New Principal & Stronger Pathways – NAIS Pudong Exciting New Era

With a new Principal stepping into the role this August and an expanded academic offering that includes AP courses and GPA pathways alongside the IB Diploma, Nord Anglia International School Shanghai, Pudong (NAIS Pudong) is entering an exciting new chapter.

We sat down with the incoming Principal, Mr. Richard Thompson, to discuss his journey, the school’s direction, and what this means for families considering their options in Shanghai.

You’ve been part of NAIS Pudong for several years—what does stepping into the role of Principal mean to you personally?

It’s a tremendous privilege. Having been part of the school community as Head of Primary and Early Years for the last four years, I’ve been fortunate to work closely with students, families, and teachers across our community.

What makes this upcoming role especially meaningful is that I already understand what makes NAIS Pudong such a special place—our sense of community, our commitment to every individual child, and the relationships we build with our families.

Stepping into the role of Principal allows me to continue this work, whilst shaping the next phase of our school’s development.

At a time when many international schools in Shanghai are going through significant change, how does NAIS Pudong provide confidence and continuity for families?

Continuity is incredibly important for families when choosing a school. As both a Nord Anglia Education school, and the oldest British international school in China, we’re in a strong position: our leadership and teaching teams are stable, our vision is vividly clear, and our community is well established.

As an internal appointment, I bring a secure understanding of NAIS Pudong’s community and journey to date. I am also deeply invested in the school’s shared vision and its commitment to meeting students’ evolving needs, preparing each of them for their futures ahead.

Families know our team, they understand our approach, and they trust that their insights and feedback will be valued and taken seriously.

NAIS Pudong already has a strong IB Diploma Program—what inspired the introduction of AP courses and GPA pathways?

We’re incredibly proud of our IB Diploma results—for example, last year’s average IB result of 37, and this route will remain a key part of our offering. However, one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to education.

What we’ve seen—both globally and here in Shanghai—is an increase in the number of families seeking flexibility. Individual students have different strengths, different ambitions, and different university destinations.

By introducing AP courses, an accredited High School Diploma, and GPA transcripts alongside the IB, we will now be offering a more personalized approach, further supporting and enabling a wider range of learner aspirations and profiles.

For families considering their options, how does this combination of IB, AP and High School Diploma benefit students and their university pathways?

Quite simply, it gives students greater choice and increased opportunities.

For example, students aiming for US universities often benefit from AP courses and GPA transcripts, as these are very familiar to admissions teams. Others may prefer the structure and breadth of the IB Diploma.

At NAIS Pudong, students can follow a pathway that aligns with their goals—whether that’s a particular university, country, or even a specialist degree.

It’s about opening more doors and making sure each student is prepared fully for what comes next.

Many schools talk about personalized learning—what does that genuinely look like at NAIS Pudong?

For us, it starts with knowing every student as an individual.

Our teachers take the time to understand each student’s strengths, interests and aspirations. From there, we guide them in making the right academic choices and support them throughout their journey.

With our expanded pathways, personalization becomes even more meaningful and more impactful.

Students aren’t trying to fit into a single system—instead, the pathway is built around their individual strengths, interests and aspirations.

This is where we see students really thrive.

What kind of environment can students and families expect at NAIS Pudong, both academically and beyond the classroom?

We’re a school that combines high academic expectations by enabling accelerated individual progress. At the heart of this success lies a genuinely supportive environment.

Students are challenged and inspired in the classroom, but they’re also encouraged to explore their interests, build confidence, and develop as individuals.

Wellbeing is a priority for us, because we know students learn best when they feel happy, safe and supported.

For families, this is evidenced through a strong sense of community. It’s a warm and welcoming environment where parents feel connected and involved, and where every single student is cared for.

For families currently exploring schools in Shanghai, why is now the right time to consider NAIS Pudong?

This is a really exciting moment for the school.

We have the stability of an established, trusted community, combined with a clear vision for the future. Our expanded academic pathways mean that we can now offer greater flexibility than ever before, whilst still maintaining the high standards families expect.

For parents, it means you don’t have to choose between academic excellence and a personalized approach—you can have both.

And ultimately, that allows your child to create a pathway that’s right for them and their future.

Source: ThatsShanghai