The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
City has been like breath of fresh air
International School head loves his job and was happy to leave behind smoggy Shanghai in favour of north-east
Nick Little takes a deep breath each morning, relishing how fresh and clear the air is.
His routine may seem a little odd, but the head teacher lived in China for 20 years, where high levels of air pollution can create suffocating smog.
He returned to the UK just over a year ago, to take up a new role as head of school at the International School Aberdeen (ISA).
He is a firm believer in the benefits of an international curriculum, and hopes parents may consider the school alongside their zoned and fellow independent schools.
ISA was once exclusively used by expatriate children, whose families were based in Aberdeen due to work in the oil and gas industry.
Nick, who is originally from Watford, believes the school has rapidly diversified in recent years, and more than 40% of its pupils are now local rather than expatriate.
Students begin to trickle into school at around 8am, with ISA taking children from aged three to 18.
“I worked in an international school just outside Shanghai, before deciding to come back to the UK,” said Nick.
“I’m passionate about an international education, but there aren’t that many international schools in the UK.
“A role became available in Aberdeen so we moved to the north-east.
“I’ve actually found the transition quite smooth, it has been much easier then I thought. Every morning I take a deep breath because the air is so fresh and clear here.
“The pace of life is calmer and not as hectic, it’s been a fantastic experience so far.”
Nick combines teaching with other duties, and is hoping to raise the school’s profile.
“We have 470 pupils and I love the variety that the job brings,” he said.
“Every day is different and I’m doing something I believe in. It is an enormous privilege to educate the next generation, because you are shaping what society will become.
“I think an international curriculum is more relevant than ever.
“Local issues such as what we can do to help the environment is actually a problem on a global scale.
“Our vision is to help each child become a global citizen, as well as a good worker.
“We know that 25% of people living in Aberdeen come from outside the UK, meaning we have an international community.
“My own children have attended both a state school and an international school, so we’ve experienced both systems.
“The qualification that students leave with is highly regarded in universities both in the UK and around the world.
“To be able to prepare pupils is very rewarding, I can honestly say I love what I do.”