how we teach

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Our world-class, native English-speaking teachers bring a wealth of global experience to our classrooms, personalising learning to ensure every child achieves success.

PERSONALISED LEARNING THAT INSPIRES

Our students deserve the best, which is why we recruit the finest British and international teachers from across the globe. All our teachers are carefully chosen; they’re experts in their field and hold globally recognised qualifications.

In our dynamic, technology-enriched environment, BIS staff build strong connections with each student. They deliver academic excellence and create tailored learning opportunities – both in and beyond the classroom – that will inspire your child to imagine a world of possibilities.

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TEACHER-LED TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY THAT TRANSFORMS LEARNING

Our teachers embrace the transformational power of education technology (EdTech) to help our students expand their minds and skills – and become digital natives. This includes our dedicated educational technology coach, who works closely with subject specialists to bring learning to life in thrilling ways.

In our world-class science and ICT suites, STEAM Maker Space, and classrooms, teachers use top-of-the-range technology – including iPads, robotics, and 3D printers – to stimulate collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. And on the Global Campus platform, your child will take on challenges alongside more than 70,000 children worldwide.

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  • SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
  • EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM

MEET OUR TEAM

Our leadership team drives our culture of excellence and inclusivity, making sure every child is supported, challenged, and inspired to achieve their very best.
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Richard Vaughan
Principal
Richard joined BIS Hanoi in 2021. A highly experienced teacher and senior leader, Richard has previously held Principal positions in the UK, Hungary, and Cambodia. He is passionate about delivering a well-rounded, tailored educational experience, which ensures every child succeeds both personally and academically.
Richard Vaughan

Richard graduated from Westminster College in Oxford, UK, with a Bachelor’s in Education (Hons). He was later awarded a National Professional Qualification for Headship from the National College of Leadership UK.

Richard has held various teaching and leadership roles in schools across the world. After starting his career in the UK, where he was Head of two UK primary schools, Richard moved to Vietnam, becoming Head of An Phu Primary Campus at the British International School in Ho Chi Minh City. He was appointed Principal of the Britannica International School in Budapest, before returning to Asia in August 2017 as Principal of Northbridge International School, Cambodia. Richard joined us here at BIS Hanoi in 2021.

An enthusiastic, reflective learner, Richard enjoys leading, supporting, and working closely with our exceptionally talented team of teachers. He’s passionate about the role education can play in transforming the hearts and minds of individuals and the wider community.

In his spare time, Richard likes to run, play tennis, travel, and listen to music. He’s also an active member of the local church. Richard’s wife, Alison, is a qualified educator, and they have two adult children, Harriet, a recent university graduate, and Tom, who graduated from Northbridge in 2021.

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Rebecca Carroll
Head of Primary
An experienced primary and senior leader, Rebecca taught in the UK, UAE, and Slovakia, before moving to Hanoi with her family. Rebecca has completed the Nord Anglia Senior Leadership Programme and is committed to supporting our primary team’s continued professional development.
Rebecca Carroll

After qualifying in 1999, Rebecca taught in the UK before moving to the United Arab Emirates, where she worked for five years. She subsequently joined the British International School Bratislava (BISB), also a Nord Anglia School, where she was part of the primary and senior leadership team.

While at BISB, Rebecca successfully completed the Nord Anglia Senior Leadership Programme. She’s also a tutor for the Middle Leaders Programme. Rebecca is passionate about learning and enjoys developing both her own and her team’s knowledge in leadership and education. 

Rebecca moved to Hanoi with her husband and two young children. Outside of school, she likes spending time with her family, travelling, and running. She also enjoys playing the piano.

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Chris Newman
Head of Secondary
Chris is a vastly experienced teacher and leader who has held Head of Faculty and Deputy Head roles at international schools across the globe. Holding Master’s degrees in both Teaching and Educational Management, Chris is passionate about providing a truly holistic education, where high academic expectations are balanced with excellent co-curricular opportunities.
Chris Newman

Chris grew up in Melbourne, Australia. His first teaching role was at Caulfield Grammar School’s experiential learning campus in Nanjing, China. He subsequently completed a Bachelor’s of Commerce at the University of Melbourne, majoring in management and strategy, before taking an HR leadership role at ANZ Bank.

Chris’s heart has always been in teaching, though, and he returned to the University of Melbourne to complete a Master’s of Teaching (Secondary) and a Master’s of Educational Management. 

