Archive

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

Many international schools have become significantly better at onboarding over the last decade, investing more time and energy into helping new hires settle into countries, systems, and communities. That’s a positive shift. But while onboarding has become more professionalised, offboarding is often inconsistent, rushed, or poorly designed.

One of the biggest risks in safeguarding is familiarity. Schools can easily fall into the thinking of “we have always done it this way”. The problem is that safeguarding gaps rarely appear overnight. They develop gradually through routines that stop being questioned or systems that drift over time because nobody has had the opportunity to properly review them or work through different scenarios under their lens. The Operational Reality of Safeguarding Having worked in intern

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.

Are we playing a game of musical chairs with international schools as the players? The chairs are the diminishing pool of school age children. As demographic trends see student numbers contract year on year in many markets, the music is slowing, and the scramble is becoming a fight for survival. This crisis of enrollment is inextricably linked to our industry's future, and stakeholders must now navigate the risks of transformation. So, in this high stakes round of musical ch

The end-of-year season in an international school is a unique psychological phenomenon. While colleagues in "stationary" domestic systems might be looking forward to a summer of rest, the international educator often finds themselves in a state of profound liminality, the "in-between." You are physically present in one country, yet your digital footprint, your logistics, and your heart are already halfway across the globe. It is a period defined by a foot in two worlds, and

When things are unclear, schools often make the mistake of looking externally. When enrollment goes down, markets change, or instability occurs, the instinct is often to spend more on advertising, focus on visibility, or market more aggressively. These actions often do not get to the heart of the matter. Uncertain markets do not just look at marketing; they look to see if the school is aligned.

In recent weeks, events in the Middle East have once again reminded organisations how quickly global instability can unsettle the workplace. Escalating tensions and security concerns across the region have already prompted some organisations to shift employees to remote work and review travel plans in order to protect staff and maintain operations. Some staff who have taken jobs in the region due to start in August are now nervous about relocating and whether their start dat

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 fo

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 defined by

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.

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 re

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

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.

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

“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

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 education, the pace, the complexity of stakeholders, and the unique cultures are challenging. Schools are managing a far wider and more interconnected universe of risk than many outsiders (and even some insiders) appreciate. Unless risk management roles are formally defined and coordinated, fragmentation and vulnerabilities become inevitable.

What if the key to keeping early career teachers in the profession wasn’t another expensive, top-down initiative that felt totally disconnected from the real teaching experience? What if it focused more on teachers, their relationships and human connection?

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