HOW WE TEACH

How We Teach | Léman International School Chengdu - 01 Tertiary Page Header
At Léman International School Chengdu, our highly qualified teachers deliver personalised instruction –tailored to your child’s goals – and propel your child towards their greatest ambitions.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Our teachers individually tailor their teaching to each student with mentoring programmes and regular progress meetings, where they can adjust the learning plan as needed. By giving our students this level of individual attention, our teachers help build our students’ foundation to grow into confident, kind, and independent learners.
Our teachers’ approach is grounded in:
  • Best practice teaching methods, such as differentiated instruction, higher-order reasoning, the consistent introduction of new vocabulary, and daily lesson refinements.
  • Highly individualized instruction, documented and guided by Personal Learning Plans.
  • Data analytics to track your child’s journey through school so we can personalise their learning plan.
  • College and career guidance from Year 6.
  • Exciting extracurricular activities and international learning opportunities.
Image_LIS_Chengdu_2022
primary
  • SENIOR LEADERSHIP

MEET OUR TEAM

Our passionate team has the right mix of local and international experience to guide your child every step of the way as a global citizen. They’ll bring out your child’s best at school.
How We Teach | Léman International School Chengdu - Feature Cards Tabs
Tracy Connor
Principal

Mrs. Connor graduated with a LLB (Hons) in Law in 2004 and graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Primary Education (3–11) from Bradford University, UK. She has over 20 years of teaching and international leadership experience and a proven track record in leading change.

Tracy Connor

Mrs. Connor graduated with a LLB (Hons) in Law in 2004 and graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Primary Education (3–11) from Bradford University, UK. She has 15 years working in education both in the UK and internationally, having taught in the UK, Egypt, and China. 

Mrs. Connor works very closely with her teaching team to ensure that Léman students are inspired to act and to embed the Global Goals for Sustainable Development within the curriculum. She believes that teachers have a responsibility to create challenging and engaging learning environments, where children can thrive by becoming leaders of their own learning.

How We Teach | Léman International School Chengdu - Feature Cards Tabs
Paul Highdale
Head of Secondary

Paul has over 20 years of teaching and leadership experience in both UK and International schools. Paul comes with a breadth of experience in implementing and launching both the IB Diploma and Middle Years Programme's.

Paul Highdale

Paul has over 20 years of teaching and leadership experience in both UK and International schools. Paul comes with a breadth of experience in implementing and launching both the IB Diploma and Middle Years Programme's.

Originally from Liverpool in the UK, Paul studied Mathematical Physics at the University of Liverpool followed by his PGCE at Liverpool John Moore's University. The first 6 years of his career were spent at schools around the UK before moving to the Bahamas for his first International teaching position teaching IB Physics and Mathematics.  The Bahamas was followed by Sao Paulo, Brazil where Paul developed his leadership skills in a number of positions spanning 9 years. These included Head of KS3 science, Pastoral Lead, and IB Diploma Coordinator. After Sao Paulo, Paul and his young family moved to Cairo where he worked as Head of KS5, IB Diploma Coordinator, and associate assistant principal at New Cairo British International School.

In his most recent role as Whole School Deputy Principal at the International School of Ticino in Switzerland, Paul launched the IB Diploma and saw the first graduates successfully completing the Diploma this year. Paul was also responsible for staff professional development and appraisals, school philosophy and culture, and leading the IB Diploma coordinator network across the Inspired group of schools.

LIS_Chengdu_SLT
Thomas Ainsworth
Assistant Head of Secondary and DP Coordinator
Thomas is from West Yorkshire in the UK, and he joined Léman in 2021. He’s currently the Diploma Programme Coordinator (DP) for Years 12–13 and teaches English Language and Literature and has taught English Language Acquisition and History. Thomas has been working in education since 2008.
Thomas Ainsworth

Thomas has been a teacher of English Literature and Language, English Language Acquisition, and History for over a decade. His international experience includes working with the IB curriculum, the English National curriculum, Advanced Placement, ACT, IELTS, and TOEFL. He has held leadership positions such as IB Diploma Coordinator, EAL Coordinator, and Head of Modern Languages, and has taken on many other administrative duties supporting the senior leadership team. His pedagogical belief is that students should take ownership of their work wherever possible and make their studies relevant to their lives.

