CAL TELFER
Wareham,Northumberland
Summary
A dynamic and visionary IB Leader with a Philosophy-centered academic background and over 10 years of experience delivering the IBDP Core across elite international schools in Prague, Hong Kong, and Beijing. Expert in the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) framework, achieving a 100% student pass rate throughout my career. Proven track record in course writing, staff mentorship and leadership, and digital pedagogy. Specialist in integrating latest technologies, including Virtual Reality and online interactive materials, to transform the ToK Exhibition into a high-profile, whole-school event.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Leader of Learning (English)
Academy21 (Inspired Education)
02.2025 - 08.2025
- Directing digital curriculum delivery within the Kings InterHigh sister school environment.
- Designing bespoke online materials (PowerPoints, interactive tasks) optimized for virtual engagement.
ToK Co-ordinator / IBDP Teacher
Riverside School
Prague
01.2019 - 08.2022
- Strategic Leadership: Headed the ToK department, achieving a 100% pass rate for all cohorts.
- Curriculum Design: Produced a comprehensive ToK guide for staff, students, and parents, clarifying assessment frameworks and study requirements.
- Innovation: Designed and launched the first whole-school ToK Exhibition, using interactive digital platforms to showcase student inquiry.
- Quality Assurance: Led internal moderation for essays and exhibitions, ensuring total alignment with IBO standards.
Head of English Language Acquisition
Durham University International Study Centre
09.2017 - 12.2018
- Management: Led a team of 20 tutors and coordinated 560 international students.
- Strategy: Evaluated programme outcomes to identify improvements, reporting directly to senior leadership.
IBDP Teacher & Head of Tang House (Senior School)
Renaissance College
Hong Kong
08.2012 - 08.2017
- ToK Instruction: Delivered high-impact ToK lessons for five years with a 100% pass rate.
- Interdisciplinary Coordination: Worked with faculty heads to identify ToK "touchpoints" within individual subjects (Language A, Science, Arts).
- Leadership: Managed pastoral and academic performance for the Senior School house; mentored staff on IB Approaches to Teaching (ATT).
- EE and CAS Supervision: Directed Extended Essay workflows and CAS record keeping for students.
IB Teacher & Head of Owens House (Senior School)
Dulwich College International
Beijing
08.2007 - 06.2012
- ToK Delivery: Two years of dedicated ToK teaching, fostering international-mindedness through epistemological inquiry.
- Administrative Oversight: Managed assessment documentation and scheduling for IB Core components; ToK, EE and CAS.
- Leadership Impact: Led a team of tutors and coordinated large-scale enrichment activities to raise the profile of the IB within the community.
Education
BA (Hons) - Humanities (English & Philosophy)
University of Teesside
UKPGCE - Secondary English
University of Sunderland
UKBusiness Management Diploma -
Bristol University
UKTeam Leader Certification -
IBDP English Language and Literature
Certified Teacher Trainer -
Cambridge University Press
Skills
- IB Leadership
- ToK Coordination
- EE Supervision
- HPQ/EPQ Coordination
- Curriculum Innovation
- Digital Pedagogy
- Quality Assurance
- IBDP Exam Team Leader
- Internal Moderation
- Standardization Specialist
- Administration of IBDP Coursework
- Leadership
- Managing Large Teams
- ECT Mentoring
- Cross-Faculty Collaboration
- Digital curriculum delivery
- Curriculum design
- Team management
- Academic supervision
- Mentoring staff
- Problem-solving
Custom Section
- ToK Co-ordinator / IBDP Teacher, Riverside School, Prague, Prague, 2019-01-01, 2022-08-31, Headed the ToK department, achieving a 100% pass rate for all cohorts., Produced a comprehensive ToK guide for staff, students, and parents, clarifying assessment frameworks and study requirements., Designed and launched the first whole-school ToK Exhibition, using interactive digital platforms to showcase student inquiry., Led internal moderation for essays and exhibitions, ensuring total alignment with IBO standards.
- IBDP Teacher & Head of Tang House (Senior School), Renaissance College, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2012-08-01, 2017-08-31, Delivered high-impact ToK lessons for five years with a 100% pass rate., Worked with faculty heads to identify ToK 'touchpoints' within individual subjects (Language A, Science, Arts)., Managed pastoral and academic performance for the Senior School house; mentored staff on IB Approaches to Teaching (ATT)., Directed Extended Essay workflows and CAS record keeping for students.
- IB Teacher & Head of Owens House (Senior School), Dulwich College International, Beijing, Beijing, 2007-08-01, 2012-06-30, Two years of dedicated ToK teaching, fostering international-mindedness through epistemological inquiry., Managed assessment documentation and scheduling for IB Core components; ToK, EE and CAS., Led a team of tutors and coordinated large-scale enrichment activities to raise the profile of the IB within the community.
Timeline
Leader of Learning (English)
Academy21 (Inspired Education)
02.2025 - 08.2025
ToK Co-ordinator / IBDP Teacher
Riverside School
01.2019 - 08.2022
Head of English Language Acquisition
Durham University International Study Centre
09.2017 - 12.2018
IBDP Teacher & Head of Tang House (Senior School)
Renaissance College
08.2012 - 08.2017
IB Teacher & Head of Owens House (Senior School)
Dulwich College International
08.2007 - 06.2012
BA (Hons) - Humanities (English & Philosophy)
University of Teesside
PGCE - Secondary English
University of Sunderland
Business Management Diploma -
Bristol University
Team Leader Certification -
IBDP English Language and Literature
Certified Teacher Trainer -
Cambridge University Press