Tim Parkinson

　

Mr. Parkinson studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University, leaving in 1990 to teach Economics at Winchester College, one of the UK's oldest and most academic boys' boarding schools (founded in 1387). He was Head of Economics from 2003 to 2007, at which point he became Winchester's Head of International Affairs, based in Hong Kong. From there he oversees admissions from the East Asian area, and is also responsible for organizing academic affairs of the annual International Symposium, a pioneering project to combine online learning and live discussion amongst ten countries’ member schools (one school from each country). The schools debate a topic online over several months, before convening at one of the member schools for a week's intensive writing and synthesis. Since 2000, symposium topics have covered wide range of issues and interests; so far schools have exchanged discussions and debates on education, global economy, healthcare, leadership, poverty and architecture. 

While living in Hong Kong, Tim travels to work with students in China. He has been invited to conduct teaching at schools in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenyang, His academic seminars and writing workshops focus on fostering critical thinking. Upholding his western teaching standards, Tim is also mindful of making appropriate and culturally sensitive adjustments to the local Chinese education system. He works with local schools to offer a tailored western educational approach to students, the aim being to help students adapt and align their needs with the skills required for overseas studies. 

Tim sits on the founding board of IESC’s China Studies Program (CSP), responsible for the creation of the program’s learning content. He continues to lead the CSP’s teaching team and acts as a role model for the American students who have desires to understand and travel to China. In his spare time Tim enjoys all things Italian, reading, and flying aircraft. He speaks Italian, German, Spanish, French, and a small amount of Chinese.