Members of our academic team in Wellington College Hangzhou have rich teaching backgrounds with an average teaching experience of over ten years each, they lead a team of outstanding educators recruited from within China and around the world. We are committed to supporting and challenging our academic staff to be innovative in their work through a series of proven and robust professional learning programmes. Over 60% of the Chinese staff have a master’s degree with over 50% of them having overseas learning experience. More than 90% of the expatriate staff come from the UK, USA, Canada and other native English-speaking countries.
Many teachers have graduated from QS world ranked top 100 universities including Harvard University, Cambridge University, King's College London, University of Pennsylvania, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, University of Hong Kong and Zhejiang University. Our own Wellington College China, The Bridge | China will deliver many of these training programmes to ensure that our teachers continue to harness their work as educators, informed by the very highest quality research and practices from around the world.
All academic SLT members at Wellington College Hangzhou have substantial teaching and management experience and will steer our teachers and academic staff according to our core values. Embracing the holistic approach to education that underpins the Hiba ethos, empowers our pupils to realise academic excellence and lead a flourishing life. Upholding the ideal of cultivating talent through virtue, kindness and integrity, our leadership team aims to promote high-quality education to more families in Zhejiang and neighbouring areas and to develop well-rounded individuals with strong values and the skills to thrive within an ever-changing world. We are delighted to introduce our academic leadership team to you.
Kathryn Richardson
Master of Wellington College Hangzhou
Ms Kathryn Richardson, Master of Wellington College Hangzhou, 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 Headteacher in a British curriculum international school., In 2016, she was promoted to the Head of Primary at their newly opened sister school. Kathryn has 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 a qualified facilitator for the National Qualifications of Middle and Senior Leadership. Kathryn has a passion for school improvement and strongly believes in ensuring every child reaches their true potential. Kathryn has redesigned school curriculums to be creative, personalised to each individual pupil, and provide challenge for all.
Ivey Wang
Principal of Hiba Academy Hangzhou
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 Years Programme(MYP) Principal. Ivey 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 multicultural understanding and communication, as well as the knowledge and practice of internationally recognised pedagogy, and gradually became a leader from a teacher. Ivey worked as K12 Chinese Curriculum Coordinator at Shanghai American School, 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 an 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 well-being. Through leading education innovations, she is dedicated to cultivating 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.
Hatty Leung
Head of Sixth Form
After completing her degree in Mathematics MA (Hons) at the University of Edinburgh, she began her career in education in 2005 through the prestigious graduate programme Teach First. Here, she knew she had found her calling; inspiring students to enjoy and be curious about the wonders of mathematics. Her talent for classroom practice was formalised with her admission to the Outstanding Teacher Programme in North London. As her career progressed, Hatty became School Director of Mathematics, where she led a dynamic team to great success through its first set of public examinations. By creating academic challenges and a system of support for her students and staff, she ensured that students met and exceeded their targets. Looking for change and adventure, Hatty began working at Kellett School, The British International School in Hong Kong in 2012. As Deputy Head of Sixth Form, she was an integral member of the founding Sixth Form team, where she oversaw pastoral care and closely monitored the academic progress of students while helping them on their paths to higher education. She has supported applicants to reach a wide variety of destinations, including Oxford and Cambridge and Russell Group universities.
Hatty is proud and delighted to be in a profession where she inspires young minds to share her love of learning while facilitating the pursuit of their life interests. She believes that a successful education should feed a student’s innate curiosity to allow them to flourish into well-rounded, independent individuals who are fully prepared to thrive in higher education and beyond.
Hatty believes that in Wellington College Hangzhou’s Sixth Form, students will receive world class pastoral care, exciting academic challenge and ample opportunity to develop as individuals. Furthermore, she believes that empowering our students with an excellent education will enable them to succeed in their lives.
Stewart Brown
Head of Junior High and Senior School
Stewart is a proud educator who approaches his work with a deeply ingrained philosophy of high expectations for all, whilst being steadfast and tenacious in the pursuit of excellence. Stewart is from the UK, he studied Biochemistry with Management BSc. (Hons) at Imperial College London and then Strategy and Governance MA at Nottingham University. Stewart entered the teaching profession through Teach First in London, as a pioneer on the first year of the programme in 2003. He taught Biology and Chemistry in challenging but exciting schools in South East London, before leading the Science Faculty at the flagship City Academy. Stewart left the UK in 2007 and headed to Hong Kong, where he worked as a Science lead at the top performing school in a large international foundation.
In 2011 he helped build from the ground up what is now one of the highest achieving British international schools in the world.
