Meet Simon Perry: Head of Design & Technology
SHC Article SHC Design Technology SHC Story SHC TeacherAt Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus, Design & Technology (D&T) is about far more than making things. It is about creativity, problem-solving, and preparing children to think like designers for the real world. We are delighted to introduce Simon Perry, our Head of Design & Technology, who brings passion, experience and innovation into every D&T lesson.
Simon’s Journey into Teaching
Simon’s career began with a degree in Sports Development and Marketing; however, everything changed during a university teaching scheme when he discovered a deep enthusiasm for primary education. This led him to complete a School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programme and gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), launching his teaching career in the UK.
Simon moved to Thailand in 2011 to teach in local schools, an experience that gave him valuable insight into Thai culture and Thai students. Inspired by his father, who was a secondary design teacher, Simon eventually applied for a full-time design teaching role. In 2020, he joined Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus as Head of Design & Technology.
Simon’s Work at City Campus
Some of Simon’s proudest moments come from projects that spark joy and engagement for students –one standout is STEM Racing where he expanded the competition to include Music, Digital Creativity and English, where students pitch sponsorship ideas. The highlight is race day, when children proudly showcase their learning and race their own mini cars.
Another favourite is the SHC MasterChef competition, founded by Simon. Cooking is hugely popular in Food Technology lessons, and this event allows students to demonstrate their skills, creativity and teamwork in an exciting, authentic way.
Simon also leads the Design, Engineer, Construct! (DEC) programme, a flagship initiative where Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus was the first primary school in the world to adopt this award scheme. Through projects such as Design a Home for Everyone, students gain insight into the built environment while exploring careers like architecture and civil engineering, all while developing empathy and creative thinking.
What Makes Design & Technology at Shrewsbury Unique?
Aside from the school’s outstanding facilities, what truly sets our D&T provision apart is the way it is taught. From Year 3 onwards, students receive a dedicated hour of D&T each week, giving them access to a rich and continuous curriculum that many children do not experience until secondary school.
“Our approach is grounded in the Design Thinking process, which nurtures creativity and imagination, develops empathy, and connects learning to real-world contexts. This structured framework supports purposeful, meaningful learning,” Simon said.
Sustainability is also at the heart of the D&T curriculum at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus, with many projects linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Rather than simple crafts, students work on meaningful projects that address real challenges, helping them understand how thoughtful design can shape a better future.
Why Is Cooking Part of Design & Technology?
Parents often ask why cooking sits within D&T, known as Food Technology. Simon explains that this follows the National Curriculum for England, where Food Technology focuses on designing and making products that meet human needs, including preparing and cooking food. Through these lessons, students learn practical skills such as measuring, mixing and cooking, alongside understanding nutrition, hygiene and food safety.
Just like other D&T projects, Food Technology follows the design–make–evaluate process. Students create dishes that are safe, nutritious and enjoyable, while developing creativity, problem-solving skills and an understanding of healthy living.
Simon’s Teaching Philosophy
“I believe it’s essential that students enjoy their learning, as happy learners become creative thinkers,” said Simon. “I encourage them to embrace mistakes, helping them understand that, particularly in designing, errors provide valuable information for creating better products. My role is to support the development of their logical thinking, collaboration, decision-making and adaptive problem-solving skills by breaking challenges into manageable, achievable steps.”
Above all, he loves seeing students fully immersed in their creations, whether they are using digital tools like Tinkercad or working with their hands to build physical products.
Through Simon’s leadership, Design & Technology at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus empowers students to think creatively, work collaboratively and approach challenges with confidence –skills that will support them well beyond primary school.
With Simon leading D&T, students are encouraged to experiment, test and iterate their designs, fostering creativity and innovation. By tackling real-world challenges, they have the opportunity to explore multiple solutions.
Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus