When Dr. Marianne Marot peers into the mouth of an active volcano or analyses seismic waves deep beneath the Earth’s crust, she often thinks back—not to a laboratory or university hall—but to a small, sunlit classroom in the South of France.
A former student of Mougins British International School, Marianne attended from Year 7 to Year 13 (1998–2004), long before the school became the lush, university-style campus it is today. Yet even then, the seeds of her scientific curiosity were already being nurtured.
“I was fascinated by natural phenomena from a young age. At Mougins, my teachers gave me both the academic confidence and the curiosity to explore how the world works,” she recalls.
The Power of Inspiration
It was during her A-levels—Maths, Physics, and Geography—that Marianne’s future path began to take shape. She fondly remembers two teachers, Rachel Warren and Johnny Jones, whose guidance changed everything.
“They not only prepared me so well that my first year of university felt easy, but they also helped me overcome the academic blocks I carried from my earlier schooling in France,” says Marianne. “Their belief in me was transformative.”
Remarkably, both teachers are still part of the Mougins faculty today—a testament to the school’s remarkable continuity and culture of dedication. Many educators at Mougins British International School have been teaching there for more than two decades, providing generations of students with consistent mentorship and academic excellence that extend far beyond the classroom.
A Lifelong Impact
That encouragement paid off. Marianne went on to earn a PhD in seismology and volcanology, focusing on the Chilean Andes, before working across Europe and South America in both academia and applied research. Her projects ranged from modeling microseismic events to using artificial intelligence for urban planning and environmental monitoring.
Now a scientist and engineer with a passion for sharing knowledge, Marianne hopes to transition into teaching—returning to the world of education to inspire others, just as her teachers once inspired her.
“Teaching allows me to give back,” she says. “I want to help students understand not only science, but also themselves—to build resilience, empathy, and confidence.”
Supporting Today’s Students
The tradition of dedicated mentorship continues to define Mougins British International School today. Under the leadership of Head of Sixth Form, Laura Kellie, students benefit from personalised guidance throughout their final years. From one-to-one career counselling to university application support and workshops on global pathways, the school’s approach ensures that every student finds a route that matches their ambitions and talents.
Whether aspiring to study medicine, engineering, art, or environmental science, students at Mougins are empowered to pursue their passions with the same curiosity and determination that once drove Marianne to the foot of the Andes.
See It for Yourself
As Marianne’s journey shows, the lessons learned at Mougins British International School extend far beyond textbooks. They spark curiosity, shape purpose, and continue to echo—sometimes quite literally—around the world.
Families interested in discovering the school’s environment and philosophy can book a personalised campus tour, or join the upcoming Open Morning on Wednesday, 26 November, to meet teachers and students and experience the atmosphere that continues to inspire lifelong success stories.
