Mr Derry recently published a paper entitled 'Raising Student Achievement through 21st Century Education', has been a presenter at several international education conferences and has served on school accreditation teams for the Council of International Schools. Last year he was elected to be a member of the International Baccalaureate Heads’ Council representing Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Passionate about 'High Performance Learning', he says, "Our students out perform what parents might normally expect at any other school. We put students at the centre of their own learning, we have high expectations and ensure support mechanisms are in place so that all students can achieve at a high level. We do not believe any child has glass ceilings to their learning. As a result, BISB students consistently achieve outstandingly results at all key stages, IGCSE and IB Diploma."

Mr. Derry was joined in Budapest by his wife, Anne-Marie and their four children. All are avid outdoor fanatics enjoying skiing, hiking and biking.
 

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
At the beginning of August 2013 with my wife, and with our four children who are all now in school here – the opportunity for good schooling in Budapest for them was a deciding factor in choosing to live here.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I left the UK 23 years ago, I spent two years in Zimbabwe (it’s hard to stay there longer due to red-tape), three years in the US, and before that I lived and working in Switzerland and France.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
After living in Africa, I love having electricity and running water every day!. The friendliness of Hungarian people, how welcoming and warm they are. Arriving here from an African winter, it also surprised me how hot Budapest is in August. Fresh groceries are great here, as is dining out - our boys eat a lot and here we can go out for meals from time to time – restaurants are cheaper in Hungary than Zimbabwe. Walking along Római Part is also surprisingly nice, and I feel Budapest is a place that’s hard to leave. And what also surprised us is how good the wines are here, great quality reds and whites as well.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
The problem is; there is so much to see and do, depending on weather and the age of the guests of course. In the winter the thermal baths are a must. In good weather the Castle District is astonishing, and walking along Andrássy is nice. We always vary the plan each time people come to visit. Cycling from Csillaghegy to Dobogókő and back is a more unusual but very enjoyable activity. It’s very safe compared to Africa, as here there are no baboons around to steel your bike!

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
I like the stews and soups, particularly Halászlé (fish soup). Hekk and chips at Római Part is great with draft beer.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Spices. All sorts of spices, as we cook a lot of Indian and Chinese dishes at home. I take a real pleasure in preparing meals, and we like to involve the whole family in the kitchen. It’s a fun way to spend time being creative together.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Hogy vagy (How are you?)
Also Szépségszalon (beauty salon) a good one to say because of the s’s and z’s.
Család (family) also come to mind, which at first I thought meant salad.
And sometimes I still confuse négy (four) with nagy (big) when asking for a coffee.

8. What do you miss the most from home?
We’ve got to the point where there is not much to miss except family. It used to be things like Branston Pickle, these days we enjoy trying out new things wherever we live.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I’d love to go back to University and study languages – to know more about words and the roots of languages – that’s what I’d choose to do if I could.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
A coal miner. My father was a miner and he took me down there when I was a boy, he told me I would never have to work down there like him. He encouraged me to study, and I did, and I’m grateful..

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
At our home in Charmonix, France.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
It might be in the U.S. as my son wants to go to college there, and we need to look around at the options for him.

13. What was your favourite band and book as a teen?
Band: Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin. Book: Lord of the Rings

14. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
Ice-cream and cheese, but not together.

15. Red wine or white?
Both, really depends on what I’m eating, and on the season, so it could be Rosé too.

16. Book or movie?
Both, depending on my mood. I usually read four books in parallel on my eBook reader– some are related to work, some are about education in general, others are novels. This way I can always choose what I feel like reading. Watching a movie usually happens together with the family.

17. Morning person or night person?
Morning – I have always been a morning person, as I need about five hours sleep each night. It means I start the day early, ride my bike to school and start work before 6 am.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
There are many, so it’s a tough one to answer. If I had to choose one then I’d say the imbalance of wealth. Having worked in the U.S. where money has a great social importance, and then in Africa where people live on 1USD per day, this certainly concerns me

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Buda, because of family life.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
“A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world” - John le Carré