how we teach

Chris Short is an accomplished international educational leader with over 30 years of experience across three continents. His career spans a diverse range of roles, from leading schools to delivering transformative educational projects that have shaped student outcomes and bolstered school communities globally.

Born in London, Chris has lived and worked in Kenya, Sierra Leone, Venezuela, Australia, Dubai, Ascension Island, Vietnam, Singapore, China, and most recently India. He attended Gordonstoun School in Scotland and earned his degree and teaching qualifications from St Mary’s College, then part of the University of Surrey.

Chris has been part of the Nord Anglia Education family for over a decade. He was the founding Head of Secondary at the British International School in Hanoi, Vietnam, and later served as Principal of Dover Court International School, where he led the school through a period of rapid development and success. Under his leadership, Dover Court became one of the most highly regarded schools in the Nord Anglia network.

Following his time in Singapore, Chris moved to Shanghai and then to India, where he served as Managing Director for Nord Anglia Education, supporting strategic development and the leadership teams of five Oakridge International Schools.

A proud husband and father of two children (and one well-travelled dog), Chris enjoys scuba diving and the occasional round of golf.

He is delighted to be back in Singapore and at Dover Court, where he continues to champion excellence in teaching and learning, fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment for all students.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-short-39042636

Originally from South Wales, Dave started his teaching career in Worcestershire, England, before taking a role at a large international school in Bangkok. He became Vice Principal of a Hong Kong primary school in 2011, where he led a range of curriculum, pedagogical, and pastoral improvement projects/p>

Dave joined Dover Court in 2022. Alongside his position here, Dave chairs accreditation visits for the Council of International Schools. He has also presented at international conferences both in Hong Kong and Singapore, and has led numerous International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) workshops.;

Dave is passionate about creating an innovative and positive school environment, where learning and wellbeing go hand in hand. He works collaboratively with colleagues and communities to emphasise the importance of human connections, relationships, and belonging.

Away from school, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, as well as playing and watching sport. Dave and his family love living in Singapore and are particularly fond of walking in nature.

Before joining us, Russell worked in top schools in Uruguay, Egypt, and China, followed by 12 years at a thriving international school in Hong Kong. Russell is Head of Year, International Primary Curriculum Leader, and Whole School Leader for Curriculum Innovation.

Russell strongly believes in developing a culture where all learners feel valued, respected, and have a voice. He also emphasises the importance of conceptual learning, where students take what they learn and apply it across new experiences and contexts. Russell is passionate about curriculum development, too, and is a qualified concept-based curriculum and instruction trainer.

In his spare time, Russell enjoys hiking and supporting his children’s sporting and musical hobbies. Russell loves immersing himself in new cultures, foods, and local history, too. He also has a keen interest in photography.

Luna has taught and led teams of educators in a number of different schools and across age phases in the UK, Singapore, Malaysia and The Bahamas. She joins us from another school in Singapore, where she was Principal and she is delighted to be joining the team at Dover Court.

Luna has a keen interest in learning languages and finding out about new cultures and foods. She also loves to encourage and engage in creativity. She has led a number of different clubs, activities and excursions including overseas trips, multilingual singing, website design, TV production and batik painting.

Tamara Bell brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as Deputy Head of Primary at Dover Court International School. With a strong background in senior leadership, safeguarding, pastoral care and culturally responsive practice, Tamara has over 24 years of experience in teaching and school leadership in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Qatar.

Tamara holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master's Degree in Education, specialising in second language acquisition from the University of Canterbury. She is also a trained PENTA school inspector with BSO-British Schools Overseas.

Passionate about improving the quality of teaching and learning and providing an engaging and meaningful education for all students, Tamara is dedicated to ensuring that every child matters and enjoys success at school. She is committed to inclusion, continuous improvement and takes a proactive approach to enhance the educational experience for all students.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Tamara is married with three children. She has a keen interest in traveling and exploring different cultures and has visited over 40 countries. She is an avid netball, rugby and rugby league fan and supports The mighty All Blacks and the Brisbane Broncos. In her leisure time, she enjoys swimming, walks, reading and listening to podcasts.

