Brian is a well presented, articulate and well-spoken, skilled educationalist , with a unique capacity to connect with both young and old people alike. He is highly motivated with an understanding of the importance of modern educational paradigms with the capacity to inspire and lead. He is passionate about youth and the potential to bring out the best in young people. Indeed, his fundamental
strength relies on getting the best out of those around him.
Significantly, his exposure to the global youth development arena has been quite exceptional. As the Executive Director of Round Square, he was fortunate to visit and explore a significant number and wide range of schools across the globe and to examine curricula and philosophies on a broad and varied level and to engage with young people from diverse, and in some cases challenging backgrounds.
He has a well-developed skill set that includes a high level of strategic analysis and includes sound judgement, critical thinking, complex problem solving and active learning. This is reinforced with excellent management skills, embracing time management, performance management and people management. He also has a high degree of social competence and confidently demonstrate an aptitude for active listening, communication, social perceptiveness, and an understanding and insight into the emotional capacity of young and old alike.
Career History
Educational Consultant – November 2017 – Present
Consultant Head World Environment School Coorg Head January 2017 December 2019
Appointed as operational and academic consultant for $20 Million IB school development project in Karnataka, South West India.
Consultant Mokopane English Combined School January 2018 – Present
Strategic Director with the brief to develop turnaround strategy for under achieving high potential combined South African equivalent of a K- 12 school.
Strategic Advisor – school improvement project for Anglo America Platinum Mines. January 2018 – December 2018
Appointed to articulate improvement plans for14 schools for Heads and teachers and to mentor and support Heads in deep rural environments.
Sagewood School October 2015 — July 2017 Executive Head
Appointed to implement a turnaround strategy for the three schools and to introduce innovative and international strategies and programs.
Warriors Adventure Academy January 2015 — December 2015
Director
Appointed to develop a formalised outdoor adventure curriculum and to recruit members for a GAP year program.
Global Study Pass August 2014 — March 2015
Associate Director
Appointed to recruit international schools to participate in an online learning facility and to engage in an international student exchange program.
Round Square International Schools Association August 2008 — July 2014 Executive Director
I was appointed as the Executive Director to provide the leadership and the vision to grow the membership from 55 to 160 global members and was responsible for successfully directing a small team in the UK from the South African office, which necessitated an effective communication regime and attention to deadlines and detail. This required the ability to generate and implement planning strategies, set and to manage budgets, to adhere to local and international legal compliance standards and to travel regularly to member schools across the globe.
Round Square has a global network of 160 member schools, which subscribe to a common philosophy based on the teachings of the renowned educationalist, Kurt Hahn. Round Square has established links with a number of international welfare organisations including The President’s Award, Free the Children, DOE, Outward Bound and the Save the Children foundation.
Stanford Lake College
January 2003 — July 2008 Principal
I was appointed as the Head of an Independent School (Stanford Lake College) in South Africa for six years and a Deputy for four years prior to taking up the Headship. Recruited as the institution was starting up from scratch, I was an integral part of its development towards its status as without doubt, the leading independent school in the Limpopo province. I was instrumental in the development and implementation of a curriculum embedded outdoor adventure program, which rooted a lasting empathy for the natural environment in its students and complemented the schools commitment to the environmental green flag school status.
Qualifications
- BA HDE (PGCE) University of Natal Durban
- BA Honours Geography University of South Africa
Professional Experience
- Consultant ASIS International Schools Association
- Strategic Director Mokopane English Combined School.
- Executive Head of the Sagewood School October 2015 to August 2017
- Director of the Warriors Adventure Academy 2015
- Associate Director Global Study Pass 2014 to 2015
- Executive Director International Round Square Organisation 2008 to 2014
- Head Stanford Lake College 2003 to 2008
- Board of Directors Unicorn School 2004 to present
- Board of Directors Stanford Lake College 2002 to present
- Board of Directors Round Square 2008 to 2014
Professional Development
- Eight South African Heads of Independent Schools Association (SAHISA) Conferences
- Twelve International Round Square Conferences (Coordinator)
- Round Square International Service Projects : Kenya 2010, Cambodia 2011
- Thinking Skills training 2014, 2015, 2016
Interests
My personal interests include sport (ruby and cricket), family, wild life, outdoors, travel, technology, cooking and music.
Personal details
Married (1983) to Angela
Children: Warrick (28) Andrew (25), Hayley (23)
Outlook
I have a passion for the upliftment of youth and the provision of dignity with a prolific career in education and youth development. I have been very fortunate to visit and interact with many, many young people, schools and institutions across the world and believe in the purpose of education for a better world.
Education, I believe, is in part about the end product – producing young men and young women able to make a meaningful contribution to society and to safeguard the natural environment; preferably as self-sufficient work generators, not work seekers, and certainly where possible, able to benefit from higher education, and to lead fulfilling and productive lives. To achieve this, we need schools that inspire curiosity, creativity, an entrepreneurial spirit and compassion in its pupils. Schools that enrich the learners with the enjoyment and understanding of their particular linguistic, environmental and cultural heritage. Schools that empower the pupils with the knowledge, courage, skills and independence of mind that will make them effective and responsible citizens, and potential leaders, of the world they will inherit.