Paul Carolan

Paul’s teaching career spans more than three decades and four continents. After gaining his BSc in Applied Chemistry from Sheffield Hallam University and industrial experience at Sellafield and ICI Agrochemicals, he trained as a teacher with a PGCE from the University of Bath in 1990 and has been teaching ever since.

His career has taken him from Plymouth and London to Botswana, Riyadh, and Germany before joining OIC in 2021. Along the way, Paul has served as Head of Chemistry, senior teacher and coordinator, sharing his expertise with students across international schools and colleges.

Inspired by his geologist grandfathers, Paul’s love of chemistry began with experiments extracting elements from minerals and seawater. At OIC, he thrives on working with high-achieving, inquisitive students who stretch his subject knowledge and passion for science to its fullest.

Outside the lab, Paul is a keen bagpipe player and enjoys medieval literature, Celtic music, and poetry. He believes strongly in lifelong learning, seeing it as the key to curiosity, resilience, and staying competitive in a changing world.