Damian Bacchoo

High School Principal @ UWC South East Asia

About

I believe leadership is about changing trajectories: helping individuals, teams, and communities to make a difference in the world. Rutger Bregman calls it moral ambition: using your skills and position not for status, but to make a meaningful difference. That’s the frame I bring to my work as a school principal in the UWC movement, where every decision (from curriculum design to a conversation at the door) has the potential to alter a young person’s future. My approach is rooted in compassionate leadership: noticing, nurturing, and creating the conditions where others can thrive. For me, success is measured not by what I achieve, but by what others go on to achieve because they felt supported, trusted, and inspired. Above all, I try to live by a simple phrase that guides my leadership: “be kinder than you need to be”.

Country

City

Singapore

Industry

Primary/Secondary Education

Skill

Project Management, Head of School, Educational Administration, School Management, Microsoft PowerPoint, Leadership, Talent Management, Command, Curriculum Development, Instructional Design, Operational Planning, Strategy, Educational Technology, Personal Development, Leadership Development, Training Delivery, Educational Leadership, Teacher Training, Staff Development, Management

Experience

High School Principal

UWC South East Asia

2021-1 - Present · 5 yrs 9 mos

Singapore

UWCSEA is a K-12 not-for-profit international school with c.6000 students. Welcoming students from all around the world, we have the largest global IBDP cohort, and are accredited by the IBO, CIS and WASC. As part of the United World College movement, we focus all available resources on ensuring our education is a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future by coming together to embrace challenges and take responsibility for shaping a better future. Current projects include: - Commencing in 2022, we are currently phasing out all GCSE courses in Grades 9/10 and replacing them with our own concept-based programme aligned with our UWC Mission. - Commencing in 2024, we are piloting a new DP with the IB to give students greater flexibility to pursue their interests in complex, interdisciplinary, UWC Mission-aligned areas, such as sustainable development, peacebuilding and intercultural understanding.

Director of Education

VIE Education

2020-1 - 2021-1 · 1 yr 1 mo

Montreux, Vaud, Switzerland

Provision of consultation services for the launch of new IB schools, Faria Education and Kognity.

Global Head of Programme for DP and CP

International Baccalaureate

2017-12 - 2020-1 · 2 yrs 2 mos

The Hague Area, Netherlands

As the Head of Programme, I was responsible for the teams that develop all the curriculum and teacher support material for both the IBDP and IBCP - delivered in almost 4,000 schools globally.

Head of School

GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis

2015-8 - 2017-12 · 2 yrs 5 mos

Wellington Academy, Silicon Oasis, Dubai

WSO is a co-ed international school for students aged 3-19 offering the EYFS, National Curriculum for England, GCSEs, A-levels, BTEC, IBCP and IBDP to c.4000 students from over 120 nationalities. BSO Outstanding school. Specific expertise in the development and delivery of bespoke competency/mastery curriculum, blended learning and curriculum and assessment design.

Vice Principal

GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis

2012-9 - 2015-8 · 3 yrs

Wellington Academy, Silicon Oasis, Dubai

Academic and curriculum lead for Years 5-13

Army Officer (Major)

British Army

2004-1 - 2012-9 · 8 yrs 9 mos

England, Scotland, Brunei, Iraq, Afghanistan

Government service in a range of operational, analytical and policy roles, delivering results to critical deadlines. Completed operational tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, with experience of leadership and management in very demanding conditions. Frequently required to build strong working relationships with partners across government and beyond. Specific expertise in education, training, instructional design, curriculum development, and e-assessment.