THE School

School Senior Team

NEIL CLAYTON

Founding Head/CEO

NEIL CLAYTON

Founding Head/CEO
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Emily Gallagher

Deputy Head

Emily Gallagher

Deputy Head
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Meridith Li

Chinese Principal

Meridith Li

Chinese Principal
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Annabel Smyth

Acting Head of Primary School & Boarding Housemistress

Annabel Smyth

Acting Head of Primary School & Boarding Housemistress
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Neil Clayton

Founding Head/CEO

Mr Clayton has been in Education for over 17 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Animal Biology from The University of Birmingham and trained as a Science teacher at Loughborough University. He moved to Asia in 2014 and has been working in South East Asia and China mainland as Headmaster. Being a motivated and ambitious professional, Mr Clayton is committed to raising standards of excellence for all. In 2022, he was awarded “2022 Forbes China International Education Outstanding Contribution Award”.

Emily Gallagher

Whole school associate Assistant Headteacher

Emily Gallagher have achieved a Bachelor of Music in 2008, she then went on to complete her PGCE at Manchester Metropolitan, followed by a Master’s in Teaching and Learning in 2013. She is continuing her professional development this year, by working towards her National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership, with a focus on assessment and mentoring.

Following nine years of teaching in the UK, she arrived in China five years ago and has worked in a number of leadership positions, including other founding schools. She believes that despite being a new school, a shared mission, clear communication and high levels of teaching will create a feel of a much older school, of which everyone will be proud of. 

Meridith Li

Chinese Principal

Ms Li holds a Master’s degree in Child Development and Education from the University of Oxford and is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Liverpool, UK. In addition, she holds qualifications as a private school headmaster and domestic high school English teacher. She is a member of Peking University’s International School Operation and Senior Management Programme, and has been recognised as a Bilingual Teacher researcher by the China Institute of International Communication.

She has participated in educational research projects in both China and the UK and was named one of the top ten Up and Coming headmasters in international schools by Forbes China. Prior to joining Harrow Nanning, Ms. Li held leadership positions at a leading international school in Suzhou and was responsible for curriculum development at a prestigious bilingual school in Beijing. She has been working in the field of bilingual and international education for many years, during which she has accumulated a wealth of experience in education management and leadership. She also has unique insights into global education trends, standards, and practices.  

Annabel Smyth

Acting Head of Primary School & Boarding Housemistress

After graduating from Essex University in England, Ms. Smyth began her teaching career in the United Kingdom before expanding her horizons to private and international schools in Dubai, Qatar, and China. Known for her keen ability to identify and nurture students’ strengths, Ms. Smyth excels in helping students develop self-confidence. Her deep passion for the performing arts further enriches her teaching approach, bringing a unique and dynamic perspective to the classroom that inspires a love for both academics and creativity.

Tina Quan

Teaching Assistant

Tina graduated from Worcester University. She has over 5 years teaching experience. In Tina’s opinion, teachers should be students’ friends as well as their masters. A teacher is a person knowledgeable also a good sample for students.​