Originally from South Wales, Rachel began her teaching career in Widnes, England, before embarking on an international journey at a British school in Brunei. In 2001, Rachel joined one of the founding FOBISIA schools in Penang, Malaysia.

Her senior leadership career began in Taipei, Taiwan, where, as Assistant Head, she focused on student wellbeing and pastoral care. In 2011, Rachel was appointed Deputy Head and later Head of Secondary at a British school in Jakarta.

Rachel joins Dover Court from an international school in Beijing, where she served as Head of Senior School for three years. Throughout her career, Rachel has led a range of curriculum and wellbeing innovations. She’s determined to provide world-class learning experiences and support for all students, and develop a positive, collaborative school culture.

Outside of school, Rachel has two sons. She enjoys travel, reading, and photography, and relishes the opportunities provided by our diverse, multicultural community.

After gaining her PGCE (Secondary) in Citizenship from London Metropolitan University, Carla taught in Hackney, London, before taking on leadership roles within the school’s humanities department.

Working with students from a diverse range of backgrounds, as well as those with challenging social, emotional, and behavioural needs, fostered a love of inclusive education. Carla is passionate about supporting every child to achieve their full potential. She also extols the virtues of student advocacy, global citizenship, and intercultural learning.

Carla joined us in 2011, attracted to Dover Court because of our blend of inclusivity, high levels of support, and drive to achieve academic excellence. She’s been a member of the school’s leadership team since 2017, and a key force behind our outstanding growth.

In her spare time, Carla loves to explore new places. Since moving to Singapore, she’s travelled extensively, learnt to scuba dive, and sought out regional cuisines, taking courses in Indian, Cambodian, Thai, and Vietnamese cooking.

Jacqueline graduated from Loughborough University with a BSc (Hons) in Geography, Physical Education and Sports Science, before completing a PGCE in Physical Education at the University of Brighton.

After qualifying, Jacqueline taught PE and dance in schools across London, before a passion for pastoral care took her into a Head of Year role. Teaching and supporting students from diverse backgrounds, often with complex social, emotional and behavioural needs, sparked Jacqueline’s enthusiasm for and interest in holistic wellbeing.

Jacqueline moved to Spain in 2010, where she held middle and senior leadership roles at one of Valencia’s top British schools. She was subsequently appointed Co-Headteacher, with responsibility for pastoral care and support. This role brought her own educational philosophy into focus: that emotional wellbeing and strong student-teacher relationships underpin academic progress and success.

Having spent over a decade in Spain, where she completed her National Professional Qualification for Headship, Jacqueline joined us here at Dover Court.

Outside of school, Jacqueline enjoys getting active, whether that’s through HIIT workouts, spinning, stand-up paddle boarding, or hiking with her family. She’s also a keen baker and traveller.

Adam read Medical Sciences at the University of Birmingham, England, before completing his PGCE in Education, specialising in Chemistry.

Adam joined Dover Court from a school in England, where he was Head of Biology and Head of House. Adam also taught at an international college in the UK for four years, where he assumed a variety of roles, including Senior UCAS Medics Tutor and Enrichment Coordinator for Science and Engineering.

Adam is a firm believer in the value of learning beyond the classroom. He loves nothing more than organising an enriching school trip, and has previously led educational tours to Iceland, Malawi, and the Galapagos Islands.

Aside from science, Adam’s great passion is coaching rugby. He currently coaches the school staff team, which is extremely popular among our teachers. Adam also enjoys wakeboarding and surfing.

Before joining Dover Court in 2019, David was Deputy Principal at a fully inclusive, high performing secondary school in East Sussex, England. Prior to this, he spent 16 years at an Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ school in Kent.

David has significant experience leading on priority areas, including child protection and safeguarding, pastoral care and wellbeing, staff development, and curriculum planning. He also has a wealth of knowledge in how best to support students with additional educational needs.

Committed to his own professional development, David has a Master’s in Leadership, a Specialist Leader of Education qualification, and is a coach for the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leaders.

David is passionate about supporting every young person to fulfil their potential. Alongside his commitment to inclusion, David is enthusiastic about global citizenship. He has led several international school trips, including to Switzerland, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, and France.

Away from school, David enjoys playing a variety of sports and getting active. His love of the outdoors is shared by his wife and three young children.