Safeguarding, Inclusion and Sustainability in Schools

Victoria is Assistant Director of Accreditation at the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). As an experienced senior leader with previous roles in both international schools and in the UK, she has taught and led across various age phases from nursery to secondary, specialising in Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Victoria has been involved in school improvement as a Specialist Leader of Education for PSHE and pastoral support, having set up networks and professional development opportunities in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Previously, Victoria worked at the University of Worcester as a senior lecturer in Initial Teacher Education (ITE), developing educational programmes for SEND, diversity and global citizenship education as well as PSHE. She is also the lead editor and co-author of the My Life PSHE schemes of work published by Harper Collins and the International Wellbeing curriculum with Cambridge Assessment International.

At present, Victoria is undertaking a Doctorate in Education, with a focus on Equity, diversity and inclusion in primary schools and creating a culture of belonging. Additionally, she is a governor at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford, where she holds a responsibility for safeguarding.

John was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland. He studied at the University of Dundee, where he earned a B.Ed in Primary Teaching. After graduating, John gained his Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and taught in Inverness in the North of Scotland. John has obtained his NPQSL and is currently pursuing his M.Ed in Management and Leadership and his BSO qualification as a school inspector.

John also trained formally as an EAL (English as an Additional Language) teacher, which ultimately led him to Shanghai, China. This experience then brought John to Britannica International School Shanghai, where he has been teaching for the past 9 years. In total, John has over 12 years of teaching experience.

At Britannica, John has taken on various leadership roles, including serving as the Global Citizenship Coordinator and a Year Lead, before moving into a senior leadership position. Throughout his career, John has had the privilege of collaborating with diverse groups of people, all working towards the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being.

Alastair is an experienced school leader, with nearly 30 years’ experience in the education sector.

Before joining Wellington, Alastair served for ten years as Headteacher in a large primary school (around 840 pupils) in the London Borough of Harrow, UK. Prior to this, Alastair was Headteacher at a primary school in Buckinghamshire, England for six years.

Alongside his work as a Headteacher, Alastair has worked for many years as a school improvement consultant, advising schools in the UK and abroad on leadership and management, curriculum development and evaluating the quality of teaching and learning. Alastair has a proven track record of successful strategic leadership and change management.

Alastair is passionate about improving pupil outcomes and doing all he can to create an environment where children and staff are happy, safe,and successful.

Alastair has recently moved to Shanghai with his wife and three teenage children.

Born and raised in the best county in England, Yorkshire. Duncan studied philosophy in the Metropolitan University of London at the same time as starting and running a music production company.

Since deciding to enter the world of teaching in 2006 through a Teach First program, Duncan has taught in a variety of different contexts. Teaching in London to begin with before studying TEFOL and moving to Beijing and teaching in a Beijing university. He met his wonderful wife there and she and Duncan moved back to the UK so she could complete her Masters degree. Duncan became the head of an English department and managed huge changes in staffing, exams and lead well being activities for staff and students.

Duncan became Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning in a Cambridge school and led the trust’s new teaching and learning strategy across all 22 schools. During this time Duncan also completed his NPQSL and Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management. Becoming a senior Assistant Principal taking on the responsibility for pastoral matters as well, the creation of a house system and helping to secure valuable partnerships with some boarding schools in Cambridge.

He joined Wycombe Abbey Hangzhou in the summer of 2023 as an Assistant Principal of Upper School, Executive Head of Boarding and Director of Community. During this time we initiated and developed relationships with the local community through social action projects, local and national charity work, we began to rebuild our ‘learning outside the classroom’ trips provision as well as establishing links with high quality universities to give our young people an experience of higher education.

Currently the Deputy Head of Whole School Pastoral at Wycombe Abbey Hangzhou, Duncan has demonstrated exceptional dedication and a deep commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for both students and staff. His innovative approach to community-building and his unwavering focus on student well-being have made a profound impact on the school.

As Deputy Head of Pastoral, Mr. Woodhouse continues to champion the pastoral care and development of our students, working closely with the pastoral team to ensure that every student receives the support they need to thrive both academically and personally.

Born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, Paul studied at the University of Strathclyde and received a bachelor’s degree with Honours in Physics, Mathematics and Education. Paul is currently pursuing the NPQH qualification for Headteachers alongside studying for his MBA.

Paul began his educational career in Scotland as a Physics and Mathematics teacher before making the transition to international education which has included spells in Romania, the UAE, London and now Shanghai. He has been teaching for fourteen years, with the last nine of those in a range of educational leadership positions. His professional and educational experiences have afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of people to raise the profile of British Education overseas, increase student attainment and promote student and staff wellbeing.

His educational philosophy is based on his uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, a committed and focused educational team, and an encouraging and supportive community.

Barbara began her career in the FCDO in 1999 while still at University. Once she graduated (BSc Hons in Psychology and Human Biology) Barbara took sabbatical to set up an education consultancy company in Hong Kong. She returned to take up a secondment to the UK Trade and Investment’s Hong Kong and China Desk. She studied Mandarin at SOAS in her spare time and went on to be posted to the British Embassy in Beijing.

Since then Barbara has worked on UN Security Council Policy and was part of the original team to establish the Emerging Powers Initiative. Barbara was posted to Kabul where she worked on reforming the Afghan Police Force. Prior to being posted to Guatemala City, Barbara headed up the Political Team in the British Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam.