An inspiring leader with a strong passion for inclusivity and global education, meet our Principal Chris Pooley

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT MANILA?

Manila is so vibrant and diverse and has a great contrast where no two days are ever the same. It is a beautiful place to explore, and the people are some of the friendliest I have ever met.

WHAT EXCITES YOU THE MOST ABOUT LEADING NAIS MANILA?

I could go on forever, but for me, it's the chance to make a real difference to both children and staff. As an International School that is still relatively young, we have come so far, yet the future is ours to create!

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN COMING BACK TO SCHOOL? 

The 'buzz' of learning that fills the school when the children come back. Whilst schools are incredibly complex organisations, it's working with people that makes it so rewarding. Everyone who visits our school comments on how warm, caring, and welcoming it is.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL MOST PASSIONATELY ABOUT AND WHY?

I am mostly passionate about personalised learning. I feel proud to be in a school where we recognise every child as an individual; this comes from my schooling. I was fortunate to have some influential male role models at the right time in my life. Mr. Simons, Mr. Coleman, and Mr. Williams taught me a lot in Years 5 and 6 at Primary school. They personalised learning, taught much more than just academics, and instilled in us that it was just as important to be a good person as it was to be good at a certain subject. Our school motto was 'My Best Always,' which still resonates now.

WHAT HOBBIES DO YOU HAVE? WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THEM?

As a proud Cornishman, I love rugby and surfing. Unfortunately, it's more watching rugby than playing at the moment, but hopefully that will change before I get too old and have to hang up my boots.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHRIS POOLEY

As an inspiring leader with a strong passion for inclusivity and global education, Chris leads Nord Anglia International School Manila as the Principal.

Following a successful career in Leisure Industry Management, Chris reskilled and gained a Bachelor of Education (Primary) from University College Plymouth. Although he enjoyed his time in Leisure Services, there is nothing more rewarding than his passion to work with young children.

Chris taught and held various leadership positions in the United Kingdom (UK) and Thailand before he moved to the Philippines in 2014 and served as the Head of Primary, where he led the growth and development of the Primary School. Chris has undergone the Nord Anglia Education Senior Leaders and Aspiring Principals Programmes, which accelerate his development and reinforce the importance of Nord Anglia Education’s Continuing Professional Development.

In 2021, Chris was appointed as the principal and achieved several milestones and highlights. In 2022, NAIS Manila recorded the highest A-Level results in the Philippines and became a complete ‘through school’ when it saw its first cohort graduate, where each child got an acceptance offer from their university of choice.

Chris’ role enabled NAIS Manila to be recognised as an award-winning International School and as one of the leading International Schools in the Philippines, and with the strong support of the community and Nord Anglia Education, he believes that the best is yet to come for NAIS Manila.