Nick Alchin
Head of College
Nick has taught in holistic, values-driven schools since 1995, first teaching Theory of Knowledge and Mathematics at UWCSEA Dover and subsequently at the International School of Geneva in Switzerland. After working as Director of IB at Sevenoaks School, UK, and as Dean of Studies at the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, Kenya, Nick returned to Singapore to lead a team establishing the UWCSEA East High School in 2012 as the High School Principal. He took up the post of Head of College in August 2022. Ex-IB Chief Assessor for Theory of Knowledge globally and ex-Vice Chair of the IB Examining Board, he is a textbook author, IB examiner, workshop leader and consultant who writes and speaks widely on various educational matters.
Nick has a bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences from Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, postgraduate certificates in Engineering and Education from Wolfson College, Cambridge and Manchester College, Oxford and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the Open University.
An avid reader, Nick also enjoys running in the heat and evening walks in the cool. Ellie, his wife, is Director of Teaching and Learning on Dover Campus and together they enjoy travelling across the region, sampling new food, and enjoying the great outdoors wherever possible.
Nick’s blog Education, Schools and Culture is a reflection of his thinking and deep engagement on educational topics with his peers and community. You can also join the conversation with Nick on Twitter.
Contributions by this author
![Community gardening with UWCSEA students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1581976385/uwcseaedusg/ielvhqh3xbnbkjdwttbe/1920_College_PS_Community-garden_660x330.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1581976385/uwcseaedusg/ielvhqh3xbnbkjdwttbe/1920_College_PS_Community-garden_660x330.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1581976385/uwcseaedusg/ielvhqh3xbnbkjdwttbe/1920_College_PS_Community-garden_660x330.jpg","width":660}])
Nick Alchin, Head of College
Nick Alchin describes how UWCSEA deliberately attends to the cultivation of autonomy, competence and belonging in the UWCSEA Culture of Care and Wellbeing.
- Dover Campus
- East Campus
- Holistic Learning Programme
- Leadership
- Opinion
- Sustainability
- Teaching and Learning
- UWC
![Stories we tell ourselves]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1583811525/uwcseaedusg/i81mcnm4oe9nvx515cdz/1718_stories-we-tell-ourselves_660x330.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1583811525/uwcseaedusg/i81mcnm4oe9nvx515cdz/1718_stories-we-tell-ourselves_660x330.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1583811525/uwcseaedusg/i81mcnm4oe9nvx515cdz/1718_stories-we-tell-ourselves_660x330.jpg","width":660}])
Nick Alchin, Head of College
High School Principal Nick Alchin explores why the stories we tell ourselves are important and how we can influence our well being by shaping the narrative.
- Dover Campus
- East Campus
- Holistic Learning Programme
- Leadership
- Opinion
- Teaching and Learning
![Help recognising broad social and cultural themes in the messages that our students pick up from school, peers and home.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1587331582/uwcseaedusg/mconzzlsoymyq5tu6qwn/1516_College_recognising-social-cultural-themes_660x330.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1587331582/uwcseaedusg/mconzzlsoymyq5tu6qwn/1516_College_recognising-social-cultural-themes_660x330.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1587331582/uwcseaedusg/mconzzlsoymyq5tu6qwn/1516_College_recognising-social-cultural-themes_660x330.png","width":660}])
Nick Alchin, Head of College
Help recognising broad social and cultural themes in the messages that our students pick up from school, peers and home and focus on qualities and skills.
- Dover Campus
- East Campus
- Opinion
![IB Theory of Knowledge students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1586246910/uwcseaedusg/xxreyejyts6ez6kenscu/1415-East-TOK-Religion-660x330.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1586246910/uwcseaedusg/xxreyejyts6ez6kenscu/1415-East-TOK-Religion-660x330.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1586246910/uwcseaedusg/xxreyejyts6ez6kenscu/1415-East-TOK-Religion-660x330.jpg","width":660}])
Nick Alchin, Head of college
The IBDP Theory of Knowledge helps the next generation explore the questions: What do we believe? What are the reasons we believe? Are these good reasons?
- Dover Campus
- East Campus
- Holistic Learning Programme
- Opinion
- Teaching and Learning