Meet the Teacher: Former Pro footballer and now St Andrews Head of Science

Meet the Teacher: Former Pro footballer and now St Andrews Head of Science Meet Mr Derek, our new Head of Science. Mr Derek has an expanse of experience, including over 30 years in education in some of the best schools in the UK, accompanied by a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and a Master’s Degree in Education. Mr Derek also has IB qualifications in Physics and TOK along with IGCSE experience. He has plenty of career highlights, leading winning student teams to NASA competitions in Houston, USA, and month-long World Challenge trips with students to Costa Rica and Vietnam.

Meet Mr Derek, our new Head of Science. Mr Derek has an expanse of experience, including over 30 years in education in some of the best schools in the UK, accompanied by a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and a Master’s Degree in Education. Mr Derek also has IB qualifications in Physics and TOK along with IGCSE experience. He has plenty of career highlights, leading student teams to NASA competitions in Houston, USA, and month-long World Challenge trips with students to Costa Rica and Vietnam. Learn more about Mr Derek below:

I love most sports, playing mainly football and golf. My golf handicap varies between 14-18, depending on how much I practice and play. I am a good skier and was a life-saving instructor/assessor at a previous school. I have a passion for travelling and have been lucky to visit many countries, with my favourites including Thailand (of course!), Sri Lanka and Mexico. I enjoy reading, trying to cook and socialising with friends, family and colleagues.

Journey to St Andrews 

I started my teaching career at Kimbolton School, a mixed boarding school in Cambridgeshire, before moving to Haberdashers Aske's school, a high-achieving all-boys school in North London. I then moved to South Hampstead High School, a selective al girls day school in London where I was a Pastoral Head of Year 10 and 11. My previous school was Francis Holland School (Regent's Park) in Central London, where I spent 13 years as Head of Physics, Head of Science and Senior Teacher. I hold IB qualifications in both Physics (DP) and Theory of Knowledge. 

I have a BSc (Hons) degree in Physics, a Master's MA degree in Education, a PGCE certificate and Advanced Teacher Certification from the UK. I have over 30 years of teaching experience at selective independent schools in England, and my first term at STA will be my 100th Term as a teacher and my first teaching overseas. I have also been an A level and IGCSE Examiner of Physics for Edexcel and AQA for over 25 years.

Career Highlights

• Taught Physics to over 350 IB / A level students, with a large percentage of these going on to study STEM subjects and medicine at the world’s top universities.

• Led a team of students to the NASA International Space Competition, Houston USA - Winning teams in 2018 and 2020. 
• World challenge (month-long expeditions) leader to Vietnam and Costa Rica 

Thoughts on St Andrews

What stood out to me about St Andrews International School Bangkok is that it genuinely values each student as an individual and aims for teaching and learning to be done in a fun way. It is always trying to improve and help everyone do their best. The community spirit stood out as an outstanding feature of the school when I visited on a sabbatical tour in 2019. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first week of VSE teaching. I already know the names of most of my students, and I have tried to make the lessons as interactive as possible. I have provided individual verbal feedback on their work with the ‘Mote’ tool. Outstanding learning outcomes can be achieved via the VSE if activities are varied, interactive and time is allowed for reflection and discussion. 

Aspirations at St Andrews

The MIT partnership provides world-class training and opportunities with Nord Anglia schools. I aim to foster the ethos of innovation, experimentation, and creativity of MIT and build this into all students’ teaching and learning experiences through their STEAM subjects. Collaboration between the subject departments and utilising the skills and expertise of the teaching staff is critical in empowering today’s students to be key 21st-century global citizens of the future.

I have coached the UK Independent U18s schools football squad and have spent a number of summers coaching soccer/football in the USA. I hope I can help and contribute to the excellent teams at St Andrews.

Fun Facts 

Before training as a teacher, I had three years as a professional footballer with Peterborough United and Sheffield Wednesday. I also played football four times for England Under 18s team. Also, I completed a skydive for charity despite being scared of heights!