Senior Leadership Team

SARAH RAFFRAY

BA Latin and English (Hons),
University of Manchester,
MA Literature and Modernity, PGCE,
University of Salford

Executive Principal

The Executive Principal at King’s College International School Bangkok, Sarah graduated from the University of Manchester with a BA in Latin and English (Hons) before gaining her PGCE and an MA in literature from the University of Salford. She has over 30 years of experience in education, including eleven years as Headteacher.

Prior to joining King’s Bangkok, Sarah was the Headteacher of St Augustine’s Priory in Ealing for eleven years, leading the school through a transformational time. She has held numerous leadership positions, including Chair of the Society of Heads in 2021-2022 and serving as a Governor at several schools. She has worked as an inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and is involved in several national committees for education in the UK, including the Independent Schools Council. Sarah’s expertise and experience in education make her a highly respected figure in the community. She has a strong presence as a voice for the educational sector across all media platforms, reflecting on digital responsibility and corporate accountability.

As a mother of two boys aged 20 and 13, the younger of whom attends King’s Bangkok, Sarah is excited about working with the King’s community as it continues to flourish. She believes that a culture which proclaims that a great heart takes you further can help pupils take a prominent place in shaping a better world for everyone.

WILLIAM FORSE

BSc (Hons) Mathematics,
University of Southampton PGCE,
Canterbury Christ Church University, MA,
University College London

Headmaster

William is an experienced educator, having completed his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Southampton and his Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Canterbury Christ Church University. He also holds a master's degree in educational leadership from University College London.

Before joining King's Bangkok, William taught Mathematics at Guildford High School, the Sunday Times South East Independent School of the Decade. During his time at Guildford High School, he held the position of Head of Sixth Form and played a crucial role in pastoral care, academic monitoring, and university counselling. Following this, he joined King's College School, Wimbledon, where he served on the senior leadership team and was in charge of the admissions and marketing departments, as well as teaching Mathematics and coaching rugby and football teams.

William believes in the value of a well-rounded education and has a passion for creating a culture of high expectations across all areas of school life. He is a firm believer that every pupil has the potential for greatness, given the right support and opportunities. His vision for King's Bangkok is to create a school community that emphasises academic excellence, as well as sports, music, and drama.

William is joined by his wife Lucy, who is a Design and Technology teacher and former fashion designer, and their young daughter, Ottilie, who is also keen to join King's Bangkok in the near future. The school is excited to have him as its new headmaster and looks forward to his leadership and contributions to the school community.

MATTHEW GIBSON

BSc Biochemistry, PGCE
King's College London

Deputy Head (Senior School)

Matthew graduated in 2005 with a degree in Biochemistry and later completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at King’s College London. He joined King’s College School, Wimbledon in September 2011, tutoring students and teaching Chemistry. Matthew was a key leader at King’s Wimbledon where he was the Head of Kingsley House, responsible for the academic development and pastoral welfare of the Senior School's pupils. In this role, he helped students from their entry into the Senior School, through the difficult process of choosing GCSE, A level and university options, to life beyond school. As well as this, Matthew coached rugby, football and cricket and was extensively involved in the school’s community partnerships programme. Matthew has been with King’s Bangkok since January 2021 implementing the ethos of King’s College School, Wimbledon, its sister school, in order to lead King’s Bangkok to be one of the best schools in Asia.

HELEN SEARLE

BA (hons), PGCE and
MBA in Educational Management

Head of Primary School

After her degree at Hull University in South East Asian Studies and Malay, Helen went on to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Early Years and Primary Education. She then taught in Luton for two years, where she was responsible for Geography and developing the outdoor environment. After this, Helen moved to Kuwait, where she completed an MBA in Educational Management through Leicester University, and qualified as an inspector of schools. She held senior posts in three large British schools which included Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher of primary (nursery to year 6) and finally Headteacher of Pre-prep (in charge of 800 children) at Kuwait English School, where she spent 14 years.

RAJ LADVA

BSc Psychology
PGCE Early Years
NPQ Middle Leadership

Head of Early Years

Raj is highly experienced in Early Years and Key Stage 1 education and is passionate about making a difference to young people. He is experienced in developing curricula and leading pre-prep schools both in Thailand and the UK. Raj joined our Senior Leadership Team from a British international school where he was one of the leaders of curriculum and learning. He has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a PGCE in Primary (ages 3–7) and an NPQ in Middle Leadership.

SCOTT MOORE

BSc (Hons) Physical
Education, Sports Science
and Mathematics
PGCE and PGDE

Director of Studies

Scott has worked at schools in seven countries around the world and has spent over 20 years teaching Mathematics and Physical Education, heading departments in both subjects in a number of schools, as well as taking on the roles of Deputy Head of Sixth Form, House Activities Coordinator and Head of Secondary School. Having formed part of three Senior Leadership Teams, and taught IGCSE, A Level and IB, Scott has a deep understanding of what it takes to lead a school to its full potential, focusing on both the Academic and Co-Curricular sides of education.