An adopted son of Chengdu, Thomas first visited the city in 2008 with the intention of staying for a single year teaching English, before returning to his native Yorkshire. Presently, Thomas finds himself still in Chengdu, married to a local woman, raising a small son, and paying off a mortgage. Having worked as a teacher in other cities in China and back in Europe, Thomas has no regrets about settling down in Sichuan; it’s the place he wants to be most, with its relaxed culture and spicy food.

Thomas’s passions are film, music, and food, and he occasionally finds time to go cycling and hiking in the mountains around Chengdu and beyond. He’s also a creative writer and harbours some vague notion that one of his short stories could eventually blossom into a commercially successful novel. Apart from that, he enjoys hanging out with family and friends.

Image_LIS_Chengdu_2022
Robert Dolan
Acting Head of Primary
Robert Dolan has been leading school projects and has developed his role as a senior leader. He has spent the last four years as the Assistant Head of Primary at the British School of Nanjing.
Robert Dolan

Robert Dolan has a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from the University of Lincoln, UK, and a postgraduate certificate in Education from Bangor University, UK. Since gaining QTS and becoming a teacher, he has evolved continuously as he’s adapted to new children, schools, and challenges. 

Robert started his teaching career in Bolton, in Greater Manchester in the UK. Every class of children he worked with left a lasting impact on him, and he has learnt extensively from all his students. Robert has always sought to create a nurturing learning environment, where his students feel confident to explore new topics and are inspired to develop their knowledge. 

Most recently, Robert has been leading school projects and has developed his role as a senior leader. He has spent the last four years as the Assistant Head of Primary at the British School of Nanjing, where he has guided the school and staff through challenges and has provided the stability and reliability needed.

LIS_Chengdu_SLT
Tina Chen
Director of Admissions and Marketing and Government Liaison
Tina has over 17 years’ experience in international schools, mainly involved in managing human resources, administration, government relations, and admissions and marketing. 
Tina Chen

Tina joined LIS as the Human Resource Manager since 2009, overseeing HR, including recruiting, compensation, benefits, training, performance management, employee relations, and the coordination of government affairs. She’s passionate about education and believes good education will make a difference to children’s lives. She has been focusing on admissions, marketing, and governmental liaison since 2017, and she continues to contribute to the development of the school.

Image_LIS_Chengdu_2022
CREATING A global LEARNING NETWORK

SEAMLESS TECH FOR GLOBAL CHALLENGES

At LIS Chengdu, we engage with Nord Anglia Education's online learning platform, Global Campus, through challenges, projects, and initiatives as a whole school. We ensure our Early Years, Primary, and Secondary students all participate in developing their global awareness alongside 67,000 other Nord Anglia classmates.
explore the virtual school experience

TEACHING QUALITY 

At Léman, we attract and retain the very best educators in the world through Nord Anglia Education – especially since our teachers have special access to world-class trainings and resources through Nord Anglia University that boost their professional development to the highest standards.


We’re proud of the daily efforts of our talented teachers, who all hold UK Qualified Teacher Status, or the equivalent, and many hold a master’s degree. They come equipped with a wealth of UK and overseas experience, ready to motivate your child through personalised instruction.

How We Teach | Léman International School Chengdu - Image-50-50 1

QUALITY ASSURANCE

The high quality of our teaching is best demonstrated through the fact that our community is happy and healthy – seen by how many of our teachers and staff remain on our team for an average of six years, with many staying much longer as they continue to build their expertise. 

From the very start of their time at LIS, all our teachers undergo a comprehensive induction programme so they fully understand the expectations, policies, and procedures of our school and adopt the high expectations of the Nord Anglia family of schools. And our parents notice the difference: 96% of Léman parents believe their child has a good relationship with their teachers and 97% say their child is happy at school.

Furthermore, by working closely with Nord Anglia Education, our highly experienced senior leadership team ensures consistency in our teaching, and our Oxford-based education team conducts annual reviews and visits so our school performs at the highest global standards.
Image_LIS_Chengdu_2022
Image_LIS_Chengdu_2022
JOIN OUR INTERNATIONAL TEAM

WORKING AT LIS CHENGDU

Children learn best when they're happy, and our teachers are at the heart of ensuring this is a reality at Léman Chengdu. We're delighted to shape young lives – and you can be part of it.
http://

OUR HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS WILL ENABLE YOUR CHILD’S SUCCESS

Great schools are made up of great teachers. That's why we recruit the world's best. Learn more about our highly qualified teachers, how they teach, and what it feels like to be a student at Léman by getting in touch with our welcoming Admissions team.

Enquire Today
Promo enquite