James Bleach joined GESS in August 2024, further strengthening the team behind Innovation and Educational Programmes. He brings with him a robust and rich experience, leading departments in England and abroad over the last 17 years. His passion for design education has also brought him to many places, giving keynote speeches at national and international Design & Technology conferences as well as advising implementation of the subject across the UAE.
Hi James, tell us about yourself, your academic and career background, and what do you do at GESS.
My name is James Bleach, and I am proud to serve as the Head of Subject for Design and Technology and the Innovation Coordinator at GESS. My academic journey began with a BA (Hons) in Primary Education, followed by a PGCE in Secondary Design and Technology in the UK. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of leading numerous departments across the UK, which sparked my passion for innovation in education. This experience inspired me to establish a teaching resource business, deliver keynote presentations at national and international events, and consult schools on designing and developing cutting-edge D&T spaces. Most recently prior to GESS, I’ve contributed to impactful projects at Tanglin Trust School in Singapore and Sherborne School in Qatar, further deepening my commitment to fostering creativity and innovation in education.
What made you decide to join GESS?
After moving to the Middle East, I stayed connected with Design and Technology colleagues in Singapore who had joined GESS. I was already familiar with the school from a previous visit and had been deeply impressed by the students, the facilities, and the strong sense of community. When the opportunity arose to join the Design team, my family and I were eager to return to life in Southeast Asia.
As I learned more about GESS’ vision and initiatives like the BeyondClassrooms programme, I felt inspired to contribute my expertise and be part of a forward-thinking team driving innovation and excellence. I’ve always been passionate about working collaboratively with staff across different age groups and disciplines, mentoring, coaching, and supporting the development of skills and projects.
The Innovation Coordinator role at GESS was the perfect fit for my aspirations to make a meaningful impact. Soon after joining, I had the privilege of becoming the Head of Design and Technology, a role that further fuelled my enthusiasm to develop the department. With an exceptional team of colleagues and outstanding facilities, I knew we could create a transformative learning environment for our students.
You have been onboard GESS for a good semester, and we know you have introduced many changes, such as a revamped Design Centre. What are some of these changes, that have impacted our students or changed the way they learn?
It has been an incredibly productive semester, with numerous opportunities to enhance the learning environment at GESS. My initial approach was to create a detailed 3D CAD model of the Design Centre, including the furniture and machinery. This allowed us to assess the layout and ensure that all spaces met the requirements for safety and efficiency. Once the model was complete, I worked closely with staff, walking through the rooms to discuss how the layout supported both teaching and learning. As a result, the workshops and design rooms were reconfigured to create a better flow and improve functionality.
Following this, we focused on visual and practical enhancements. By documenting the department with photos, we designed displays that showcase student work and innovation, while also identifying areas that needed improvements. Collaborating with the facilities and engineering teams, we addressed key upgrades like improved lighting and electrical systems.
These changes have transformed the Design Centre into a more practical, versatile, and inspiring space. They have also enabled us to deliver a broader range of subjects more effectively, including 3D Printing, Product Design, Coding, Robotics, Prop Design, and JIA. Ultimately, these improvements have positively impacted the way students engage with hands-on learning and encouraged creativity and exploration across disciplines.
We had the opportunity to see you in class with some of our Pre-primary children, giving them a headstart in learning about pollution, plastic recycling and more. What drives your passion in working with children, and getting them started early on this part of environmentalism?
Sustainability has always been a key focus in the schools I’ve worked in, and I’m passionate about helping students see the potential in what others might consider waste. Where many see trash, I see treasure — or at least free material that can be upcycled into something new. At GESS, we’ve introduced machinery that shreds waste plastic, which can then be heated, pressed, and transformed into new sheets for students to use in their projects. This hands-on process not only teaches students about recycling but also shifts the mindset of the entire community, inspiring a deeper appreciation for sustainability and real-world impact.
My role as Innovation Coordinator has allowed me to bring initiatives like this to life in collaboration with our Service and Sustainability Lead, Mr. Anders Haglind. Together, we’ve worked across grade levels to instil a love for environmentalism in students of all ages. Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting two Pre-Primary classes, as well as our CAS Art students in the Design Centre to explore recycling in action. Seeing young children engage with these concepts so early is incredibly rewarding—they’re learning that even small actions can make a big difference, and that’s a lesson that will stay with them for years to come.
What are some challenges you have encountered so far, and what is your personal motto in overcoming them?
Starting at a new school always comes with its challenges — adapting to new systems, building relationships with staff, students and families, and learning the culture of the community. However, these challenges have been a pleasure to navigate at GESS, thanks to the incredibly welcoming and supportive environment.
As a Design teacher, I often encourage my students to identify problems and develop creative solutions, which has shaped my own mindset as well. This approach has helped me build resilience and maintain a passion for continuous self-improvement. While I have the privilege of leading the subject, I firmly believe in the value of collaboration and learning from others. Every individual brings a unique set of skills and experiences, and by sharing knowledge while being open to learning, we can overcome challenges and grow together.
We know you have many exciting initiatives in the pipeline. Would you be able to share some of these with our readers? What are some of the initiatives/plans in your pipeline that our students can look forward to?
There are many exciting initiatives underway that I’m thrilled to share with the GESS community. One of the key projects we’re focusing on is expanding our sustainability efforts within the Design Centre. We’re planning to fully integrate our plastic recycling system into more student projects, allowing learners to create innovative products from repurposed materials while deepening their understanding of the circular economy.
Another initiative is enhancing our capabilities in areas like robotics, 3D printing, and coding, including more delivery to Pre-Primary and Primary grade levels. We’re working on introducing more interdisciplinary projects that merge technology with creativity, giving students opportunities to solve real-world problems in unique ways.
We’re also looking to expand our partnerships with external organisations and industries. This will bring in guest speakers, workshops and mentorship programmes to inspire students and provide them with real-world insights.
Finally, as well as continuing to refine and upgrade the Design Centre itself, creating an even more dynamic and innovative space for learning, we will focus on other areas of school too. I want students to feel inspired every time they step into their rooms, ready to explore, experiment, and bring their ideas to life. I believe these initiatives will not only engage our students but also equip them with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Watch our Pre-primary kids learn about plastic recycling here.
