Why self-knowledge must be a pillar of anyone’s education
Tiago Mateus returns to a question at the heart of all educational debate: why do we teach? His answers are student rather than subject-centred.
Tiago Mateus returns to a question at the heart of all educational debate: why do we teach? His answers are student rather than subject-centred.
Paul Cabrelli and Andy Homden look at what UK schools must consider when including India as part of their strategy for establishing a branded international school.
As well as asking where new markets for international schools are likely to emerge in the next ten years, Paul Cabrelli and Andy Homden think we should be considering what kind of schools are going to be built.
Andy Homden and Michael Roulston look at how UK schools can demonstrate their value to an international partner in a way that sets them apart from the competition.
Tau Wey, Head of Keyboard Music at Sevenoaks School reflects on changes being made to music education and curriculum that gives voice to our diversity and difference.
Sports Facilities Lead at Alleyn’s School, Joel Stewart describes how a visit to Qatar changed his world view – and his life.
It can render what’s in front of you invisible. However, when what is in front of you is so different to what you’re used to, you have to take notice. Nolan Price taught in Japan for 5 years, adjusting to what was his ‘new now’. How did this affect his life and teaching?
In the May 2023 edition of the ITM Podcast, Nalini Cook of ISC Research and Mansoor Ahmed of Colliers International , two of the most respected observers of the international school scene talk to Andy Homden about the post-pandemic world of international education and the changes already shaping its future.
Nicholas Chaddock asks if it isn’t time for all international schools to bring outdoor education in from the cold and give it parity of esteem with ‘academic’ subjects.
For Danau Tanu, Alien Citizen a movie by Elizabeth Liang is a must see for international teachers wanting to understand the ‘TCK’ experience.
In December 2022 Anna Azarova, Communications Lead at the British International School, Ukraine, told how she came to be in the UK. Now, she tells the story of how the school has been able to re-open and even grown this year, with a little help from some friends.
The British international school market is still strong, new COBIS data show – but wellbeing and academic concerns for pupils of all ages persist post-pandemic. Dan Worth reports.
Luke Walduck looks at the guidance shared by some of the latest influencers in international education, or ‘edruptors’, following a recent white paper published by ISC Research.
Anna Azarova arrived in the UK two months after the invasion of her home country on February 24th, 2022. In the first of two articles, she reflects on her road in 2022.
Matthew Savage looks at why students in international schools might choose to mask their real self and the consequences for student wellbeing.
Tash Hingston with news of an opportunity for the views of international school students to be heard by participating in the ISC Research student voice survey.
With a teaching recruitment crisis looming Down Under, Tim Waley looks at the results of a recent Tes survey that shows how important PD is for candidates.
With teacher retention and wellbeing more important than ever, Cindy Adair looks at what makes a great induction programme for international staff.
David Cole, Principal of the British International School Ukraine looks at how an online art project has kept the school community together during the country’s diaspora.
Andy Homden and Simon Harris look at ideas for teacher information packs that will help a school stand apart in the age of digital recruitment.
International teaching can take you to some amazing places. In 2022, Susan Bennett has been working in Nauru.
Wednesday 13th July, 2022.
Tony Child has news of the return of a much loved summer event in the UK this July – a great networking opportunity for school leaders and other supporters of international schools.
Professor Deborah Eyre argues that a coherent teaching and learning framwork should be in place from day 1 of any new international school. Easier said than done. Here’s her advice.
Anna Azarova is the PR manager at the British International School Ukraine. Her account of an epic trip from Ukraine across Europe with her friend’s son in her care received a standing ovation at the 2022 COBIS conference in London. But as she suggests, her story is a sign of needs to come for children in Ukraine.
The annual COBIS conference took place in London as a hybrid event in May. At a time of such change, it was important to get people together again, as Andy Homden reports.
Stephen Priest, Principal of the British International School of Tbilisi and Chair of Black Sea Schools Group looks at the heroism of colleagues in Ukraine and how schools have been supporting each other.
It seems we are now constantly dealing with the effects of local and global uncertainty. Milena Prodanić Tišma describes how one school in Zagreb helped children to cope after two earthquakes during lockdown.
A recent global survey by Tes shows international schools are meeting staff wellbeing needs pretty well, although more can always be done. Jon Romer-Lee reports.
If it is becoming increasingly tough to recruit, it has become doubly important to retain great staff. Simon Dunford looks at building a school’s reputation as a good employer in the age of social media.
Following on from the article in the February 2022 issue of ITM by Diane Jacoutot, which highlighted how the recruitment market is now going to be tougher than ever, what should, or what can schools do to give themselves a competitive edge?
Prospective teachers, like parents, are a key audience for what is being said about any school. If you can’t attract the right teachers, a school’s potential to attract new families is massively diminished.
Competition for staff is undoubtedly going to be increasingly tough. As a school, you need to set yourself ahead of the pack: having an historical reputation for excellence in education will not alone cut it if you also have a parallel reputation for not actually being a great place to work.
The undeniable fact is that teachers talk. They talk to each other, both within the school and with teachers from different schools, locally and globally. In the internet age this is so easy with different social and sharing platforms and forums.
Teachers discuss how they are treated and valued by employers; they discuss the effectiveness of the leadership. In all industries, and education is no different, the expertise and behaviour of leadership can be the number 1 reason for workplace dissatisfaction and people leaving organisations.
