Welcome to our new series, Staff Spotlight at King’s International College, where we hear directly from the people who make the college so special. From teachers and pastoral staff to the leadership team and behind-the-scenes heroes, this series gives insight into their passions, perspectives, and what they love about King’s.
Today, we hear from Acting Joint Principal, Sarah Joseph, as she shares her experiences and reflections in her own words.
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My name is Sarah Joseph, and I currently serve as Acting Joint Principal at the International College. My specialist subject is English as a Second Language, and I also work as the College’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCO). I’ve been part of the College since its very beginning in 2018, when we welcomed just 25 students. Eight years on, our community has grown to nearly 80 students and a much larger team of teachers, and it has been a privilege to watch the College develop into the vibrant, nurturing environment it is today.
My career in education has taken me across the world – from the Greek island of Crete, to Brunei Darussalam in Borneo, to the Sultanate of Oman, and finally to the UK. In every country I’ve lived and worked in, the greatest joy has been discovering the extraordinary diversity of cultures, religions, and languages. This is why I love the International College so much: our students bring with them a rich tapestry of traditions and perspectives, and I learn something new every single day.
We celebrate festivals as varied as Lunar New Year, Ramadan, Mardi Gras, and St Patrick’s Day, and we also ensure students get a taste of British life through events such as our annual Pancake Day Race, Summer Fair, and Christmas Dinner. Watching our students embrace these shared experiences reminds me continually that, despite our differences, we have far more in common than we realise.
Among the many highlights of my time at the College, one of my favourites is the annual Year 9 and 10 Christmas Pantomime. Each year, students who arrive in September with very limited English take to the stage just a few months later—confident, expressive, and ready to entertain the whole College. They’re always a little bewildered by the wonderfully quirky British tradition of pantomime, but that never stops them giving it their all. Their courage and progress are a testament to their hard work and to the supportive community around them.
When I’m not in College, I enjoy quizzing, swimming, walking, and spending time with my grown-up children and two-year-old grandson. My other main passion is travelling. Next on my wish-list is a train journey through the Andes in Peru, and a trip to see the Forbidden City and the Terracotta Army in China.