Our Educators

Paul Friend is in his twentieth year as Head of School and his twenty-sixth year working in international education. He became the founding Principal of NLCS (Singapore) in August 2019, following five years as Principal of NLCS Jeju. Under his leadership, NLCS Jeju grew significantly and developed a strong reputation for academic excellence, with students progressing to leading universities worldwide.

Previously, Paul served as Headmaster of Dulwich College Shanghai for six years and has also led schools in Zambia, China, and South Korea. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership posts in Thailand and the UK.

He is now Director of NLCS (Singapore), overseeing the current Depot Road campus and the planned new campus at Harbour Drive.

Mrs McCabe-Arnold joins us from Surbiton High Girls’ Preparatory School, where she has been Headteacher since 2022. She brings over 20 years of experience in both UK and international schools, including senior leadership roles at Queen’s College Preparatory School in London, The Granville School in Kent, and The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.

She graduated from the University of Leicester with a degree in American Studies, and later completed a Master’s in Education from Liverpool Hope University. She is currently completing the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

Mrs McCabe-Arnold is known for her warm, collaborative leadership and her commitment to high academic standards, excellent pastoral care, and a rich co-curricular life. She is looking forward to working closely with families as we prepare for the next phase of the school’s growth.

Mrs Richardson brings nearly thirty years of experience in education, including senior leadership roles at The Perse School in Cambridge and, most recently, as Head of Mount House School in London.

She has a proven track record of developing high-performing teams, driving academic standards, and enhancing pastoral structures, and she has led multiple schools through successful inspections.

She graduated from the University of Kent with a degree in History and completed her PGCE at Christchurch College, Canterbury. She also holds the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership.

With a passion for holistic education, Mrs Richardson has led extensive enrichment programmes and is deeply committed to supporting students as individuals.

Paul Friend is in his twentieth year as Head of School and his twenty-sixth year working in international education. He became the founding Principal of NLCS (Singapore) in August 2019, following five years as Principal of NLCS Jeju. Under his leadership, NLCS Jeju grew significantly and developed a strong reputation for academic excellence, with students progressing to leading universities worldwide.

Previously, Paul served as Headmaster of Dulwich College Shanghai for six years and has also led schools in Zambia, China, and South Korea. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership posts in Thailand and the UK.

He is now Director of NLCS (Singapore), overseeing the current Depot Road campus and the planned new campus at Harbour Drive.

Mrs McCabe-Arnold joins us from Surbiton High Girls’ Preparatory School, where she has been Headteacher since 2022. She brings over 20 years of experience in both UK and international schools, including senior leadership roles at Queen’s College Preparatory School in London, The Granville School in Kent, and The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.

She graduated from the University of Leicester with a degree in American Studies, and later completed a Master’s in Education from Liverpool Hope University. She is currently completing the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

Mrs McCabe-Arnold is known for her warm, collaborative leadership and her commitment to high academic standards, excellent pastoral care, and a rich co-curricular life. She is looking forward to working closely with families as we prepare for the next phase of the school’s growth.

Mrs Richardson brings nearly thirty years of experience in education, including senior leadership roles at The Perse School in Cambridge and, most recently, as Head of Mount House School in London.

She has a proven track record of developing high-performing teams, driving academic standards, and enhancing pastoral structures, and she has led multiple schools through successful inspections.

She graduated from the University of Kent with a degree in History and completed her PGCE at Christchurch College, Canterbury. She also holds the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership.

With a passion for holistic education, Mrs Richardson has led extensive enrichment programmes and is deeply committed to supporting students as individuals.

Matt is an experienced leader in international education having taught in the UK, Italy, Hong Kong and El Salvador. In his most recent role he has been Head of Secondary in El Salvador and he has a history of success in a wide range of middle and senior leadership roles. He has a BA in Geography from the University of Manchester, an MA in International Education, and recently completed the UK's NPQH qualification for senior leadership.

Laurence studied International History and International Politics at the University of Sheffield. He also has a PGCE from the University of Oxford, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Management from the Open University, and an NPQH from the Institute of Education at University College London. Laurence spent the first 7 years of his career teaching History at a school in Oxfordshire in the UK where he was also Head of History and Head of Year. This was followed by 10 years at the English College in Prague. For 8 of those years, Laurence was the Deputy Head (Pastoral).

Since qualifying with a First Class Degree in Education from the University of Winchester, Sophie has held a range of teaching and leadership roles in UK primary schools. She served for three years as the Principal of a successful and thriving primary school in Hampshire, where she demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to educational excellence. Sophie has extensive experience in safeguarding and has been a Designated Safeguarding Lead for the past six years. She is well-versed in complex multi-agency collaboration and holds formal qualifications in Safer Recruitment and the NPQSL from the QTL awarding board. As a trained Cognitive Behavioural Approach practitioner, Sophie is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive school culture for all learners.

Ed joined us as Vice Principal (Academic) in August 2023 after eight years in Senior Leadership positions at one of the top schools in London. He brings significant experience building and developing teams in a growing school.

Ed has a BEng in Electronic Engineering from Durham University, an MA in Science Education from King’s College London and an MEd in Educational Leadership and School Improvement from the University of Cambridge. He stays engaged with the latest educational research and sits as an advisory board member for Evidence Based Education.

Harry O'Hare assumed the appointment of Director of Operations and HR in October 2024. He obtained a BSc in Applied Science at the Royal Military College of Science and an MBA from Cranfield University. He is a graduate of both the Naval and Army Staff Colleges and served 35 years in the British Army reaching the rank of Brigadier before moving into education. He was the Bursar at Oundle in the UK for 10 years and NLCS Jeju for 3 years prior to joining NLCS Singapore where he oversees the support operations of the School.