I was brought up in the North of England in a town called York and had a wonderful childhood with a close-knit family, including three brothers. I graduated from Bishop Grosseteste College, Lincoln with a degree in education. After spending my first few years as a teacher in the Lincoln area I was offered a position at the British International School in New York. It was here that I had my first experience with the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme and also where I met the woman that is now my wife.

Working within an IB education is central to who I am and this was recognised when I was selected to be part of the International Baccalaureate Educator Network in March 2014. This training allowed me to visit IB schools around the world and both authorise and verify their implementation of the programmes. I believe that the IB provides a fantastic framework for all stakeholders within a school and gives an opportunity for everyone to learn about who they are and the world around them. In particular, it is essential that students are equipped with the skills they need to thrive in a community and use these to to make significant contributions. In today's world, perhaps more than ever, an IB education is needed not least because it fosters students who approach things with an open mind, intercultural understanding and respect.

My international education adventures took me to Italy before eventually settling back into New York life with Dwight School. I found myself attracted to the school by both the mission and vision as well as their three pillars: Personalised Learning, Global Vision and Community. Ensuring that a school is committed to promoting and engaging a students Spark of Genius, and focusing on the holistic development of our learners, resonated with me and has become central to my own philosophy of education. After seven years at Dwight New York, most recently as an Assistant Principal, I was delighted to accept the position of Upper School Principal at Dwight London.

It is great to be in London and I am looking forward to exploring all of the delights that the city has to offer with my young family. I am excited to be part of the community of Dwight School London and be in a position to continue to ensure the School is collaborative, joyful and a constant hive of activity.

After I had successfully completed my degree, I started my first teaching role in Devon, England. Here I taught across all age ranges, and I was responsible for various areas of the curriculum including: Art, ICT, Science, Special Needs and Technology. Following my role in Devon, I took part in the Fulbright Exchange Program. This involved exchanging my role in a Primary School in England for a teaching role in a school in Colorado, USA. I really enjoyed teaching in a Colorado Kindergarten School for a year. I met lots of different people from many different backgrounds, and this was my first true experience with international education. When I returned to the UK, I successfully applied for a role as an Advisory Teacher. My remit was to support head teachers and their schools with budgeting, planning, teaching and learning using ICT.

I was still intrigued by international education, and I applied to become a teacher in a British School in Texas, USA. At this school, I drew on my many experiences and successfully applied to be the Head of Middle School and later the Head of Junior School. I was bitten by the international education bug and applied to a large, well established school in South East Asia. For two years I was a part of the Curriculum Leadership Team of that school. After having many intercontinental experiences, I believed I had the necessary skills to work in and lead my own international school and applied for my current post in September 2007. I was excited when I found out that I had become the Junior School Principal at Dwight School London. I had applied for my current position because I really believed I could have a positive affect on every child’s education. Since joining I have seen many positive changes across our school. It gives me a great deal of pride when I talk to people about Dwight School London being a wonderful, successful international school.

Born and raised in Perthshire, I had the great privilege of exploring the Scottish countryside as a child, instilling a love of curiosity and the outdoors. After reading English Literature at the University of York, I then followed that with a MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in 20th Century Theatre, from the University of London. My interest in the relationship between the written word and performance inevitably led me to train as an English and Drama teacher, in schools in London and then in Suffolk.

In 2012, I joined the British International School of Boston, and gained my first experience of the International Baccalaureate, spearheading the inaugural theatre programme. The experience instilled in me a love of international education and the vibrant dynamism that the IB curriculum can offer. After a brief stint working at an EdTech start-up, I joined Dwight School London, firstly as the Subject Leader of English Language and Literature, before becoming the Diploma Coordinator in September 2019. During this time, under my leadership of the DP, the school became the leading international school in the UK for DP results, as well as being ranked in the top 100 schools globally.

In September 2022, I had the great privilege of taking on the role of Senior School Principal; in this role, it is a real pleasure to lead a group of world-class educators, who are firmly committed to the values and principles of an IB Education. I firmly believe, having taught a variety of different curriculums, from AP, iGCSE to A Level, that an IB education is the preeminent foundation for any young person to thrive and achieve in the flux of our modern world. Within Dwight, I believe that every student should have the opportunity to follow their ambitions and dreams, igniting their spark of genius; I also believe that education should not be confined to the classroom and constantly look to broker bonds between the communities of the other global Dwight schools.

Outside the classroom, I have a diverse range of interests, ranging from contemporary poetry, 1940s swing dancing to the beguiling game of cricket. I am also a keen marathon runner, having completed the Berlin, Boston and London marathons. Although I am looking to continue my international marathon travels in the years to come, I am very committed to the dynamic education offered at Dwight School London.

Susan Meadows is the Business Operations Director at Dwight School London, where she plays a pivotal role in ensuring smooth and efficient operations across the school and oversees the development and implementation of strategic financial plans, working closely with the school's leadership team to optimise resources and support academic excellence.

She is an experienced business executive who has worked in a commercial environment throughout most of her career before moving into education 7 years ago as a result of her voluntary work with young people. After graduating in business studies in Manchester she qualified as an accountant and chartered company secretary. She has broad financial and compliance experience in both small and large companies and has worked extensively alongside non-financial executives providing commercial, governance and corporate strategic support.

Susan is proficient in German and has qualifications from the Goethe Institut London and also the Chartered Institute of Housing as part of the work she did setting up Tenant Reward schemes with Social Housing Landlords.

When she is not busy working she enjoys reading, arts and crafts and throughout her life has carried out voluntary work with several charitable organisations.