Chris has held a variety of teaching and leadership roles at schools in Australia and overseas, including tenures as Head of House, Boarding House Master, and Head of Faculty. In 2015, Chris was appointed Deputy Head of Senior School at Dulwich College, Beijing.

Chris is passionate about providing a truly well-rounded education, where academic excellence is balanced with outstanding co-curricular opportunities. He believes this inspires young people to make a difference, set an example for others, and serve the community.

Chris lives in Vietnam with his wife, who is also a teacher, and his young son. In his spare time, he loves travelling, playing sports, reading, and getting involved in the community.

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Lan Doan
Business Director
Lan is a longstanding member of the BIS Hanoi family, having joined us in 2012. With more than 17 years' experience in finance and accounting – including roles at high-profile global businesses – Lan ensures the highest possible standards.
Lan Doan

Lan has worked for more than 17 years in accounting and finance, including General Accountant, Chief Accountant, and Finance Manager roles in Vietnam and overseas.

In 2012, Lan joined BIS Hanoi from MWH Global, an international consulting, engineering, and construction company. She was promoted from Chief Accountant to Business Director in July 2017.

Outside of school, Lan loves yoga, practicing regularly to strengthen the body and calm the mind. She also enjoys spending time with her children, cooking, travelling, and reading books.

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Vanessa Allepuz
Director of Admissions and Marketing
The friendly face you’ll meet when you get in touch with us, Vanessa is a vastly experienced admissions and marketing specialist, who’s fluent in four languages. She leads a team that’s passionate about making sure every family feels like they belong, helping to create a community and culture that embraces diversity.
Vanessa Allepuz

Originally from Barcelona, Vanessa graduated with a Master’s in Business Engineering from l'Universite Catholique de Louvain-La-Neuve in Belgium before working for an American consultancy firm while pursuing a Master’s in International Management.

Working in a diverse range of industries – including banking, logistics, and utilities – Vanessa managed complex projects, coaching and training staff at high profile companies including ABN AMRO Bank, DHL and APM Terminals. After discovering a passion for marketing and communications, Vanessa moved into education, joining BIS Hanoi in 2022.

Vanessa has lived and worked across three continents, and is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Italian, as well as having a good knowledge of Dutch. She has also spent more than 10 years in Korea. A proud parent of four children (three of whom attend BIS Hanoi), she knows how important it is to make parents feel welcome and part of a thriving community.

MEET OUR TEAM

Our leadership team drives our culture of excellence and inclusivity, making sure every child is supported, challenged, and inspired to achieve their very best.
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Stephanie Miller
Deputy Head of Secondary
With over 10 years of experience in educational leadership positions, Stephanie is committed to a whole-school approach to the development of skills for students to thrive in a 21st-century context.
Stephanie Miller
Stephanie Miller

With over 10 years of experience in educational leadership, Stephanie is committed into a whole-school approach to the development of skills for students to thrive in a 21st-century context. Through her work on mindset and metacognition in her early career she has embedded this into her classroom practice and leadership approach to ensure that students, teachers and parents understand the importance of and are committed to preparing students beyond the curriculum, and providing them with opportunities to develop skills in order to flourish in an ever-changing future.   

Stephanie is firmly committed to growing others, and is always seeking new opportunities to grow students and teachers.  Leading by example she makes sure to be up to date with the latest developments in educational and leadership practice.  Stephanie is an avid reader, enjoys listening to podcasts related to education, and is currently completing an MA in Education with Keele University, UK. 

Outside of school, Stephanie is a keen traveller, cyclist, sportswoman and is currently developing her ceramics skills to bring back into her teaching.

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Laurence Cabanne
Deputy Head of Primary
A lifelong learner, Laurence has studied and worked across the globe, gaining a Master’s in International Trade in the process. Laurence is currently studying for the Certificate of School Management and Leadership at Harvard and is passionate about providing exceptional opportunities that inspire every child to fulfil their potential.
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Laurence Cabanne

Born in France, Laurence has studied in Spain, the UK, USA, and Taiwan. She graduated with a Master’s in International Trade before completing her PGCE at Sunderland University in England.

After spending 15 years in Thailand – where she held various teaching and leadership roles – Laurence was appointed Assistant Principal at GIS Eastern Seaboard. 

Laurence is a firm believer in providing opportunities for every student to fulfil their potential. A lifelong learner, she is passionate about the latest educational, leadership, and learning techniques, and is currently completing the Certificate of School Management and Leadership at Harvard.

