Paul Farrell
Paul Farrell
Principal
Paul Farrell

Paul Farrell

Principal

MBA, M.A, BSc. Hons

Born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, Paul studied at the University of Strathclyde and received a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Physics, Mathematics and Education. After several years of teaching and educational leadership Paul has obtained a Master’s in Business Administration, MBA, and a Master’s in Corporate Communication, MA. Paul is currently pursuing his NPQH qualification with the UK Department of Education.

Paul began his educational career in Scotland as a Physics and Mathematics teacher before making the transition to international education which has included spells in Romania, Dubai, London and now Shanghai. He has been teaching for fifteen years, with the last ten of those in a range of educational leadership positions. This is Paul’s sixth year at Britannica Shanghai.

His educational experiences have afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of people to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being. His educational philosophy is based on his uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, a committed and focused educational team, an encouraging community, and a supportive family. All of which Britannica International Shanghai possess.

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Anthony O'Brien
Vice Principal and Head of Secondary
We Chat Image 20230322104340

Anthony O'Brien

Vice Principal and Head of Secondary

B.Sc. (Hons) , PGCSE

I graduated from St Mary's University, London with a B.Sc. (Hons) in Sports Science and then completed my PGCSE in Secondary Education at the University of Wales, Cardiff. I began my teaching career over 20 years ago on the playing fields of South Wales and since then, I have taught in Kuwait, Venezuela, China (Beijing) and Romania. I have extensive leadership experience as a Head of Department, Assessment Coordinator and Deputy Head. This is my fourth year in Britannica and I am looking forward to a successful year.

John Benson
John Benson
Head of Primary
John Benson

John Benson

Head of Primary

BEd Hons.

I graduated from the University of Dundee with a B.Ed in Primary Teaching and taught for one year in Inverness in the North of Scotland. During that year I trained formally as an EAL teacher, which in turn brought me to Shanghai. I began my teaching career in China teaching English to Chinese students from 3-15 years old before making the move to Britannica.

Maria Smyth
Maria Smyth
Head of Early Years, Reception B Teacher
Maria Smyth

Maria Smyth

Head of Early Years, Reception B Teacher

BA Hons., PGCE

In 2008 I graduated with a BA Hons in History with Education Studies from Manchester Metropolitan University before completing my PGCE with QTS in London. I initially taught in an inner-city school in London for two years before moving to the North of England where I worked for a further four years. I joined Britannica in 2016 and now look forward to beginning my sixth academic year. During my time at Britannica I have taught in both EYFS and Primary alongside my role as Cross Phase English Coordinator. I am in the final stages of completing my Masters in Inclusionary Practice where I have specifically researched strategies to support children learning English as an additional language. This year I am very much looking forward to leading our EYFS team here at Britannica.

Cristina Ortiz Zurita
Cristina Ortiz-Zurita
Deputy Head of Secondary
Cristina Ortiz Zurita

Cristina Ortiz-Zurita

Deputy Head of Secondary

MA, MEd, BA, NPQSL

Cristina has over ten years of teaching experience, starting in the UK as a teacher of Spanish and French, before joining Britannica in 2018 as Director of World Languages. For the past 3 years Cristina has been a Senior Housemistress at Harrow International, Shanghai. In this role she was responsible for the pastoral care and wellbeing for students in the senior school. Cristina joins as Deputy Head of Secondary – Pastoral. This is a new role which has been introduced to cater for the increasing numbers in the Secondary school.