Wellington College, Shanghai welcomes Mr Andrew Salmond Smith as Head of the Junior School

Andrew was raised in Cumbria, where he was lucky enough to have sea views from the front windows and the Lake District from the back. He read Classics at The University of Exeter, where he also took his PGCE. His first teaching post was as Head of Classics at Long Close School, moving on lead the department in the Junior School of The King’s School, Ely. Next stop was St. Anselm’s School in Bakewell as Director of Studies before obtaining his first Headship, leading The Grange Preparatory School in Santiago, Chile, probably the leading international school in South America. With over one thousand pupils and a hundred full-time teachers, this was quite a school for a first Headship. After five happy and successful years in Chile, Andrew returned to the UK, as Head of St Mary’s School, Lincoln, and then St George’s School, Windsor. He has been a Team Inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate since 2008. Andrew is married to Louise, who is the Head of Tormead Junior School, Guildford, and they have two teenage daughters, Izzy and Penny. He greatly enjoys travelling, visiting new places and meeting new people. His favourite place in the world is the north-west of Scotland. Any free time is spent walking their three dogs – two of whom were rescued from the streets of Santiago by Louise - also researching and visiting historical sites, riding motorbikes or reading. Regarding his appointment, Andrew writes, “The Head of any school has a wonderful job, with the responsibilities of educating and caring for children, watching them garner the skills, wisdom and knowledge not only for the next stage in their school career but for life. To be fortunate enough to become the first Head of the Junior School of Wellington College International Shanghai is such an exciting prospect. I am delighted to be joining the school and I am already working closely with other members of the whole-school team to make things ready for August. “Our school is not just going to be a place of learning but of so many other things as well: excitement, discovery, inspiration, bravery, creativity, laughter, thought, friendship, cooperation and challenge. I want every boy and girl who comes to our school to learn as much as they can about their world and learn as much as they can about themselves. “With eleven years of Headship behind me, five of those spent abroad in a huge, bustling school, plus my considerable experience of working in and inspecting the British Independent school system make me well placed to take on this fascinating challenge. In England, Wellington College has over the last few years proved itself to be at the forefront of all things educational; it is a forward-thinking, proactive and dynamic school which values every single one of its pupils as an individual. We shall be doing just the same in Shanghai, bringing the best aspects of global education together to make the school into a beacon not just for China or the Far East, but the world. I am so much looking forward to being a part of this.”