WASHK Spotlight: Meet John Williams, Deputy Head of Senior School
The launch of Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong’s Senior School marks an important milestone for our community. As our first cohort of students step into IGCSE and A-Level study, strong leadership is essential to set the right foundations — not just for academic success, but also for preparing students for the demands of university and life beyond.
At the centre of this effort is John Williams, our new Deputy Head (Academic). With over 22 years in education and more than eight years in senior leadership, John has led schools in the UK, Kenya, Malaysia, Russia, and China. He has guided the development of new school start-ups, mentors new teachers through his work with the University of Buckingham, and most recently earned the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).
Q: Can you tell us about your background and what led you into education?
Williams: I’ve been teaching for 22 years. I started in London and then moved on to Kenya, where I was Head of Science, followed by senior leadership roles in Malaysia, Russia, and China before coming to Hong Kong. What drew me into education in the first place was understanding how students think. I come from an academic background, and using data to support students’ learning has always been something I find incredibly valuable.
Q: How do you see your international experience shaping your role here?
Williams: Having worked in so many different countries, I’ve seen how students learn in different cultural contexts. My focus here at WASHK is to take the best of those approaches and help students become more holistic learners. Yes, exams are important, but we also need to prepare students for university — particularly for the independence, critical thinking, and adaptability that will be required.
