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Let’s start thinking more intentionally about the performance of individuals  in our schools - not in an HR-policy way, but genuinely, as people with layers, potential, and blind spots. Start with this: every person in your school either expands or limits the collective impact of the school. The job of the head of school is to notice which direction they’re leaning and help them lean better. 1. Start with Clarity (Even When It’s Awkward) Performance issues often hide behind f

An average student consumes approximately 2,160 school meals  during their time at school from grade one to 12 ( 6,500 meals  when morning and afternoon snacks are included), and more than 10,000  for students living on campus. While the first 1,000 days of life are universally recognized as the most critical period for nutritional development, far fewer people realize that the second most important window is adolescence, from ages 10 to 18. This developmental stage is define

This guide outlines a practical, step by step approach to conducting a strategic HR audit in schools. Each stage is weighted to reflect its impact on organisational effectiveness, helping school leaders identify priorities, ensure compliance, and make informed decisions that strengthen staff performance and student outcomes.

Whether we like it or not, AI is already sitting beside us in HR's daily work. In my role, it has become a partner in refining communication, designing wellness initiatives, and reviewing policies in alignment with local labor laws. Tone Coach One of the most practical ways I use AI is as a tone coach for HR communication. When emotions are high, it is easy for initial email drafts to reflect personal history or frustration. Instead of sending my first draft, I removed identi

International schools generated $67.3 billion USD in annual fees as of January 2025, up 22% since 2020 according to the Enrollment Management Association, and the Admissions Managers in the 15,000 international schools around the world that play a huge part in generating this revenue work in a competitive field!  Since fee income from enrollment is the primary or only revenue stream for many schools, admissions performance is tightly linked to viability and investment capacit

More than any other theme, sustainable development dominates K-12 classrooms. We teach students about collaboration, conservation and protecting finite resources. At the same time, has there ever been greater pressure on school departments to meet relentless “growth goals”? Grow test scores. Grow enrollment. More EdTech, more data, more systems, more engagement. If you work to support a school in IT, HR, or Operations, you know this tension. Leadership wants growth or cost r

When I joined the leadership team at Luanda International School in Angola, I entered an environment shaped by a clear and intentional leadership vision. The Head of School has established a collaborative culture grounded in transparency, shared responsibility, and data-informed decision-making. Rather than relying on traditional hierarchical structures, the school has embraced a leadership model that encourages open dialogue, cross-functional coordination, and shared account

In an international school, the Board’s sole employee is the Head of School. This role carries responsibility for every aspect of the organisation, from teaching and learning to finance, operations, and human resources. For that reason, one of the Board’s most important duties is evaluating the Head. A strong evaluation process keeps leadership aligned with the school’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. Accountability sits at the heart of this relationship. The Board hold

We spend weeks perfecting the prospectus. We obsess over open day speeches. We A/B test the admissions landing page. But how much time do we spend analyzing how we speak to each other? In most schools, internal communications run on autopilot: a legacy mix of Friday emails, briefing notes, WhatsApp groups, corridor conversations, and the occasional all-staff meeting. It works. Sort of.  Until it doesn't. If you're noticing signs of "information fatigue" among staff, or if key

Job fairs still play a role in many international school recruitment strategies. They offer a space to meet candidates face to face and showcase what makes a school a compelling place to work. At the same time, their value has shifted. Virtual recruitment is now established, travel costs are high, and many strong candidates no longer feel the need to attend fairs in person. That shift makes preparation more important than ever if schools are to see a real return on time and c

The presence of AI in our lives is unavoidable, and in many cases it has served to streamline tasks and make day to day life easier. In education, however, most discussion has focused on student facing use. Yet as someone who supports technology both in classrooms and behind the scenes, I noticed a gap in how AI could support the systems that keep schools running for students, families, and staff.

Schools often separate marketing, communications, and admissions, which leads to fragmented messaging and missed opportunities. When these functions work together as one cohesive team, schools tell a clearer story, build stronger community trust, and create a more consistent and effective enrolment journey from first enquiry to enrolment and beyond.

Human Resources compliance in international schools today is of paramount importance - that everyone knows, but how to get it right with compliance? Adhering to local and international labour laws, immigration regulations, and ethical standards is a fundamental requirement for any school's survival and success.

Many school programs now run outside the classroom, and the skills required to lead them safely are very different from those needed inside. On the one hand, we have a highly structured and controlled environment with clear and consistent parameters around the nature of classroom activities and definitive timeframes on how long a teacher is responsible for the students and those activities. If something goes wrong, you can easily get help. Teachers are well trained and prepar

Recruitment in international schools is one of the sector's biggest budget pressures. Schools face annual costs for platform memberships, agency commissions, placement fees, branding campaigns, and job fairs, all of which continue to rise, but with no guarantee of return on investment. Whether you are running a not-for-profit, part of a global group, or leading a stand-alone school, these costs are significant and demand careful strategy. At the same time, competition for top

“We are thrilled to announce that we have joined the ... international school family's global network.” This proud announcement that marks a new chapter for a school is certainly familiar, and beneath the headlines, there is frequently a range of feelings, including anticipation for new possibilities and apprehension about what may happen next. Joining a larger school group presents questions and offers the possibility of collaboration and sharing expertise. What’s going to c

There’s a common perception that the finance team in an international school are the people sitting in their office saying “no” to every spending request that crosses their desk. In reality the purpose of the finance function is to help connect various departments across the school and make commercial sense of the information being shared and gathered. Evolution of the School Finance Role The role of a school finance leader has evolved from the back-office bean counter of yes

When schools face admissions difficulties, it can be tempting to look outward for solutions, such as investing in costly advertising campaigns or hiring outside agencies. While these approaches may bring short-term visibility, they can distract from what truly matters: building trust within the community by strengthening internal relationships and promoting key strengths. These are the strongest messages we can convey to prospective families.

In international schools, two departments often work in the background yet influence almost every part of community life: Communications and Technology. Individually, each department has enormous influence over how a school functions and is perceived. When we step back though, it becomes clear that their impact can reach far beyond those functions. Together, they hold untapped potential as strategic partners in shaping the future of schools.

Many international school leaders are unaware of the costs of teacher turnover. Knowing the dollar amounts can position education leaders to have conversations about teacher retention that aren’t reduced to complaints about pay or workload. To address turnover, leaders need to examine what they are losing, and where there are opportunities.