Elizabeth Westwood
BTh (Hons) (Oxon), MEd, PGCE
Growing up in Birmingham as the youngest daughter of Dr Martin Hadlington, a Chemistry teacher and Lay Reader, and Mrs Carol Hadlington, a nurse, Elizabeth developed an interest in education and a passion for understanding other cultures and religions from an early age. Her leadership skills were evident even then as Head Chorister and as a Warrant Officer in the Girls’ Brigade.
After reading Philosophy and World Religions at Westminster College in Oxford, she completed her teacher training at the University of Birmingham where she met her husband Joseph. Two years of teaching in Doncaster were followed by her first school leadership position as Head of Philosophy, Religious Studies and PSHE in Grantham at Sir Isaac Newton’s old school. Having completed a master’s degree in Psychology, she had further leadership positions in the UK before embarking on an international teaching career, first in Oman and then here, at BISS where she held a number of roles including Special Needs Coordinator, Year Leader and Assistant Head of the Primary School.
Elizabeth has taught every year group from Reception to Year 13, prepared Year 6 students for SATs, prepared others for Oxbridge interviews, taught GCSE, A Level and IB TOK. After two years away as Deputy Head of one of our Nord Anglia International Schools in Qatar, Elizabeth is really excited to be back in Shanghai and about becoming part of the pride once again.