Scott returned to his studies in 2020, obtaining a PGDE in International Education to be able to further consider and integrate the surrounding culture of the countries in which he works, to understand unique issues relating to international schools specifically, and how to best offer an international curriculum. Furthermore, as a recreational musician and athlete, he recognises the importance of balance in a student's life.

With this knowledge, his leadership experience and drive, Scott is ready to apply what he has learnt to his new and exciting role as King's Bangkok's Director of Studies.

JORDAN ANDERSON

BA in Social and Political Science,
University of Cambridge, PGCE and
MBA in Business Administration

Head of Teaching and Learning

Jordan graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA in Social and Political Science before obtaining his PGCE in Education and MBA in Business and Administration. This unique combination of educational and business expertise enables him to approach teaching and learning from a holistic perspective.

Jordan has over 10 years of experience working in schools across various countries, both in the UK and internationally. During this time, he has taught English, Drama, English Language Arts (ELA), and Literacy. He has also held positions in departments of English, as well as taking on the roles of Deputy Coordinator of English, Coordinator of Sixth Form, Head of English and Literacy, and Director of Teaching and Learning.

With a passion for education, dedication to professional development, and a proven track record of excellence in teaching and leadership. Jordan is set to embark on his new role as the Head of Teaching and Learning at King's Bangkok. He will work closely with the Headmaster and other esteemed members of the Senior Leadership Team to ensure that academic and pastoral policies at King’s Bangkok will be consistently outstanding.

SIMONE O'CONNOR

BEd (Hons) in Physical Education
and PSHE

Director of Co-Curricular

Simone has over 20 years' experience in teaching Physical Education around the world (in Peru, the UK, and Thailand), alongside a lifelong love and passion for sports in general. She has competed professionally in Cricket, Triathalon, Running and Squash. She spends her free time travelling and immersing herself in different cultures while pushing herself physically and mentally, with a focus on movement (trekking and mountaineering) and mindfulness.

After obtaining her BEd in Physical Education and PSHE, Simone took on roles as Assistant Head and Head of both academic and core PE and Games at multiple schools, Head of Year, Head of Activities and Teacher of Mindfulness. She has always been involved in co-curricular and extracurricular areas, leading residential International Award trips, FOBISIA competitions, sports tours and general outdoor education trips in her early career. More recently, she has at least 5 years of experience in directly developing a well-rounded ECA programme, including House Competitions, liaising with external providers, a number of departments and the local community; and coordinating over 75 activities for older students.

Now, at King's Bangkok, as Director of Co-Curricular, Simone aims to provide a wide range of activities to encourage our students to become more well-rounded, shine brighter and go further.

CHRISTOPHER BRANCH

BSc Physical Education and Geography (QTS)

Director of Safeguarding

Christopher graduated from Brunel University in 2001 with a BSc (Hons) in Physical Education and Geography with Qualified Teacher Status. More recently, he has completed the NPQSL and a postgraduate certificate in coaching and mentoring. Christopher joined King’s College International School Bangkok in 2021 as Head of Alverstone House. Prior to joining King’s Bangkok, he was Director of Sport and a pastoral leader at schools in the UK, UAE, and Australia.

He is passionate about safeguarding and working for the best outcomes for students and has been a designated safeguarding lead in the UK and Asia. Christopher has enjoyed developing the network of safeguarding professionals in Bangkok and is proud to lead this area at King’s Bangkok.

Christopher has two sons who both attend King’s Bangkok and is delighted that his family is part of such a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community.

JEROME MARSHALL

BA (Hons), PGCE,
MA Educational Leadership and Management

Deputy Head of Primary School

With 15 years of teaching experience, a PGCE in Primary Education and an MA in Educational Leadership and Management under his belt, Jerome joins King's Bangkok as Deputy Head of Primary. He has previously worked as a KS2 Leader and Teacher, specifically coordinating Science and Enrichment, before moving onto an Assistant Head of Primary Curriculum and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the past three years. In these roles in the UK and Thailand, he was tasked with re-modelling whole school curricula to ensure that it best fit an international context while also laying the foundation for students' education in Senior School and beyond. Having worked in a Senior Leadership Team before, he understands how to direct a school and coordinate with every department and member of staff to bring the best out of each student.

Jerome is delighted to be joining King’s Bangkok, a school dedicated to holistic education through its shared focus on academic excellence, pastoral care and a strong co-curricular programme; three things he is equally passionate about.

ALYS LEIGHTON-RAHMAN

BSc in Psychology
PGCE specialising in Early Years

Deputy Head of Early Years

Alys is a dedicated educator who, after working as Head of Reception since King’s Bangkok opened its doors in 2020, has taken up the position of Deputy Head of Early Years. Before moving to King’s Bangkok, Alys taught Pre-Prep in an innovative Prep school in London taking a key role in developing the play-based curriculum and pastoral experiences for all the children in the school. Before this, she held roles teaching in Key Stage 2 and delivering Speech and Language interventions within the NHS. Alys holds a BSc in Psychology, a PGCE specialising in Early Years, and is currently studying for a National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership.