Introducing our new Principal

Why did you apply to become Principal at The British School Warsaw?

TBS Warsaw has an excellent reputation within the Nord Anglia Education family of schools and in fact was the very first NAE international school, founded in 1992 by Mrs Iwona Thomas OBE. When the opportunity first arose, I felt compelled to find out more about it and became more and more impressed by what I saw.  One thing led to another and I was delighted to be offered this wonderful opportunity.

What have you found are the biggest challenges when you start at a new school?

Learning everyone’s names! Apart from that challenge, I think the process of drawing together all the various strands of the school into one cohesive framework that makes sense to you, operationally and educationally. You only have one chance to look at a new school with fresh eyes, so to speak, from the outside in, and those initial thoughts and observations can be extremely useful as you begin to learn more about the school. 

What are your first thoughts and observations?

I have found TBS to be a welcoming and dynamic environment with talented teachers, eager students and supportive parents. In particular, I have been struck by the school’s recognition of the importance of transitioning students from school to the world of work, and giving them real agency to develop 21^st century skills and become lifelong learners.

How do you see your primary role at the school?

As a school leader, my role is to help create the circumstances in which all our students can develop the skills and capacities that will enable them to thrive in the future, whatever the future looks; to create a climate that is hospitable to education.

School improvement is an organic, ongoing process. For me, it is more about building on the many current strengths of the school and looking for opportunities for development and improvement through that process. That way, you avoid the trap of changing things just for the sake of changing them. More broadly though, I want to ensure that the school’s high-quality academic offering is matched by its provision in the arts, sports and other interests that our students may have.

Why did you want a career in education?

In my view, education is more of a vocation. There are few occupations which afford the job satisfaction to be had when working with students on a particular project or idea. The learning process is endlessly fascinating and seeing students develop an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the world around them over the school years and phases is a tremendous privilege.

Do you feel education is going in the right direction?

That is a loaded question! In my view, education is something of a curate’s egg – good in parts. The move from a post-industrial revolution education model of Thomas Gradgrind’s fact, facts and nothing but facts has developed with new thinking that puts a stronger emphasis on learning skills, in order that students can become powerful learners in any context. Exams and assessments have their place and quite rightly so in any viable education system but at the same time we should be mindful of the fact that personality, character and attitudes also count for a great deal in the world of work. Education systems, wherever they are, should ensure that high value is placed on the development of independent thinking, perseverance and creativity.

What life lesson would you like to teach students at TBSW?

There are two: be kind and be yourself. Today’s world of work is changing at a faster pace than at any time in our history and employment opportunities are more competitive than ever. The ability to stay true to your authentic self in the midst of everything that will be going on around you, is a sign of real maturity and strength – both of which qualities are very attractive to prospective employers. Treating those around you with kindness will get you far in life, whatever your circumstances.

When dealing with students, at what point is it appropriate to involve parents, and how do you support them in helping students succeed in school and at home?

Good schools rely on strong partnerships with parents throughout a student’s time at school. That relationship changes and evolves of course as children get older but it remains a crucial factor until the end of Year 13 when they leave school. Involving parents at the level of keeping them informed about their son or daughter’s progress at school ought to be a regular and constant process; involving parents when there is an issue to manage should always be done on a case-by-case basis because each family dynamic is unique and will require an individual approach.

Can you provide some information about your job history and experience?

For the last six years I was Principal of The British School of Beijing in China, also a Nord Anglia Education school. Before that I had been head of three independent schools in the UK over a period of twenty years. And before that I taught in schools in London and the South-West of England specialising in Music and the Performing Arts. Back when I was at University, I had a summer job working on a golf course!

Which gained experiences from other countries would you utilize in Poland?

I think the importance of understanding that we are an international community made up of families from across the world. This diversity, I see as a real strength of the school. Our students will naturally make friends with others from very different backgrounds and experiences to themselves, and in doing so will gain unique insights into other cultures and traditions. Their world view will be framed in this context, and give them an understanding of what it means to be global citizens.

Why did you want a career in education?

In my view, education is more of a vocation. There are few occupations which afford the job satisfaction to be had when working with students on a particular project or idea. The learning process is endlessly fascinating and seeing students develop an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the world around them over the school years and phases is a tremendous privilege.

What aspects of your work do you like the best?

Interacting with the students. Their take on life and the world around them is extremely valuable to me as a school Principal. It helps inform how we operate as a school and how we can best support them as they wrestle with the acadecmic, social and emotional challenges of transitioning into adulthood.

What are the fun facts about you nobody knows?

I am left-handed; I play the tenor saxophone; I love cricket and golf; I enjoy cooking and eating hot chilli!