People don’t leave bad companies. They leave bad leaders
Betsy Allen-Manning
On the internet, the sort of questions that are being asked about schools are:
These types of questions are asked before people even decide to apply for a position or join a school. Schools, in this tougher recruitment market, need to ensure that they also have a great reputation as an employer.
Even when finances are tight, they must prioritise finding a way to offer the very best recruitment packages possible. Money is always going to be important – most people ultimately work to earn the best living possible. So, to attract the highest level of quality applicants, you must be offering packages that are attractive.
Never move the goal posts. You must also protect the attractive packages that you have offered. A surefire way to erode trust and respect from you as an employer (and ‘encourage’ people to leave) is by making negative changes to your employment packages and conditions (salary/benefit/holiday changes). The news of you doing so will spread like wildfire across the internet and will do a huge amount of damage to your reputation as a trusted, supportive and ethical employer.
If restructuring is necessary – and it sometimes is – do things as transparently as possible. If you surprise your staff, the online backlash might be difficult to contain.
While financial rewards are often a primary motivator in the recruitment challenge, it is not the only thing and there are plenty of other ways that you can make your school an attractive place to join.
Having the right culture is so crucial in everything that you do and, therefore, can achieve. Make sure that your leadership has created a strong culture within the school and staff that actively promotes, nurtures and protects –
Having a focus on providing excellent professional development opportunities for your staff can be an excellent way of showing that you value your staff and want to support their growth.
Ensure that the working conditions for your staff is appropriate. This might sound too obvious to mention but, whilst you are paying for your staff to provide you with a service, do everything you can to avoid staff burnout. Provide them with the best tools that you can to enable them to do their job. Actively look after their health and well-being.
Some ways you can demonstrate that you value your staff (other than uplifts in pay and benefits):
Consider:
The bottom line here is that recruiting the best people is now going to be harder than ever before. Schools need to actively be promoting themselves as, and get a genuine reputation for, being a great place to work. Schools should be aiming to have people discussing and sharing online, things like, “They are really good to their staff; it is apparently a great place to work”.
Author and CEO of Dumond Education, Simon Dunford is an experienced educator with over 25 years’ experience in teaching, leadership and advisory roles in many countries and regions worldwide.
Feature and support images: by geralt on Pixabay
According to Adrienne Waller there are very good reasons why BIPOC educators should consider the opportunities offered by working overseas.
Leading in an era of change
For Katie Tomlinson, addressing the gender disparity in school leadership is a matter of urgency. 7 steps are needed.
Is the future of learning in safe hands? Not unless we follow three imperatives according to Sir John Jones.
Dame Alison Peacock, considers the future of the profession during the post-Covid recovery.
Critical incidents cause distress. Responding in the wrong way makes things worse. Ian Gross looks at the issues..
Ever had that moment when your words lack meaning? Diana Osagie makes the case for 'the leadership pivot'.
According to Lord Jim Knight, dealing with Covid came at a cost, but ways to improve teacher wellbeing are also here.
The winning entry of the 2021 FOBISIA R4G Journalism competition from The British School in Tokyo
Often discussed, sometimes defined – but what does being internationally-minded really mean? Nalini Cook discusses the issue with Chris Allen and Anson Wong.
For Abigail Reed, a new report from UNESCO’s International Commission on the Futures of Education is a clarion call to action for international schools.
Timeless advice, especially for first-time international teachers, from leading recruiter, Andrew Wigford, about how to compare different salary and benefit packages.
According to Edvectus MD, Diane Jacoutot, international schools face a very tough year recruiting, with fewer teachers entering the market and many more needed.
A new report highlights key shifts in international school teacher recruitment and professional development. Anne Keeling has more.
Supporting projects in low-income contexts can reinforce inequalities between ‘supporters’ and ‘activists’ on the ground. EduSpots is a project based in Ghana that aims to address post-colonial issues head on. Cat Davison reports.
International educator, Dallin Bywater had not expected to become a Stay at Home Parent. It was the right choice, but not an easy one and led to a broader perspective on life.
Dr. Natasha Ridge looks at 5 questions you should ask about yourself and the school that offers you an interview – or a job.
At first there was a sense of loss, but Renee Rehfeldt thinks that Covid has made PD fairer and more accessible in international schools.
Nominations for the International School Awards 2022, hosted by ISC Research are open until 30th September. Anne Keeling reports.
Two keynotes. Two stories. One message about the future, and it might not be what you were expecting. Reflections on the COBIS 2021 conference from Andy Homden.
Dietitian and international teacher spouse Breanna Baildon knows what it’s like for busy teachers – but that’s why our eating habits have to change.
International schools are big businesses, and many are run ‘for profit’. Would teaching at a ‘for profit’ school be for you? Sadie Hollins has some pointers.
Anne Keeling looks at a recent White Paper published by ISC Research which provides insight into what parents are looking for in an international school this year.
According to Henry Wong, helping local staff understand the micro-culture in which they work is as essential as orientating new international staff when they arrive.
ITM’s Andy Homden reviews a new guide to international education, which should be on your reading list for 2021 if you are in the market for a new job in September.
Andy Homden looks at a competition for international schools that simply would not have happened without lockdown, and seems destined to grow quickly.
The coming of Spring is an important time in Slovenia, and local schools will play an even more important role in 2021 in preserving the traditions that mark this time of year, as Doroteja Kostanjevec reports.
Despite all the problems associated with Covid-19, Mansoor Ahmed reminds us that many longer term data point to further growth in international education. Egypt is a case in point.