Ian Ellston

I'm originally from Plymouth in Devon, in the UK, where I completed my education at 16 and started work for the Ministry of Defence. I attended night school to further advance my education, finally leaving the MOD in 1990 to go to The College of St Mark and St John in Plymouth. Then a college of Exeter University. I read a BEd(Hons) in Design and Technology [Secondary (KS3, 4 and 5)], and have since taken courses to teach Primary KS1 and 2.    My first teaching position was in London where I spent many happy years in the East End. Moving for career Development I became HOD at a school in West London, before moving to Bristol. I commuted to Gloucester to perhaps one of the most successful all girls school in the region, and was a pilot teacher for the A Level in Product Design. It was here that my pastoral interests were raised, with my first Head of House position.   A move to Boarding School as a House Parent and Head of Design, cemented my pastoral interests in "Just what makes our students tick".   Finally I moved overseas in 2004 to teach IB Design Technology, first in Thailand, IGCSE and IB. Next was in the UAE SL and HL, US Curriculum and IB and now in Malaysia a full IB World School delivering MYP, SL and HL. For 15 years I have been the Head of the Senior Class and or Head of Design. Other roles have been as CAS Coordinator and mentoring new teachers in Design Technology.   I became a workshop leader for the IB a number of years ago, and have been involved away from workshops in producing exemplar material for the current syllabus at SL and HL, and am a member of the Curriculum Review Committee creating the new syllabus. I am also approved by the IB as a Reader for documentation.   Away from the IB in school, I have always been involved in Drama Productions with set design and build, and as Master of Ceremonies for many major school events.   Away from school, I very much enjoy travel, good food and fine wine. I spend my summers in the USA, returning at Christmas for skiing. I enjoy live theatre and a wide range of music. I am a Freeman and Liveryman of The City of London.