ISP: OUR HEADS

Philip O’Gara

Head of School, Alexandria International School

Philip O’Gara brings more than 20 years of experience working in all phases of k-12 education. Originally from Ireland, he earned his primary degree in music followed by a higher diploma in education from Trinity College Dublin and a master’s degree in international education from Endicott College.

Philip has spent much of his professional life working in private and paritaria schools in Italy; for ICS Milan, where he was head of school; as music/theatre arts teacher for Marymount, Rome, St. Louis School, Milan and International School of Milan; for Smiling International School, Ferrara where he led the school to achieve authorization to deliver the IBDP.

As an education entrepreneur, he has worked with investment funds and private Italian schools looking to develop their international profile and collaborated on the development of innovative educational projects with VIE Education/Swiss Education Group and Bucksmore Education/Inter Academy.

In his spare time, Philip likes to keep his piano skills fresh playing music by Bach, Rachmaninov and Gershwin, amongst others. He tries to keep fit by running, skiing and yoga but is hampered by his love of Italian food and wine. He is the owner of a Lagotto Romagnolo, a truffle-hunting dog named Bruno, and together with his wife and three children, can be found roaming the Piedmont hills in search of a Tuber Magnatum or one of the many wonderful restaurants in the area.