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 mainland 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 mainland 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. 

Q: What are your main responsibilities as Deputy Head of Senior School? 

Williams: My key responsibility is the academic programme, making sure our students achieve the best possible results by the end of their courses. But it’s not just about results. I spend a lot of time meeting students one-to-one, talking to them about their goals and aspirations, and then working with our teachers to tailor support so those goals can be reached. 

Q: What innovations or initiatives are you most excited about this year? 

Williams: This year we’re introducing Curriculum.com, which is an online platform that brings everything together in one place. Students can access practice questions and track their progress, while parents will receive monthly reports showing whether their child is meeting targets. If not, we put interventions in place straight away. For example, we run evening study sessions where students can get one-to-one help with specific subjects. 

Q: How do you help students manage the balance between academics and wellbeing? 

Williams: One of the most stressful things for students is having all their exams crammed into a short period. Normally, Year 12 students would face up to 25 exams in four weeks, which can feel very overwhelming. Here, we spread the exams over two years, so students sit two or three exams each term. This reduces stress and helps them prepare better for university, where assessments are spread out across modules. 

Q: What role do co-curricular activities play in the Senior School? 

Williams: They’re vital. If students are safe and happy in school, their academics will always improve. That’s why we place such importance on sport and wellbeing. Beyond that, we have strong STEAM and entrepreneurship programmes. These help students learn teamwork, leadership, and creativity, which are the kind of skills they’ll need at university and in the future. 

Q: How do you support teachers in delivering high-quality learning? 

Williams: We have a very experienced teaching team, and leadership supports them with regular observations and professional development. We also look at how technology, including AI, can make teaching more efficient. For example, we integrate the use of Curriculum.com to help with marking so teachers have more time to focus on students who need extra support. 

Q: How do you see parents’ role in supporting their children? 

Williams: Parents are key partners. We currently use systems like iSAMS to record data and share information, but we also believe in direct communication. Homeroom teachers are in touch with parents weekly, and we plan to expand this with phone calls and workshops. We also have an open-door policy and warmly welcome any parents who would like to come in and observe lessons. 

Q: Finally, what message would you like to share with families considering WASHK’s Senior School? 

Williams: The most important thing is for parents to understand what IGCSEs and A-Levels involve. It’s a big commitment, but one that opens up incredible opportunities. That’s why we’ll be running workshops to help families understand how best to support their children. At WASHK, we see this as a three-way system — recognizing the importance of having students, teachers, and parents working together to help every child succeed. 

Looking Ahead 

Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong is proud to welcome John Williams to our Senior School leadership team. His international experience, strategic insight, and commitment to personalised learning will help shape a Senior School that stands apart in Hong Kong. 

This is more than the start of a new academic stage — it is the beginning of a journey that will see students challenged, supported, and inspired to achieve their very best. With Mr. Williams’ leadership, our first Senior School cohort will not only prepare for top universities worldwide, but also lay the foundations of a culture of ambition, resilience, and achievement that future generations will inherit. 

We are excited to grow our Senior School with Mr. Williams and empower students to become confident, adaptable individuals ready to make their mark on the world.