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Jonathan Chambers Head of IB PYP and ICT Teacher

Jonathan was born in Northern Ireland and has Bachelor of Education (Hons) degree from Stranmillis University. Over the past 20 years as an educator, Jonathan has worked in Egypt, Brasil and now Portugal, experiencing and promoting the best practices in Primary Education and leading key subject areas including Science, ICT and Maths.

For the last 10 years, Jonathan has embraced the IB philosophy and approach to education in an international, inquiry-based setting. As a former PYP Coordinator and Deputy Head of Primary in Brasil, he successfully led an experienced IB school through their third evaluation, receiving several commendations.

Jonathan enjoys keeping up to date with the latest innovations and research into learning, very much believing Seymour Sarason that productive learning is where a challenging, often frustrating but ultimately self-rewarding process engenders and reinforces wanting to learn more.

Jan Van Hees Head of IB DP and Design Teacher

Jan joined OIS in 2018 as Head of the IB Diploma Programme and teacher of MYP Design.

Born in Maastricht, the Netherlands, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in (Digital) Media & Culture (University of Amsterdam), a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in European Politics & Administration (Maastricht University), and a Master’s degree in teaching Social Studies (Leiden University).

After teaching social studies in a Dutch bilingual school, he worked at the IB Global Centre in The Hague (2011-2015), focusing on curriculum development of the Diploma Programme Core and the newly established Career-related Programme. He then moved to Milan, Italy, where he successfully led the implementation of the IB Diploma Programme in an Italian school, teaching English and DP History (2015-2018).

Jan enjoys the Great Outdoors, running, cycling, listening to – and playing – anything from punk rock to JS Bach. “Sapere Aude!” has been his personal motto for a long time. He believes OIS is a community that not only shares his values of sustainability and social responsibility but also his interest in figuring stuff out.