Andrew has worked at the British International School Shanghai, Puxi for over seven years and has taken the role of Principal at the school in the last academic year. Previously, as Head of Secondary, Andrew has overseen sustained increase in the school’s academic results for IGCSE and IBDP students, enabling two thirds of our BISS Puxi students to reach top 100 Universities worldwide in the last year.

These results have been achieved by adopting Nord Anglia’s ‘Be Ambitious’ philosophy and applying it to the school’s five key pillars; Academic Excellence, STEAM with MIT, Performing Arts with Juilliard, Internationalism and Sports.

Originally from Northamptonshire in England, Andrew has worked in teaching for over twenty-five years. He attended the University of Sheffield, studying Geography as an undergraduate. Andrew then moved to Twickenham to study a PGCE in Geography and History. He began his teaching career at a school in Essex, teaching Geography at all levels.

As a keen advocate of hands-on learning, Andrew took students on numerous fieldtrips to extend their learning and bring geography to life – both in the UK and France. This continued as he took up a senior leadership post at a school in Northamptonshire. History students enjoyed tours in Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic and Hungary, exploring the architecture and history of cities in Eastern Europe. He has also encouraged students to travel and to challenge themselves through sporting activities – kayaking the Ardeche in France, sailing on the Mediterranean, skiing in Andorra and trekking in Botswana and Zambia.

The opportunity to work at BISS Puxi presented Andrew with the chance to explore the international school environment and the prospect of a new challenge in a different part of the world. Andrew and his wife had visited China before and were determined to return to explore further. He has two young sons whom he believes will benefit from the culture of shared learning within the international community. In his own teaching he is a great believer in making learning relevant to students’ lives and exploring new ideas through effective questioning and discussion, challenging and enjoyable engagement, regular feedback and peer and self- improvement strategies.

Andrew began his career at BISS Puxi as Head of Key Stage 3 before taking the role of Head of Secondary in August 2015. Andrew has always developed good working relationships with students, parents and staff – he believes that this formula is the key to excellent student progress. He sees supporting the social, emotional and pastoral needs of pupils as a priority, partnered with a balanced curriculum that allows students to find their passions and be the very best they can be.

Andrew has varied interests – he is an enthusiastic footballer and runner. He enjoys music from the eighties, reading an eclectic mix of books and spending time with his wife Lisa, who also teaches at the school. Their two sons continue to thrive at the school. There is always a lot for them to explore as a family in Shanghai itself and they have enjoyed travelling in Asia, visiting places both within China and elsewhere in the region.

Caroline Taylor has been an educator for over 30 years. She started her career in the UK and has taught in both UK state and private schools. Caroline has been in international education for the last 20 years and she has taught in schools in Thailand and China. She has been in school leadership for her entire overseas career. Caroline has held positions as diverse as Whole School Assessment Coordinator, Head of Middle School, Deputy Head Academic and Head of Senior School. She has been working with Dulwich College International for the past 10 years and during that time she has held the positions of Deputy Head Academic, Head of Senior School and now Head of College. She has worked in both Beijing and Shanghai.

Kathryn has been in Education for 21 years. She taught in London schools where she quickly progressed into leadership positions. In September 2014, Kathryn moved to Dubai as a Deputy Head teacher in a British curriculum international school, and in 2016, she was promoted to the Head of Primary at their newly-opened sister school.

Kathryn has a bachelor’s degree in Education, specializing in maths and science. In addition to this, she has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management and is 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, and provide challenge for all.

Mr David Mansfield is a Cambridge history graduate who after two headships in the UK, became Headmaster of Dulwich College, Beijing. He is now Executive Headmaster of Shanghai’s Y.K.Pao School, one the leading bilingual Chinese international schools in China.