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As a student of successful schools or rather of what makes schools successful, it took me a while to realize something they all have in common. It’s not something you hear much about. I haven’t heard it talked about at conferences, I don’t know of any books covering it, and it hasn’t (yet) been discussed on any podcasts. There’s plenty of discussion about pedagogy, coaching, leading, behavior management, and wellbeing. And all of that matters, of course. But I’m not talking a

The Deficit Mindset. A condition in which a school takes a traditional, inward-looking approach to its budget, relying on raising tuition to cover shortfalls rather than pursuing meaningful cost reductions or alternative revenue streams. This philosophy stunts institutional growth because it fails to look beyond its own walls and embrace a more "abundance" oriented mindset.

Without fail each year at the start of US tax filing season, the same thing happens at international schools with American staff. Emails start and US tax-related questions land on someone’s desk, HR, the Business Manager, sometimes the Head, and oftentimes no one is quite sure how to answer them.

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

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

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.

Introduction In the dynamic environment of education, the need for transparency, efficiency, and accountability in procurement is paramount. One of the most effective tools for achieving these aims is the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Standardising the RFP process ensures fairness and compliance with regulations and helps schools procure the best possible goods and services for their students and staff. Understanding the Purpose of RFP Standardisation Standardising an R

How much are meetings costing you in real terms? Money, time and well being.

Entering a new school as the in-coming head or administrator can feel as if you are being flung onto a moving train. You need to get your bearings fast, ask the right questions, and decipher a mountain of information, all without losing sight of the people behind the data. Whether you're inheriting a thriving institution or one in development, your initial introduction is critical. While you likely asked some questions during the interview process, it is now your school, and

The number one question a school needs to ask when engaging a vendor, entering into a partnership, or paying for a service, is what the return on investment will be. This extends beyond financial considerations; all aspects of impact must be taken into account, encompassing both short-term gains and long-term sustainability. External vendors play a crucial role in the smooth running of schools from safeguarding systems and recruitment platforms to staff wellbeing providers a

Financial planning works best when it is shared across the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). When leaders understand how budgets are created,...