Sioned Jones
Sioned Jones
Pre-Nursery Teacher and ASA Co-ordinator
Sioned Jones

Sioned Jones

Pre-Nursery Teacher and ASA Co-ordinator

BA Ed.

In 2010 I graduated with a BA Ed and QTS in Primary Education from Trinity University, Carmarthen. I specialised in the Foundation Phase and since then I have taught in a number of schools in West and South Wales, before joining the Early Years team at Britannica last year.

Claire O Brein
Claire O'Brein
Nursery Teacher
Claire O Brein

Claire O'Brein

Nursery Teacher

After graduating from Early Childhood Education in 1999 I spent the next 20 years Teaching in various international schools in South America, Europe and Asia. I have taught across all stages in EYFS during these years, mostly in Pre Nursery and Nursery. I moved to Shanghai in 2020 and have been a regular volunteer in the EYFS department at Britannica for the last two years.

This year I am thrilled to be teaching Nursery in Britannica. I hope with my vast experiences in teaching in many different cultures and my enthusiasm for an active outdoors lifestyle will create an inclusive, compassionate and eager learning environment.

Margo Palacios
Margo Palacios
Reception B Teacher
Margo Palacios

Margo Palacios

Reception B Teacher

Growing up I lived, studied and worked in seven different countries. Throughout this time, I learned to speak four different languages. My love of languages led me to pursue a degree in Modern Foreign Languages with Education from King’s College in London.

I am a qualified Early Years Foundation Stage teacher. During the theoretical part of my teacher training, I covered topics such as Child Psychology and focused on the different aspects of children’s development; their emotional, social, physical, cognitive and language development. Having had firsthand experience growing up in a multi-lingual household, I am especially fascinated by children’s ability to acquire language. The first five years are crucial in a child’s life to lay the foundation for their future successes.

My core value as an Early Years teacher is to transfer a love of learning and a positive attitude towards school. My aim is to guide children towards independence by helping them gain social skills, try something new, build resilience and set a strong foundation for literacy and numeracy.

Maria Smyth
Maria Smyth
Head of Early Years and Reception Teacher
Maria Smyth

Maria Smyth

Head of Early Years and Reception 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.

Daniel Russell Norman
Daniel Norman
Year 1A Teacher
Daniel Russell Norman

Daniel Norman

Year 1A Teacher

Samantha Jenni Davis
Samantha Davis
Year 1B Teacher
Samantha Jenni Davis

Samantha Davis

Year 1B Teacher

Carla Hay
Carla Hay
Year 1C Teacher
Carla Hay

Carla Hay

Year 1C Teacher

Abbie Howard
Abbie Howard
Year 2A Teacher
Abbie Howard

Abbie Howard

Year 2A Teacher

I graduated with a B.Ed in Primary Education with QTS and Physical Education from the University of Winchester. I have taught in a Primary School in the South of England for two years and have experience in teaching EYFS, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. This will be my first-year teaching at Britannica International School. I thoroughly look forward to working with the pupils here in Shanghai and I will support them to achieve and thrive in all aspects of school life.

Suzanee Lee
Suzanee Lee
Year 2A Teacher, Year 2 Lead
Suzanee Lee

Suzanee Lee

Year 2A Teacher, Year 2 Lead

Gareth White
Gareth White
Year 2B Teacher
Gareth White

Gareth White

Year 2B Teacher

Chrisna Olivier
Chrisna Oliver
Year 2C Teacher
Chrisna Olivier

Chrisna Oliver

Year 2C Teacher

Kai Harvey Knowles
Kai Knowles
Kai Harvey Knowles

Kai Knowles

David Read
David Read
Year 3B Teacher
David Read

David Read

Year 3B Teacher

Mairead Fiona O Dowd
Mairead O'Dowd
Year 3C Teacher
Mairead Fiona O Dowd

Mairead O'Dowd

Year 3C Teacher

BA, PGDip

Originally from Roscommon, in the west of Ireland, I began my career in a small school where I taught in a multi-grade setting.

After graduating from Dublin City University with an honours Bachelor Degree in Human Development and Irish Language, I continued my studies of Education in Glasgow, Scotland.

Here, I graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a Post Graduate Diploma in Primary Education at Master’s Level.

I moved back to Ireland after my teacher training and began teaching in large schools in Dublin.

I have 6 years’ experience working with SEN children and I am an accredited Dyslexia Tutor with the Dyslexia Association of Ireland.

I am looking forward to being part of the Britannica Team and the academic year ahead.

Thomas Perryman
Thomas Perryman
Year 3B Teacher and Year 3 Lead
Thomas Perryman

Thomas Perryman

Year 3B Teacher and Year 3 Lead

BSc Hons / PGCE

I graduated as a Teacher in Primary Education in 2014 from the University of Plymouth, UK. I spent the next 4 years teaching all subjects of the UK National Curriculum at a primary school in the south of England. In 2018, I moved to China where I taught the Cambridge Curriculum to Grade 5 children at a newly established Bilingual School in Ningbo. Learning about a different culture alongside teaching internationally was a great experience. Having now moved to Shanghai, I am very happy to be part of Britannica International school. This is clearly a school that values every individual child and nurtures them to achieve their potential. I am very much looking forward to supporting school’s vision and joining this fantastic team of educators.

Roland Heidemann
Roland Heidemann
Year 4B Teacher
Roland Heidemann

Roland Heidemann

Year 4B Teacher

BSc Hons, PGCE, MEd

After graduating from Lancaster University with a BSc Hons in Ecology I continued my studies at the University of Cambridge where I gained my Post Graduate Certificate of Education and Master of Education. Having taught in a boarding school in Hertfordshire for three years I began teaching internationally in 2011 at a British International School in Suzhou, China, teaching Key Stage 2. After 7 years working in international schools in Shanghai, I am excited to be joining the team at Britannica.

Roma Brown
Roma Brown
Year 4C Teacher
Roma Brown

Roma Brown

Year 4C Teacher

BA Hons

I completed my Bachelors in Education in London, gaining a First-Class Honours in Primary Education from the University of Roehampton. I then worked as a class teacher and as a Mathematics coordinator for five years in an Ofsted Outstanding UK Primary school.

In 2018 I decided to further enhance my teaching experiences and jumped at the opportunity to move to Shanghai. I have spent the last three years working as a Year 3 and 4 class teacher and I look forward to working alongside a great team of teachers and students at Britannica International School.

As a fully qualified primary school teacher, I am experienced in teaching all curriculum subjects. My specialism is language acquisition and mathematics. I have also taught philosophy to children both in London and more recently in Shanghai.

I hope to bring over a decade of experience to date, to inspire and develop our group of international students to become well-rounded independent learners, both academically and socially. My aim is to empower them to continue their eagerness for learning, to share and communicate their ideas in a collaborative environment.

Myles Boardman
Myles Boardman
Year 1A Teacher
Myles Boardman

Myles Boardman

Year 1A Teacher

BA

I began teaching following the completion of my Bachelor’s degree in the UK. I decided to focus my attention on Primary education as this age group has always interested me; the potential for progress in such a short amount of time is fascinating.

I aim to develop my teaching beyond simple language acquisition to a more holistic approach, developing independent learners with a growth mindset. After teaching in Europe, I relocated to Shanghai working as a class teacher, delivering the KS1 English National curriculum. I take pride in catering for each individual child and ensuring their needs are met.

I have always believed teaching to be an extremely rewarding career; facilitating students learning, watching them grow and move beyond expectations is a pleasure to witness. Providing a rich learning environment and a classroom which provides a sense of belonging to all my learners is a priority.