Allan Cairns is Principal at the College. His role encompasses the oversight of the Academic policies within the College, as well as ensuring that behaviour and conduct is well managed. Curriculum management and the oversight of the quality of teaching and learning within the College are also key parts of his role.
He studied Modern History at the University of St Andrews, and then completed a PGCE in Secondary History at the University of Gloucestershire. Before coming to the College, Allan enjoyed ten years’ state school teaching experience, serving as both head of department and faculty. Allan has also enjoyed pastoral leadership, having been Head of GCSE and Director of Studies at the College before his promotion to Vice Principal (Academic), which he undertook for three years before being promoted to Principal.
A committed, experienced and innovative teacher and senior leader, his achievements include a consistently impressive range of department results in GCSE and A Level, modernisation and reorganisation of curricula, and leading on whole school initiatives at the College such as Timetabling, Teaching and Learning, Quality of Assessment, Marking and Feedback, Whole School results analysis, and SEN provision.
Allan has delivered numerous teacher continuing professional development sessions, both in the UK and internationally, and mentored both NQTs and more experienced staff in four schools to an excellent standard. During his time in the profession he has organised international school partnerships in India, helped to lead a month-long excursion trekking through the jungles of Malaysia and Borneo, climbed a 5,200 metre high mountain whilst leading the first College overseas expedition to China and transformed a History corridor into a replica First World War Trench.
Allan teaches History at the College, and is dedicated to ensuring that academic quality across all subjects consistently meets the high standards which we set for ourselves. He also leads the College's Running Club and Law/Politics pathway, whilst coaching the football team, West London Independent College league winners in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017.