Meet Ian Clayton From French International School Hong Kong

We continue the Little Steps Talking Heads series, where parents can meet, greet, and get tips from Hong Kong’s Heads of Schools! Get personal with these fabulous personalities and find out what makes them tick, their advice for parents navigating the schooling scene, and their favourite things about life in the city.

In this edition, we say hello to Ian Clayton, Headmaster of the International Stream of the French International School Hong Kong.

Founded over 50 years ago, the French International School (FIS) is one of the first international schools established in Hong Kong. The school welcomes more than 2,600 students from Kindergarten to Senior Secondary, representing 40 different nationalities, across 4 campuses in Happy Valley, Jardine’s Lookout, Chai Wan and Hung Hom. In 2018, the school will open a new campus in Tseung Kwan O. FIS offers 2 different curricula: the International stream follows the English curriculum leading to IGCSE and IB examinations; the French stream follows the French curriculum leading to the Brevet and French Baccalaureat qualifications. Since its creation, FIS has made language learning one of its priorities and almost all of its students are bilingual or trilingual by the time they graduate.

ABOUT IAN:

1. Do you have a nickname? I don’t think I have a nickname in my current post. When I was in Manila, some of the students called me ‘fluffy’ on account of my big hair (well it was several years ago)!

2. Where were you born and where did you grow up? I was born in a small provincial town in the north of England. I grew up there too. I can remember a few aspects of growing up, I was always out playing football in the winter and cricket in the summer. It was a safe time to grow up, there was little traffic so we played in the street, there was no such thing as stranger danger so we just played until it got dark. We came home and our parents moaned about us being muddy, we had a quick bath and that was it. There was no organised sports until we got much older, so we learnt how to play very naturally and freely. It was a great time to be growing up!

3. Where do you live in the city and why do you love it there? We live in Tin Hau very close to Victoria Park which is great for the kids. The area around is great too with a massive variety of small local independent restaurants which we like to frequent. We are really brilliantly served by the transport hubs here too.

4. What's in your lunchbox? I don’t have a lunchbox! However when I eat lunch, I eat it at the school canteen. I always have salad and lots of pieces of baguette with butter. Delicieux!

IAN'S BACKGROUND:

1. What or who inspired you to become a headmaster? I am not sure anyone inspired me, and I never set out to be one. If I look back to when I first started teaching I was happy to get through the day unscathed! Being a head teacher seemed a million miles away. As I moved through the ranks I began to enjoy being part of important decisions that were made, but not losing touch with teaching which is why I came into the profession - to teach students, or help them learn. I have worked for some inspirational leaders however, one in particular was exceptional and I often use him as a template in my head. What would he do in a particular circumstance? He still remains my ‘go to’ person when I need key advice! He lives and works thousands of miles away now. The delights of technology!

2. Describe your school in 5 words or less! Talented, unique, hopeful, fascinating, complex!

HIS FAVORITE THINGS:

1. What's your favorite thing on your desk and why? I have a container of chocolates and sweets (usually, though not exclusively, reserved for guests!) - do I need to explain?!

2. What are your 3 favorite children's books? The Story Of The Little Mole who knew it was none of his business by Erlbruch and Holzwarth is a brilliant piece of social satire! I read this in a whole school assembly once and got into trouble! Ouch. The Weirdstone of Brisingamen by Alan Garner is amazingly evocative, scary, and suspenseful. This was read to me by my primary school teacher back in the day and when I read it now I can be transported back to exactly how I felt when I first heard it. The power of literature! The final one would have to be Winnie the Pooh books by AA Milne, anyone who can produce the line ‘a fly can’t bird, but a bird can fly’ has my vote!

IAN'S ADVICE:

1. What is the best way for parents to be involved in their children’s education? Simply as everyone will advise: be involved and be interested. However, some words of warning. Firstly, they must not expect school to be like it was when they were at school. Things have mercifully moved on. Secondly, there are many traps to fall in to. Don’t be a helicopter parent - hovering ready to swoop in at the slightest problem. Children have to fall, fail and foul up - it’s all good. Try not to be a snow plough parent - clearing the path ahead for their little dears. It really helps no one. Don’t be a velcro parent - you have to let go eventually, I’m afraid. The point is that there is no perfect answer and there is no manual to get you through. However children have to make mistakes - just make sure you are there and supportive but let them sort out their mistakes.

2. Any tips for parents when applying for schools? Yes, I have major issues with parents being wowed by the brand. It is the same when they are considering universities. Often there is a tendency to want Oxbridge or Ivy League with little consideration given to what is best for the child. I am a great believer in ‘gut feeling’. How does it feel when you enter the school? Can you and/or your child see your child/themselves walking down the corridors, talking to the teachers? Does the school feel right? No school is perfect. Read the school rules or code of conduct - does it reflect your beliefs about education? Tony Little, the ex head of Eton School. says he always asks this question of prospective parents, ‘do you like school rules until they apply to you?’ So get informed!

3. What's the best advice a teacher or headmistress ever gave you? The best piece of advice when I was a student was given to me and it was ‘art does not appear to be Ian’s strongest subject, I suggest not to pursue a career in it!’ The teacher was harsh, but right. And as Oscar Wilde said, ‘the only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.’