Meet our academic leadership team

Members of our academic team in Wellington College Hangzhou have rich teaching backgrounds with an average teaching experience of over ten years each, they lead a team of outstanding educators recruited from within China and around the world. We are committed to supporting and challenging our academic staff to be innovative in their work through a series of proven and robust professional learning programmes. Over 60% of the Chinese staff have a master’s degree with over 50% of them having overseas learning experience. More than 90% of the expatriate staff come from the UK, USA, Canada and other native English-speaking countries. 

Many teachers have graduated from QS world ranked top 100 universities including Harvard University, Cambridge University, King's College London, University of Pennsylvania, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, University of Hong Kong and Zhejiang University.  Our own Wellington College China, Huili Institute of Learning will deliver many of these training programmes to ensure that our teachers continue to harness their work as educators, informed by the very highest quality research and practices from around the world.   

All academic SLT members at Wellington College Hangzhou have substantial teaching and management experience and will steer our teachers and academic staff according to our core values. Embracing the holistic approach to education that underpins the Huili ethos, empowers our pupils to realise academic excellence and lead a flourishing life. Upholding the ideal of cultivating talent through virtue, kindness and integrity, our leadership team aims to promote high-quality education to more families in Zhejiang and neighbouring areas and to develop well-rounded individuals with strong values and the skills to thrive within an ever-changing world. We are delighted to introduce our academic leadership team to you. 

Kathryn Richardson
Master of Wellington College Hangzhou 

 Ms Kathryn Richardson, Master of Wellington College Hangzhou, has been in Education for 21 years. She taught in London schools, where she quickly progressed into leadership positions. In September 2014, Kathryn moved to Dubai as a Deputy Headteacher in a British curriculum international school., In 2016, she was promoted to the Head of Primary at their newly opened sister school. Kathryn has a bachelor’s degree in Education, specialising in maths and science. In addition to this, she has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management and is a qualified facilitator for the National Qualifications of Middle and Senior Leadership. Kathryn has a passion for school improvement and strongly believes in ensuring every child reaches their true potential. Kathryn has redesigned school curriculums to be creative, personalised to each individual pupil, and provide challenge for all.

 

Sophie Brookes
Head of Early Years and Lower Primary

Sophie completed her Greek and Roman studies BA at the University of Birmingham, UK. Whilst volunteering at a local primary school,, she decided to become a teacher and undertook a PGCE at the University of Exeter in Primary Education with a specialism in the Early Years.

Sophie's passion is the development and education of young children. However, she has a range of experience across the primary age group at teaching and management levels. During her career, Sophie has taught in various settings and in three different countries. After qualifying and spending time learning her craft in the UK, she joined the British International School, Cairo, where she stayed for several years. Upon returning to London, she became Head of Early Years Foundation Stage at Sarum Hall School, a highly respected prep school for girls in London. In 2013 Sophie joined Harrow Beijing as Head of Early Years and has been in China ever since, leading the Primary sections of MIS in Shenzhen and KCS in Chengdu.

Sophie was a teacher moderator for the London Borough of Camden's Early Years team. She has also been an NQT mentor and has written articles about Early Childhood Education for several magazines. Sophie is passionate about child-centred education and the importance of meaningful education for children. She is also interested in Special Educational Needs.
 

Erica Yang
Deputy Head of Early Years 
 

Erica has completed a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education at the New Zealand Tertiary College and obtained a national-level New Zealand teaching certificate. She has been teaching in New Zealand for five years and has worked in leading early childhood centres. She supported the leadership team by training new teachers and actively developing and integrating curriculums. Reggio Emilia’s teaching methods influenced her, especially her philosophy and teaching practice. She believes that every child is a capable, unique and resourceful individual. She is committed to creating a respectful, inclusive and inspiring learning environment for children through trustworthy relationships. From her previous roles, she discovered her warm, responsible, and passionate nature and her sincere love for children of all ages. She cherishes the opportunity to learn with her children as she sees herself as a lifelong learner. As a teacher from a Chinese cultural background, she advocates cultural diversity and strives to foster a positive sense of self-identity in every child. Her overseas experience has also provided her with unique cross-cultural communication skills and the ability to understand, support and assist parents through positive relationships. Erica enjoys working in a team and believes effective leadership starts from understanding, empathy, supporting and mentoring.