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Surval is delighted to be welcoming Tim Smale as our new Vice Principal from September 2019.
Mr Smale brings fifteen years of experience to Surval, having worked in the UK and internationally. Most recently he worked at Brighton College in Abu Dhabi as the Head of Sixth Form and has overseen the graduation of the College’s first four cohorts of Year 13 A Level pupils. In this time, the Sixth Form has come to be known for its international vibrancy, academic success and university destinations, as well as for the number of opportunities available to the pupils. Prior to working in Abu Dhabi, Mr Smale worked at Dulwich College in Seoul, where he was the Head of Faculty for the Humanities.
Before moving to Seoul, Mr Smale worked at St Joan of Arc RC School, working as the Assistant Director of Sixth Form and the Head of History, supporting pupils with university applications and leading the History team to ‘Outstanding’ judgements. Finally, Mr Smale was also at Tring School where he was a teacher of History and the Literacy Coordinator.
Mr Smale has a Masters in Education, awarded with a Distinction, from St Mary’s University College in Twickenham, and is a Law and History graduate from Keele University.
Of his new role, Mr Smale says, “I feel incredibly fortunate to be moving to Surval. Having met pupils and teachers alike, I am excited to be working in an innovative and committed community and would like to thank Mrs Woodhouse for this opportunity. I am incredibly passionate about education and helping others realise their own potential, something I will certainly bring with me to Surval.”
Mr Smale’s past experience and determination to develop a community built around the principle of collective efficacy has ensured that he is focused on teaching and learning as well as providing opportunities for pupils. “Having worked in some truly inspirational schools, I have always had the opportunity to work with staff to explore new areas within the field of education. This has developed my own practice, as I have learned a huge amount from pupils and staff alike. We should always see ourselves as learners to ensure that we can empathise with our pupils and continue developing what we do in the classroom.”
Mr Smale is a proud husband and father and has a ten-month-old daughter, Zoe. He also loves rock climbing, having climbed regularly with the female world champion, Kim Ja-In in South Korea, paddle boarding (where sadly he can’t make any claims of paddling with anyone famous) and keeping fit.
Mrs Woodhouse is delighted that Mr Smale is joining us: “I am very much looking forward to working with Mr Smale as we take the school forward together in its future developments. Mr Smale is clearly very excited to be taking on the role of Vice-Principal here, and comes with impressive expertise and skills to impart and share. He and his family are equally thrilled at the prospect of their new life in Switzerland and we are looking forward to their being part of our special community.”