Senior Leadership

Martin Davis

Head of School

Academic Qualifications:

MSc in Education (University of Bristol), Units in Leading and Managing change/Assessment in Schools/Creativity in the Curriculum / Quality and Improvement in Education / Contemporary Perspective on Learning BEd Hons 2:1 Primary Years (Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education)

Martin Davis, age 52, British.

His undergraduate degree was received from Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education where he studied for four years in order to graduate as a Bachelor of Education with Honours. His postgraduate studies were taken at the University of Bristol where he was awarded a Master of Science in Education with merit His initial career was working for four years as a teacher in the British state system (1995-1999). This was followed by a move to Kenya where he worked in a British international school on the edge of the Rift Valley (1999-2003). It was here that he took up his first leadership post as Deputy Head.

On returning to the UK, he took up a position as Deputy Head of a renowned private/independent school in the West Country (2003-2016). It was during this time that he became an inspector of schools for the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). In 2017 he took up a Headship at Monkton Combe Prep School where he served on the Executive Leadership Team for three and a half years.

In 2022 he took up a position as Deputy Head (Primary) at King Henry VIII College in Malaysia where he has been instrumental in leading the school into the next phase of its development.

Darren Brady

Head of Primary

Country of Origin:	United Kingdom
Academic Qualifications:	B.Ed Primary Education University of Gloucestershire N.P.Q.H

Darren holds a degree in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status, complemented by a National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). He began his teaching career in the United Kingdom, where he taught for six years before relocating to the Czech Republic to pursue international education and to enable his children to learn Czech.

Since then, Darren has served in senior leadership and Head of Primary roles in Egypt, Russia, Papua New Guinea, and Germany. These diverse experiences have shaped his commitment to inclusive, pupil-centred learning and maintaining high academic standards within a nurturing and globally minded environment.

James O’Donnell

Deputy, Head of Academic

Country of Origin:	United Kingdom
Academic Qualifications:	MA Education-University of Bath PGCE with QTS-University of Bedfordshire BA (Hons) History-Nottingham Trent University

James holds a degree in History and a PGCE, complemented by a recent Masters in Education from Bath University. His teaching career began in the UK, where he taught for four years before moving to China to serve as Head of Year at Dulwich College Suzhou.

Following this, he spent five years as Head of Year at Dulwich College Singapore. James then transitioned to Malaysia, taking on the role of Deputy Head (Curriculum) at POWIS Primary in Penang. For the past two years, he has been the Phase Lead and PYP Coordinator in Budapest, bringing a wealth of international experience and educational leadership to his current position.

Joanna Williams

Deputy, Head of Pastoral

Academic Qualifications:

PG Certificate (Master) Teaching and Learning, University of Wales Trinity St David, Swansea Diploma in Performance Coaching, Open University BA (Hons) QTS, Oxford Brookes University

Joanna Williams graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a BA (HONS) QTS.She is currently completing her Masters in education with Trinity St Davids University in South Wales.

Joanna has over 20 years experience in education and has taught across all 4 Key Stages. In previous employment, Joanna has carried out a number of management roles including Primary English Lead and Assessment Coordinator. She has worked closely with universities to mentor trainee teachers and support newly qualified teachers. In KH8, Joanna is currently the EYFS Lead teaching the Nursery class.

Dr. Tracy M. Ghomashchian

Head of Senior School

Academic Qualifications:

National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) Awarded Fellowship Status (FCCT) with The Chartered College of Teaching Doctorate in Education (PhD) - A Study of Concerns, Use, and Professional Development Needs of Teachers and School Leaders when Integrating One-to-One Models of Learning with a Computer within International Schools Post Graduate Certificate in Educational Management & Leadership (PGCert.) Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDip.)

Dr. Tracy graduated from the University of Dundee, Scotland and holds a Doctorate in Education. She has 15 years of experience in education, and is an accomplished senior school leader having worked with high-achieving International and UK Independent Schools. With a UK National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and Post Graduate Diplomas in both Education and Educational Leadership from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, she brings a strong educational background, experience, and a passion for education. Dr. Tracy is recognised for her expertise, holding Fellowship Status (FCCT) with The Chartered College of Teaching, UK. Known for her visible presence and commitment to equality, excellence, and high expectations, she fosters a collaborative approach with the wider school community. In her role at King Henry VIII College, Malaysia, as the Head of Senior School, she prioritises outstanding academic standards and student outcomes.

Timothy Alexander Hall

Deputy, Head of Academic

Country of Origin:	United Kingdom
Academic Qualifications:	IPCSL (International Professional Certificate in School Leadership) University College London - Ongoing) NPQSL (National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders) Edge Hill University, England (online) Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Drama and English, Griffith University, Australia (S1 Teacher rating)

Timothy Alexander Hall graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Education in English and Drama. He recently completed his IPCSL with the University College London following his NPQSL qualification, both in Educational Leadership. He brings a wealth of teaching and leadership experience having taught in several premium independent schools throughout England, Hong Kong, and Australia. Throughout his career he has assumed many distinguished roles including Head of Seniors, Head of Sixth Form, Director of Drama, Head of House and CCA Coordinator. He is a highly experienced leader, a passionate advocate of the Arts and a firm believer in holistic education

Tom Lemon

Deputy, Head of Pastoral

Country of Origin:	United Kingdom
Academic Qualifications:	BA in Physical Education with QTS, University of Bedfordshire in 2008

Tom began his teaching career at a boy's grammar school in Essex. He has since taught and held departmental and pastoral leadership roles in private and international schools in the UK and Hong Kong and is currently Head of Senior School Wellbeing at Wellington College International Bangkok. Pastoral care has always been his passion, and he believes that all progress, learning, results and general happiness come from building positive relationships with others.

He focuses on the development of kindness, resilience and courage in staff and pupils, understanding that things will, and should, go wrong but that there is, more often than not, a way to make it better. He is looking forward to meeting all members of our community and Deputy Head, Pastoral & Boarding playing a part in helping pupils at KH8 thrive.

He will be joined in Malaysia by his wife, Tor, and their two young daughters.