in 2015. She established two secondary school libraries and guided them to pass the IB DP and PYP authorisation. Her article “Exploration and Practice of Curriculum Development for K-12 School Libraries in China” won the top prize in the 2016–2017 Shanghai Competition of Research Articles on Primary and Secondary School Libraries.

She was the keynote speaker at the 2019 Academic Annual Meeting of the Shanghai Library Society. Eight years of experience in library management, collection development, user services, and information literacy curriculum development has helped her gain a comprehensive understanding of what the library means to a school community.

Ellen has been a librarian for ten years in the US, working in private, public, and school libraries. Growing up in the suburbs of Texas, she always found solace and companionship in books which led her to studying English Literature at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. After obtaining her bachelor's degree, she ventured to New York City to further her education and expand her horizons. Ellen attended Pratt Institute School of Information, the oldest Library and Information Science program in the country, and received her Masters of Library Science. Everywhere she goes she carries her love of literacy along with the belief that it is never too late to become a voracious reader. In her free time, Ellen can be found gaming, listening to K-pop, writing stories, traveling, and of course making her way through her lengthy list of books to read.

Mia Zhu graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a master's degree in TESOL( Teaching English of Speakers of Other Languages). She has also been educated in China University of Petroleum( East China) for her undergraduate qualifications in Chemical Engineering and Technology. During her postgraduate program, she worked as an English tutor for IELTS preparation. In 2022, she got her teaching certificate in senior high school English. Since then she has been working in an international school as an assistant teacher helping with daily teaching and learning, pastoral care, as well as parental communications. The experience working in a bilingual environment has depeened her understanding of international education. The engineering education background has also installed an organised mind in her.

Outside of school, she has a wide range of hobbies, mainly including sports such as squash, swimming, biking, pilates... Fresh air and sweat can always bring back a positive attitude.