Dan Sullivan

I started out as a failed footballer 😂 but soon found a new path by volunteering with Plymouth Argyle as a community football coach. That experience inspired me to apply for the BSc Sport and Exercise Science course, which I completed with an upper second class honours.

Having played sport all my life, I always knew I wanted a career in the field, but I wasn’t sure exactly what that would look like until my third year at University. During my dissertation, I worked with Devon FA Girls, and that experience sparked my interest in teaching. It led me to apply for a PGCE in Physical Education.

While studying at Marjon University, I fell in love with the idea of teaching abroad. So I applied for a position in Qingdao, China, and was accepted by Malvern College Qingdao. After graduating from my PGCE, I took the bold step of moving to China to begin my teaching career - a decision I’ve never looked back on.

Living and working in China has transformed me. I’ve embraced a new culture and learned a different approach to teaching. Now in my second year at Malvern College, I’ve been given the opportunity to become Head of Boys’ House. This role has helped me connect with students on a deeper level and taught me a lot about pastoral care and leadership.

I’ve also taken on coaching roles for the U14 and U19 football teams. Moving to China has opened up so many opportunities to grow, both professionally and personally. It’s helped me build my CV, refine my teaching skills, and develop as an individual.