T
he International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme is not just a career path
for Gillian Ashworth; she believes in it passionately. She has a deep-rooted
understanding of its core and strongly believes in its values and virtue as an
academic program with the potential to train future world citizens. “IB looks at
a student’s development holistically…” say Gillian. Her professional devotion and
diverse expertise in implementing the IB programme in four continents makes her
the ideal person to develop and implement it in the middle and diploma years at
Keystone.
“People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their
ancestors,” said Edmund Burke about innovation. Gillian is this anchor; she roots
the Keystone dream in standards, values and fundamentals ensuring both tradition
and transformation. And her nose for details will ensure the successful fruition of
the Keystone mission. As Head of High School, Gillian bears the responsibility of
molding and nurturing future global citizens. Her down-to-earth and grounded
nature and humble demeanor mask the importance of the responsibility she bears.
In this interview, Gillian explains the history, merits and uniqueness of the IB
programme.
Q:
Your prior experience as a Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator and Head of
Secondary in International Baccalaureate (IB) schools forms part of over 25 years of
teaching and leadership experience in Africa, India, South America, Eastern Europe and your
home country, the UK. What made you decide to come to Beijing to join the Keystone team?
A:
I think several things. I have been really lucky. It has been a fantastic voyage for me. I would not change
any of it if I could go back and do my career again. One thing that I have really enjoyed throughout my
career, in particular, is the opportunity to take on new challenges and do new things. I have never been part of
setting up a new school. That in itself was a fabulous opportunity. I like immersing myself in different places in
the world. I have loved every place that I have lived. I have never been to China before coming to Keystone. And
of course it is a really dynamic, influential country and an exciting place to be at the moment. So the opportunity
to come to China as well was a major factor.
I am an IB person. I said that I would not consider a school that is not an IB school, so setting up the IB
programme from scratch here is an interesting challenge. To make a difference in implementing those
programmes, and doing it effectively in the specific context of China is exciting. These factors all came together
and made this a really good move. I am very, very excited for myself and my career at this point.
www.keystoneacademy.cn
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