Teaching and coaching have taken Barton across more than five countries, where he has been fortunate to work with thousands of students, from those stepping onto the field for the very first time to athletes representing their teams at world championship level. Playing and coaching sport is what originally brought him into education. Games, sport, and structured play were major parts of his life as a child, and as he grew older, that passion never faded, it simply evolved into new ways of supporting young people.

The Joy of Teaching PHE

For Barton, seeing students surprise themselves by achieving things they once thought were impossible is pure magic. Whether it’s running their first full lap, mastering a new skill, or discovering they actually enjoy being active, these moments of growth and confidence are at the heart of why he teaches.

PHE is an outlier in many ways compared with other core subjects. Students often express themselves more freely in a sports environment than in traditional classrooms. For those who may struggle with languages or academic subjects, PHE offers another outlet to communicate, succeed, and build bonds across cultures.

Beyond the Classroom

Over the years, Barton has completed 11 marathons, been selected as MVP of an international tournament, and learned again and again that a good team is always greater than the sum of its parts. He inspires students by reminding them that “the way we do anything is the way we do everything.” He believes regular training, if taken seriously, can put students on any stage in the world, whether in sport or beyond.

Why Dwight School Hanoi?

Barton believes Dwight School Hanoi gives students agency over their education unlike any other school he has worked in. In PHE and sport, that means students have the space to set goals, reflect on their progress, and take ownership of their development as both athletes and teammates.