Tristan Weston
Mantin,Select State
Summary
A strategic senior leader with 30 years’ experience in UK and international schools, currently in an award-winning boarding school (twice International Boarding School of the Year). Expert in pastoral systems, behaviour management, and DSL-level safeguarding. Completed "Getting Ready for ISI Inspections" course. Proven success under Ofsted, CIS, and COBIS. Seeks Assistant Head (Pastoral) & DSL role to embed restorative practice, lead boarding wellbeing, and ensure statutory compliance.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Headteacher
KTJ
Mantin
08.2022 - Current
- Strategic & System Leadership: Led the school’s highly successful CIS accreditation process. Provided strategic oversight for English, and improved student engagement and academic performance.
- Curriculum & CPD Leadership: Designed and delivered 16 whole-school and secondary CPD sessions for 119 teachers, based on institutional priorities and research-informed pedagogy. This directly improved teaching strategies and contributed to a rise in Value Added scores.
- People Development: Acted as Lead Facilitator for the COBIS Middle Leaders Programme. Coordinated the IPGCE programme with Warwick and Nottingham universities, achieving a 100% pass rate. Established, staffed, and strategically led the ECF programme.
- Performance Management: Led the performance management cycle for the secondary school, driving a marked improvement in teaching quality, as observed by CIS and Tom Sherrington.
Head of English and Drama (DSL)
Nord Anglia British School
Tashkent
08.2018 - 07.2022
- Safeguarding Excellence: As DSL, I established a new auditing system for safeguarding records, which was singled out as ‘outstanding’ during COBIS accreditation.
- Attainment: Led the English department to a 15% rise in A*-A grades at GCSE and a 19% rise at A-Level through curriculum redesign, and focused teaching and learning programmes.
- Pastoral Innovation: Designed a new whole-school pastoral curriculum, leading to a 25% reduction in behavioural incidents, and a 20% improvement in student wellbeing scores.
- Inclusive Practice: Partnered with the SENDCO to develop inclusive teaching strategies, increasing SEND access to the top-tier curriculum by 15%.
Assistant Headteacher Pastoral (DSL)
Tibshelf Community School
Derbyshire
08.2015 - 07.2018
- Safeguarding Leadership: Held ultimate responsibility as DSL, managing complex cases, and liaising with multi-agency partners to foster a proactive safeguarding culture.
- Lead on induction of new colleagues: supply teachers, support staff and student teachers as necessary.
- Oversaw pastoral care initiatives: improving student well-being and support systems within the school environment.
- Chaired meetings with parents and teachers :to discuss student progress and address concerns.
- Performance Management: Implemented a robust performance management cycle for 10 departments, using lesson observations and data to create personalised development plans.
Teacher Trainer and Oversees School Link
Tibshelf School/National English High School
Derbyshire, United Kingdom
08.2014 - 07.2015
- System Leadership and CPD: Designed and delivered accredited CPD for over 100 UK and Indian colleagues on pedagogical leadership, and active learning strategies.
- International Project Management: Played a key role in a humanitarian school-rebuilding initiative in Sri Lanka. Contributed to project management, fundraising, and on-the-ground coordination with local teams, resulting in the construction of two new schools.
- Strategic CPD Leadership and Pedagogical Development: Designed and delivered accredited, large-scale CPD for over 100 educators across international contexts on pedagogical leadership, active learning strategies, directly improving teaching practices, and cross-cultural instructional coherence.
- Curriculum Development & Integration: Advised school leadership teams on strategically integrating core themes such as educational equity, student engagement, and community involvement.
- Specialist English and Inclusive Pedagogy: Led the development and delivery of specialised training for English teachers on EAL pedagogy, enhancing classroom support for multilingual learners.
Senior Leadership Team: Pupil Progress Coordinator
Tibshelf Community School
Derbyshire
08.2005 - 07.2014
- Whole-School Pastoral System Implementation: Designed and implemented a new whole-school pastoral care system incorporating mindfulness and restorative practice, which contributed to a 15% reduction in behavioural incidents and improved student wellbeing metrics.
- Literacy Strategy Leadership: As English Lead, elevated literacy standards by implementing a targeted, research-informed reading strategy aligned with the National Curriculum, boosting reading ages by 10% in Years 7 and 8 within one academic year.