Outside of school, Laurence enjoys discovering new places, trying new food, and practicing yoga.

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Robert Taylor
Assistant Head of Secondary (Wellbeing)
An experienced PE and maths teacher, Rob has held leadership positions in schools across the UK and in the United States. Rob is committed to providing a broad range of high-quality learning experiences beyond the classroom, and is a firm believer in the power of sport to improve health and wellbeing.
Robert Taylor

After graduating from the University of Southampton, Rob worked as a PE teacher, Head of PE, and Director of Sport in a variety of schools in England.  

In 2010, Rob joined the British International School of Washington as Head of PE, before being appointed Director of Sport. Six years later, Rob assumed the role of Assistant Head of Upper Secondary, with a focus on student wellbeing. He was also responsible for exploring and implementing a wide range of learning experiences for students. 

Rob enjoys keeping fit and taking part in almost every sport, and – in his younger days – played semi-professional football for Havant and Waterlooville FC in England. A proud parent of two boys, Rob and his family enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures. He is a firm believer that ‘traveling broadens the mind’.

 
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Gemma Archer
Assistant Head of Secondary (IBDP)
Gemma is an experienced subject specialist and teaching coordinator, who is currently studying for an MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice. Gemma helps our IBDP learners to achieve excellence by encouraging independent learning, supporting them to bounce back from setbacks, and ensuring they have opportunities to thrive.
Gemma Archer

Gemma is a passionate teacher and subject specialist who has a wealth of experience leading geography departments, as well as coordinating teaching across curriculum phases, in international schools.

An enthusiastic and lifelong learner, Gemma is currently working towards an MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice. She has a keen interest in implementing evidence-informed strategies that help our students to be independent and effective learners. She also promotes the importance of enquiry-based learning and reflecting on setbacks.

To support her wellbeing, Gemma loves exploring the natural world, making the most of every opportunity to travel and hike. She also enjoys yoga, reading, and singing.

 
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Holly Carmichael
Assistant Head of EYFS/EYFS Phase Leader
A qualified primary and early years educator, Holly has extensive experience teaching across Key Stage 1 and 2, as well as coordinating maths curricula. Holly loves the opportunities offered by international education and helps to embed global experiences into our youngest students’ learning experience.
Holly Carmichael

Holly trained in the UK, graduating with a degree in Primary Education from Brighton University.

Holly then taught for eight years in London, as a Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 classroom teacher and a Maths Coordinator. On a recent trip to Vietnam, Holly spent five months teaching English as a foreign language in Hanoi.

Holly thoroughly enjoys learning about the history and culture of Vietnam. In her spare time, she loves running, swimming, cycling, walking, and socialising with friends.

HELPING OUR TEACHERS GROW

Our teachers are among the very best in the world. We offer them world-class opportunities to learn and grow, ensuring they’re at the leading-edge of global educational practice.


On the award-winning Nord Anglia University learning platform, our teachers study for further qualifications, including a Master’s in International Education with King’s College London. They also complete hundreds of courses – like our bespoke Multilingual Learning programme – each year. Our specialist subject teachers benefit from expert training with Apple, MIT, and The Juilliard School, too.


In school, our teachers take part in continual professional development sessions twice a week. They also actively research themes, methodologies, and techniques in line with our Statements of Excellence.

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Our Staff and How We Teach | British International School Hanoi - Feature Quote
At BIS Hanoi I would like to ensure that all students enjoy and flourish in their sporting and learning journey.
Salome Airdrie
Director of Sport and Activities

SETTING THE STANDARD

At BIS Hanoi, we strive for excellence in everything we do. Our teaching standards are second to none and we’re proud to be fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and International Association for College Admission Counselling.


As a centre of excellence for Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and a designated International Baccalaureate World School, our teachers benefit from exclusive training, resources, and support from world-leading organisations. We regularly assess our teachers against local and national benchmarks, too, as well as Nord Anglia’s stringent Quality Assurance framework.

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WORKING AT our school

JOIN OUR FAMILY

BIS Hanoi is an inspiring and energising place to teach. You’ll feel like you belong in our vibrant community, which encourages excellence and provides opportunities for you to develop personally and professionally.
Teaching at our school
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WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?

Get in touch with us today to book an in-person or virtual campus tour, where you’ll meet our exceptional teachers and discover how we deliver excellence. 

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