Stewart’s own credibility stems from him being an outstanding teacher in his own classroom, and a leader with a consistent track record of high success. Stewart strives to build happy and collaborative teams, his enthusiasm and passion for learning are infectious. Stewart has a breadth of experience in education where he has served as an examiner, mentor, project lead, consultant and the founder of a country wide collaborative network - all roles or functions in the education industry with intent to raise standards and performance. In recognition of his commitment to, and ongoing positive impact upon the teaching profession, Stewart has been awarded Fellowship to the Chartered College of Teaching; the highest professional body for teaching in the UK. Stewart believes that his purpose as a leader is to put an academic agenda at the forefront of all decisions being made in the construction of an exceptional international education. He knows that this agenda can only be successful when fully supported by world class wrap-around pastoral care, with a keen focus on positive education which empowers students to be the masters of their own wellbeing.
Nina Li
Deputy Head of Junior High and Senior School
Nina Li is proudly Britishand Chinese holding both Chinese and British 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.
Tracey Zheng
Head of Primary
Tracey, originally from Shanghai, graduated from the University of Sydney, Australia, with a bachelor's degree in Science and a master's degree in Education. In addition, she has a bachelor's teaching degree in Secondary Mathematics from the University of Technology, Sydney. After teaching in Sydney, Tracey continued her career in Beijing and Shanghai. From 2013 to 2016 Tracey developed and implemented the Bilingual Mathematics Curriculum in the International Division of the Beijing Haidian Foreign Languages School (BHFLS). During her career in BHFLS, her teaching was acknowledged with an award for the best demonstration of teaching in the Sixth “China-Sweden International Mathematics Education Forum”. Tracey previously worked as the Head of Secondary at Vanke School Pudong (VSP), and has played a vital role in the start-up of VSP, from preparation to the opening of the school and the continued development of the integrated bilingual curriculum.
She believes that one of the important roles of an educator is to provide students with the skills to adapt to the demands of their future education; to cultivate in them the initiative to learn in various scenarios; to enhance self-directed learning and teamwork as well as to foster a life-long learning mindset. Tracey believes that as well as having the power of critical thinking, it is of paramount significance for students to develop benevolence as a way to enrich their inner selves and the worlds of others with whom they interact.
Laurence Burgess
Deputy Head of Upper Primary
With substantial leadership experience in a range of high quality British and International contexts, Laurence believes learning must be engaging, challenging and purposeful, all underpinned by strong values and high expectations. Supporting and leading within the school team he is passionate that students experience a values based, broad and enriched curriculum. One that encompasses exciting and challenging academic areas whilst developing a passion for music, sports, innovation the arts and child leadership, in addition to a skills based extra-curricular programme. All of which are balanced with international mindedness, a growth mindset and care for others. With close to 20 years of experience in education, he has previously worked as Deputy Headteacher of a Shell International School in Oman and Assistant Headteacher at an (OFSTED Outstanding) British Ministry of Defence school in Brunei Darussalam. Most recently he worked in a Shell affiliated international school in Russia, further developing the International Primary Curriculum. Laurence holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and a BA Hons in European Business Management from University of Wales, Cardiff and prior to finding his chosen career in education, he worked within the recruitment, marketing and logistics industries.
Sophie Brookes
Head of Early Years and Lower Primary
Sophie completed her Greek and Roman studies BA at the University of Birmingham, UK. Whilst volunteering at a local primary school,, she decided to become a teacher and undertook a PGCE at the University of Exeter in Primary Education with a specialism in the Early Years.
Sophie's passion is the development and education of young children. However, she has a range of experience across the primary age group at teaching and management levels. During her career, Sophie has taught in various settings and in three different countries. After qualifying and spending time learning her craft in the UK, she joined the British International School, Cairo, where she stayed for several years. Upon returning to London, she became Head of Early Years Foundation Stage at Sarum Hall School, a highly respected prep school for girls in London. In 2013 Sophie joined Harrow Beijing as Head of Early Years and has been in China ever since, leading the Primary sections of MIS in Shenzhen and KCS in Chengdu.
Sophie was a teacher moderator for the London Borough of Camden's Early Years team. She has also been an NQT mentor and has written articles about Early Childhood Education for several magazines. Sophie is passionate about child-centred education and the importance of meaningful education for children. She is also interested in Special Educational Needs.
Erica Yang
Deputy Head of Early Years
Erica has completed a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education at the New Zealand Tertiary College and obtained a national-level New Zealand teaching certificate. She has been teaching in New Zealand for five years and has worked in leading early childhood centres. She supported the leadership team by training new teachers and actively developing and integrating curriculums. Reggio Emilia’s teaching methods influenced her, especially her philosophy and teaching practice. She believes that every child is a capable, unique and resourceful individual. She is committed to creating a respectful, inclusive and inspiring learning environment for children through trustworthy relationships. From her previous roles, she discovered her warm, responsible, and passionate nature and her sincere love for children of all ages. She cherishes the opportunity to learn with her children as she sees herself as a lifelong learner. As a teacher from a Chinese cultural background, she advocates cultural diversity and strives to foster a positive sense of self-identity in every child. Her overseas experience has also provided her with unique cross-cultural communication skills and the ability to understand, support and assist parents through positive relationships. Erica enjoys working in a team and believes effective leadership starts from understanding, empathy, supporting and mentoring.
