How We Teach

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT NAIS HONG KONG

Getting to know each child in-depth and helping them flourish is our teachers’ forte. As highly qualified educators excited to join the ranks of Nord Anglia Education, they all hold UK Qualified Teacher Status or the equivalent, and many hold a specialised master’s degree, too.

Their qualifications – in addition to their robust experience with the English National Curriculum and International Baccalaureate – ensure they’re ready to deliver personalised lessons of an excellent global standard.

What’s more, they have all the flexibility and tools to challenge and support each child exactly where they need it. With their dedication to building good relationships, they help each child reach their full academic potential.

Mr. T. Richardson

Principal

Tim Richardson started his teaching career in the UK, having graduated with a Bachelor’s in Education from Exeter University. He very quickly realised his passion for international education and moved to the Middle East to teach in one of the first truly international schools in Dubai.

After initially teaching the equivalent of Primary Key Stage 2, Tim had a series of positions of responsibility and after 11 years in the classroom, he was appointed to Deputy Head in the same school. This marked the beginning of his senior leadership career, which has included Head of Primary at one of Dubai’s leading IB schools as well as Principal of a BSO rated outstanding National Curriculum school. During this time, Tim worked with international curriculum developers and assessment leads on building robust and supportive programmes that had great teaching and learning at their core. Tim also worked alongside teacher training organisations to help develop professional expertise in early career teachers.

After 28 years in Dubai – much of which had been spent preparing his students for further education and careers all over the world, including placements at Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial, London – Tim and his wife took heed of their own advice and expanded their horizons.

For the last 3 years, Tim has been working with British School of Guangzhou teachers, school leaders, parents, students, and NAE to develop BSG into a thriving learning hub, where students can excel in academics, sport, and performing arts, and as creative, confident, capable and responsible members of their communities, ready to lead positive change in the world. This summer, Tim joined NAIS HK and is delighted to be part of the incredible NAIS community.

Mrs. S. Harley

Deputy Principal

Sarah began her teaching career in 1996 at The Pointer School, an Independent Prep School in London. Before moving into Senior Leadership, she taught across all three primary key stages and had taken on additional areas of responsibility.

In 2001, Sarah became Deputy Head and continued in this role, while maintaining a teaching responsibility and preparing the school for Inspections until 2011. She then moved to become Head of Preparatory School at Babington House School in Kent, England, before leaving this post to relocate to Hong Kong in December 2013 with her husband and two children.

Sarah is Deputy Principal of NAIS Hong Kong and Head of Campus Lam Tin. As a highly skilled and experienced international and independent school leader, Sarah has been a founding member of the NAIS Hong Kong team.

Sarah’s professional qualifications include a LLB (Hons) as well as a PGCE (IoE). She has completed both UK and international leadership courses through IAPS and COBIS, and she has also recently completed her ISI Inspector training.

Mrs. F. Thorndike

Head of Secondary

Fiona joined NAISHK in August 2023 as Head of Secondary and is an experienced Senior Leader and Headteacher who has driven academic improvements and innovation in London schools.

Fiona joined NAISHK in August 2023 as Head of Secondary and is an experienced Senior Leader and Headteacher who has driven academic improvements and innovation in London schools. She has worked as part of United Learning, the United Kingdom’s largest academy trust and specialised in leading Teaching and Learning and Professional Development. Fiona is a Design Technology teaching specialist and a Future Leaders graduate from the National College for Teaching and Leadership, Nottingham UK.

Mrs. R. Hanson

Head of Early Years

Ruth has over 20 years’ teaching experience in education, including over 10 years in senior leadership. She is deeply committed to delivering outstanding education and care for children, their families, and the colleagues she works with.

Ruth holds a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education from the University of Wales, Cardiff. After finishing her master’s, Ruth moved with her family to London from her home in Wales to work at one of the UK’s leading children’s centres, The Thomas Coram Centre, which was also the UK’s first designated Early Excellence Centre. During Ruth’s seven years there, she became Assistant Head of Centre and received ‘Outstanding’ grading from OFSTED twice.

In 2009, Ruth then became an Early Years Consultant at The Children’s Hospital School at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Working alongside the leadership team, she set up and developed a Children’s Centre for patients under five, their siblings, and parents. The centre was a huge success and a first for children’s hospitals around the world.

Ruth then joined Nord Anglia Education in 2012 at The British International School in Shanghai, Puxi. For six years, she served as part of their Senior Leadership Team, developing their Early Years and Key Stage 1 departments as Assistant Head of Primary.

Ruth is now Head of Campus at Nord Anglia International Pre-School, Sai Kung and is thrilled to be work alongside the NAIS Hong Kong team. Here, she develops outstanding pre-school education and oversees the ASN and EAL departments across the whole school.

Ruth lives in Hong Kong with her husband, Abby, and their two sons, Ben and Morgan.

Ms. S. Burton

Director of Admissions and Marketing

Sandra joined NAIS Hong Kong in 2023, having previously worked in marketing roles across the globe, including our Nord Anglia Education schools in Abu Dhabi and Budapest. The friendly face you'll meet when you get in touch with us, Sandra is passionate about the school, the opportunities we offer, and our wonderful city.

Sandra started her career in the luxury travel industry in 1989, before joining Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts as Sales Manager.

In 2014, Sandra and her family relocated to Abu Dhabi in the UAE, where she was appointed Head of Admissions and Marketing at a Nord Anglia Education school. After four years, Sandra returned to the UK to embark on a career in the hospitality industry.

Sandra joined another Nord Anglia School, British International School Budapest in 2021 as the Director of Admissions and Marketing. During her time with the school, she oversaw a period of unprecedented growth and advancement by ensuring each family received the personalised care and attention they need.

As our new Director of Admissions and Marketing in NAIS Hong Kong and working alongside her fabulous team, Sandra will create a warm, welcoming admissions journey that’s tailored to your needs.

In her spare time, Sandra enjoys exploring new places with her two children.

OUR TEACHERS’ HIGH QUALITY

Beyond qualifications and experience, how else do we see our teachers' strength? We see it in the classroom through their positive relationships with their students – something 97% of our parents confirm.

Our teachers foster safe and supportive relationships, where each child feels safe to make mistakes and excited to find creative ways to solve challenges. Our supportive approach allows each child to thrive, as they can try new things, follow their interests, and discover their passions, cheered on by expert teachers.

Our teachers' excellence also shows in their loyalty to NAIS Hong Kong. We build a strong base of educators who grow with us through the years, and they stay for an average of five years – although many stay for much longer. This continuity builds robust expertise, and we love to promote many of our staff to senior positions at our school.

OUR TEACHING AND LEARNING STANDARDS

As part of the Nord Anglia family, our teaching and learning standards are second to none at NAIS Hong Kong. While our team ensures we uphold the highest standards, we’re also supported globally by Nord Anglia’s Education Team, who drive our success in academics, quality assurance, accreditation, and safeguarding.

We give our teachers a comprehensive induction upon joining NAIS HK to fully understand our expectations, policies, and procedures, as part of Nord Anglia.
We strengthen them with the award-winning online training platform Nord Anglia University – filled with world-class resources, best practices, and hundreds of courses.
Subject specialists from Apple, MIT, and Juilliard boost our teachers with their expert trainings and exclusive resources, equipping them with confidence.
We continually invest in other professional development opportunities, making every measure of our school – from quality assurance to safeguarding – first rate.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT NAIS HONG KONG

NAIS HONG KONG TEACHERS AND STAFF

OUR TEACHERS’ HIGH QUALITY

OUR TEACHING AND LEARNING STANDARDS

TEACHING WITH TECH

GLOBAL CAMPUS