Getting to Know Jared Nolan, Our New Head of School

As CIS welcomes Jared Nolan as our new Head of School, we sat down with him to learn more about his journey, his approach to education, and what he's looking forward to as he joins our community.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm originally from Wales, and sport has always played a big part in my life. I've always valued being active, working as part of a team and pushing myself to keep improving, whether that was through playing rugby professionally or challenging myself through running, cycling and climbing mountains.

Those experiences have helped shape who I am. I value hard work, resilience and being part of something bigger than myself. I'm looking forward to getting to know the CIS community, building relationships, and being part of a school where people support one another, challenge one another to be better, and take pride in what we achieve.

What was it about CIS that stood out to you?

What made me say yes to this opportunity? It was really the combination of the place, the school and the challenge.

Over the course of my career, I've been fortunate to lead schools in the UK, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and most recently a boarding school in Switzerland. Every school, every community and every context has been different, and each has taught me something new about leadership, about people and about myself.

Singapore is an exceptional place to work as an educator, and Canadian International School has an outstanding 35-year legacy of providing a high-quality education. That combination really stood out to me. I saw a school with a strong foundation, real potential and a clear opportunity to build on that success.

I also felt this was a place where my leadership experience and relentless drive for improvement could add real value. I believe strongly in the life-lifting power of high-quality education, and I felt CIS offered me the opportunity to amplify that impact for students, families and the wider community.

"We now live in a world where answers are becoming free, but good judgement is becoming priceless."

How do you think education is changing?

Globally, education is at an incredibly important transition point. We now live in a world where answers are becoming free, but good judgement is becoming priceless.

For centuries, education was built around access to information because books, experts and knowledge were scarce. Today, information has never been easier to access. However, finding what matters, making sound decisions when the answer is unclear and applying knowledge wisely have become more important than ever.

That's why I believe the future of education is not a choice between knowledge and experience, but a combination of both. Knowledge helps us understand what is possible. Experience helps us understand how to use and apply that knowledge with wisdom.

At CIS, we have a wonderful opportunity to develop a modern, vibrant educational philosophy that combines strong core learning with curiosity, creativity and care. Learning will be ambitious and engaging, but also highly intentional. Students will develop essential knowledge and skills while growing in confidence, character and judgement. At its best, education prepares every learner not just for the next stage of school, but for the wider world beyond it, and that's what I want for every student in our care.

As you begin at CIS, what are your priorities?

Taking on a new school in a new country takes a special kind of leadership. I see too many school leaders trying to change schools to suit their own way of leading. International schools such as CIS are unique combinations of culture, community, curriculum and legacy, and leading that complexity means first understanding it from the inside.

My priority during my first year is to understand and build on the many good things already happening at CIS while strengthening consistency, clarity and confidence across the whole school community. I want to establish high standards in teaching, learning, assessment, behaviour and care so that every child experiences the quality of education they need to thrive, regardless of year group, classroom or need.

Above all, I want to build a culture of attention to detail, academic ambition and genuine care. I want every student to feel known, valued and safe, and to leave CIS well prepared for the next stage of their education and life beyond school.

What are you looking forward to most?

I'm looking forward to experiencing Singapore's energy, diversity and sense of purpose. Coming from the Swiss Alps, I've grown to value an environment that is well balanced, high quality and deeply connected to its surroundings, so the idea of moving to the Garden City is genuinely exciting.

What also struck me is the similarity between Switzerland and Singapore. Both value efficiency, excellence and, most importantly, education. There is a shared understanding that education is central to opportunity, progress and long-term success, and that's something I really admire.

I'm also looking forward to becoming part of the everyday life of the school. I place a great deal of value on relationships, listening carefully and building trust through consistent communication and follow-through. 

You'll see me visiting classrooms, attending school events and taking every opportunity to connect with students, families and staff. I want parents to know not just the role I hold, but the person behind it. I hope they see someone who is approachable, committed and deeply focused on the academic success, wellbeing and lived experience of every child at CIS.

And on a lighter note, I'm very much looking forward to the food and to discovering what it's like to run in constant humidity!

Finally, tell us something about yourself that people might not know.

I have six adult children: five boys and one girl. Between them, they're two teachers, a firefighter, an economist, a mechanical engineer and an environmental engineer.

They're all independent and successful now, but it's safe to say life was very busy while they were growing up, which is why the phrase "First up, best fed!" became popular in our household. Thankfully, everyone survived, and we can all laugh about it now.

Please join us in giving Jared a very warm CIS welcome. We look forward to the next chapter of our journey together under his leadership.