John Wilson
Ayr,UK
Summary
Impact-driven policy and advocacy educator with a decade of experience in education leadership and community engagement. Expertise in translating research into actionable outcomes, fostering alliances among diverse stakeholders, and achieving measurable results. Proficient in stakeholder mapping, consultation responses, and effective communication. Committed to promoting access to nature and inclusive participation in community initiatives.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
2007
2007
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Head of Humanities Faculty
Al Ain British Academy
Al Ain
08.2022 - 07.2025
- Policy & research: Produced evidence-informed faculty improvement plans and concise briefing notes for senior leadership, aligning curriculum, assessment and quality assurance with inspection frameworks.
- Advocacy & communications: Authored position notes, presentations and stakeholder updates for multi-school initiatives (e.g., Model United Nations, Young ADIPEC), communicating complex issues clearly to varied audiences.
- Stakeholder engagement: Built and maintained strategic relationships across the school, parents/carers, local education bodies and industry partners; coordinated permissions, logistics and safeguarding for external programmes.
- Monitoring & evaluation: Led academic tracking and impact reviews; synthesised data into actionable recommendations that sustained high IGCSE and A-Level outcomes.
- Results: Established repeatable enrichment pathways and cross-school collaboration that increased participation and strengthened community relationships.
Head of Secondary
CIS St Petersburg, Russia
St Petersburg
08.2021 - 07.2022
- Directed strategic curriculum planning and performance management across departments; authored and implemented procedures that improved consistency and transparency.
- Represented the school with universities and civic institutions, broadening access and opportunity; presented at stakeholder meetings and events.
- Oversaw the events calendar (graduations, showcases, guest speakers) and aligned messaging with organisational aims and values.
- Monitored attainment and engagement metrics; delivered termly reports with recommendations to leadership and governors.
Humanities & English Teacher; Global Perspectives Lead
CIS St Petersburg, Russia
St Petersburg
08.2019 - 08.2021
- Designed and delivered research-led curricula (KS3–A Level), coaching students in enquiry methods, critical analysis and policy-style writing (briefings, position statements, debates).
- Produced high-quality resources and assessments; shared best practice and supported colleagues to adopt evidence-informed approaches.
- Led community-facing projects and events that built understanding and participation among parents and local partners.
Humanities & English Teacher; Global Perspectives Deployment Lead
CIS Skolkovo, Moscow
Moscow
08.2017 - 07.2019
- Led the campus-wide deployment of IGCSE Global Perspectives, coordinating across departments to embed project-based learning and structured enquiry.
- Facilitated student-led investigations into social and environmental issues culminating in public presentations to school and community audiences.
History & Humanities Teacher (Acting Subject Lead)
Keith Grammar School, Aberdeenshire, UK
Aberdeenshire
08.2016 - 07.2017
- Managed core department functions (curriculum, assessment, improvement planning) and contributed to whole-school policy initiatives.
- Initiated enrichment (e.g., school football, wellbeing activities) that strengthened community engagement.
Transition Project Manager
Royal Mail, Sheffield, UK
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
07.2008 - 07.2011
- Led cross-functional operational change to improve efficiency, safety and engagement; delivered KPI targets and supported policy/procedure updates.
- Produced progress reports and briefing materials; coordinated training and implementation with stakeholders across business units.
Education
NPQSL (International) - Educational Leadership
Best Practice Network
M.Ed. (Professional Practice) - Education
University of Strathclyde
Glasgow 08.2019 - 06.2021
PGDE (Secondary – History) - Teaching
University of Strathclyde
Glasgow, Glasgow City /2015 - /2016
MA (Hons) - English & Contemporary European Studies
University of Dundee
Dundee, Dundee CitySkills
- Resilient under pressure
- Diplomatic approach
- Outreach initiatives development
- Time-Sensitive decision making
- Coalition building
- Event planning and execution
- Cross cultural communication
- Technical and complex communication
Additional Information
Languages: English (native); French/Russian (conversational); German (basic)
References
Available on request.
Accomplishments
- Built a stakeholder coalition spanning schools, parents, education bodies and industry to deliver community engagement programmes; established new partnerships and sustained year-on-year participation.
- Produced evidence-based briefings adopted by senior leaders, resulting in targeted interventions and improved outcomes at key stages.
- Developed and promoted links with charities and outreach programmes such as with Pavlovsk State Orphanage (St Petersburg).
- Coordinated multi-school Model United Nations participation; authored delegate position notes and created a sustainable pipeline for youth voice and civic literacy.
- Managed permissions, risk and safeguarding for Young ADIPEC and World Scholars Cup delegations; strengthened cross-sector links and raised organisational profile.
Affiliations
- Safeguarding; Data Protection & Information Governance; Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI).
- Professional networks (education/policy).
- Volunteering related to conservation, access and community engagement.
Publications
- Mr Wilson’s History Resources & Musings — gcsehistorycisstpetersburg.school.blog
- TES Author Shop — tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/kangri
Additional information
- IT: MS Office/365, SharePoint, Teams, Forms; basic data analysis (Excel); CRM familiarity
- Right to work: UK
- Driving licence: Full, clean (if applicable)
Certification
QTS
GTCS Member
CCFT
Timeline
Head of Humanities Faculty
Al Ain British Academy
08.2022 - 07.2025
Head of Secondary
CIS St Petersburg, Russia
08.2021 - 07.2022
M.Ed. (Professional Practice) - Education
University of Strathclyde
08.2019 - 06.2021
Humanities & English Teacher; Global Perspectives Lead
CIS St Petersburg, Russia
08.2019 - 08.2021
Humanities & English Teacher; Global Perspectives Deployment Lead
CIS Skolkovo, Moscow
08.2017 - 07.2019
History & Humanities Teacher (Acting Subject Lead)
Keith Grammar School, Aberdeenshire, UK
08.2016 - 07.2017
Transition Project Manager
Royal Mail, Sheffield, UK
07.2008 - 07.2011
NPQSL (International) - Educational Leadership
Best Practice Network
PGDE (Secondary – History) - Teaching
University of Strathclyde
/2015 - /2016
MA (Hons) - English & Contemporary European Studies
University of Dundee
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