- Multi-Agency Safeguarding Coordination: Acted as the primary point of contact and coordinator for multi-agency teams—including Social Services, Educational Psychologists, and CAMHS—ensuring a coherent, effective approach to safeguarding and tailored support for vulnerable pupils.
- University liason and teacher development: Coordinated the PGCE programme between Sheffield University and the school, acting as the key liaison to align university-led training with in-school teaching practice, and ensure seamless programme delivery.
Head of English Department
Tibshelf Community School
Derbyshire, United Kingdom
08.1998 - 07.2005
- Coaching & Performance Leadership: Transformed departmental performance by introducing a rigorous, data-driven coaching model, directly linking staff development to student outcomes. This systemic approach resulted in 90% of teachers meeting or exceeding progress targets within two cycles, building a culture of high expectations and accountability.
- Strategic Intervention and Attainment: Designed and led a centralised, data-informed intervention strategy that proactively identified and supported students at risk. This initiative reduced the attainment gap by 18% and increased GCSE pass rates (Grade 4 and above) by 12%.
- Literacy Across the Curriculum: Established and chaired a cross-curricular literacy working group that standardised academic writing, feedback policies, and practices. This raised the quality and consistency of written outcomes across core subjects.
English Teacher
De Lisle RC School
Leicestershire, United Kingdom
08.1997 - 07.1998
- Curriculum Delivery & Measurable Outcomes: Delivered a rigorous English curriculum that secured measurable progress, with 80% of my Key Stage 3 students meeting or exceeding their annual reading age targets.
- Diagnostic Intervention & Impact: Implemented targeted, assessment-led interventions for underperforming students, achieving a 25% reduction in pupils working below age-related expectations within one academic year through precise, responsive support.
Education
Certified CPML trainer - Leadership
COBIS
London, United Kingdom2024
PGCE - English
Loughborough University
Loughborough, United Kingdom1997
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Wales
Wales, United Kingdom1996
Skills
- Strategic Curriculum Leadership: Expertise in designing, adapting and leading inclusive, research-informed English curricula for diverse and SEND learners, fostering interdisciplinary and intercultural connectivity
- National System Leadership: Proven experience in strategic, large-scale educational leadership, acting as a Lead Facilitator for the COBIS Middle Leader Programme, and running training for NPQML/NPQSL candidates to build capacity across institutions
- Data-Informed Quality Assurance: Proficient in analysing assessment and progress data to drive strategic planning, lead data dialogues, and implement targeted interventions that secure improved outcomes
- Coaching & Instructional Leadership: Skilled in driving quality through lesson observations, book scrutinies, and planning reviews, supported by a qualified coaching approach to mentor staff and embed consistent, high-quality practice
- Safeguarding and Therapeutic Practice: A deeply experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with a track record of outstanding judgements, expertise in promoting student wellbeing through robust systems, and restorative practices to create psychologically safe environments
- Inclusive English and Literacy Pedagogy: Expert knowledge of inclusive, research-informed English and literacy pedagogy, including EAL and reading strategies, to improve life chances, confidence, and communication for all learners
- Pedagogical Excellence: Demonstrated commitment to high-quality, engaging and effective teaching and learning that raises attainment and transforms student engagement
References
Mrs Sarah Chesworth
Head of Secondary School KTJ
Contact: sarahchesworth@ktj.edu.my
Dr Glenn Moodie
Principal of KTJ
Contact: glennmoodie@ktj.edu.my
Dr Andre Nel
Principal of the Nord Anglia School Tashkent
Contact: andre.nel@britishschool.uz
Timeline
Assistant Headteacher
KTJ
08.2022 - Current
Head of English and Drama (DSL)
Nord Anglia British School
08.2018 - 07.2022
Assistant Headteacher Pastoral (DSL)
Tibshelf Community School
08.2015 - 07.2018
Teacher Trainer and Oversees School Link
Tibshelf School/National English High School
08.2014 - 07.2015
Senior Leadership Team: Pupil Progress Coordinator
Tibshelf Community School
08.2005 - 07.2014
Head of English Department
Tibshelf Community School
08.1998 - 07.2005
English Teacher
De Lisle RC School
08.1997 - 07.1998
Certified CPML trainer - Leadership
COBIS
PGCE - English
Loughborough University
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Wales