The International Schools Network

In this episode of 5 Takes, international school leader Kenneth Bence shares five practical strategies educators can use to take their first steps into school leadership. Take 1: Make it known what your goals are and seek out a mentor Make your leadership aspirations known and seek a mentor who can provide guidance, support, and opportunities aligned with your goals. Take 2: Facilitate workshops a...

Michael Southern-Augustine unpacks the importance of effective assessment and feedback in international schools, why it matters, the challenges schools face, and, importantly, how to do it well in practice. If you are interested in booking a meeting with Quest please register your interest here: https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/6U3A-M74/quest-isn Key Takeaways 1. Data shifts teaching from reactiv...

In this episode, Anna Bateman from Halcyon Education explores how schools can rebuild trust, strengthen relationships, and use leadership, data, and collaboration to create a sustainable culture of wellbeing for staff and students. Take 1, We’re in a Trust Recession “Trust recession” describes the decline in confidence across schools. Parents trust schools less, staff trust leadership less (Teache...

1. Be curious: learn about yourself Building strong networks and relationships starts with understanding yourself. What are your key strengths, and how can you use them effectively? Are there aspects of your personality you could develop further? As Socrates advised, “Know thyself.” Tools like the VIA Character Strengths survey and the 16 Personalities assessment can offer useful insights into you...

Take 1) Creating a Culture of mental health support Whatever role you play in a school or organization, it’s important for you and everyone you work with to be someone willing to act if a person may be in need of mental health support. This can be through starting a committee, facilitating a workshop, writing newsletters or any other way you can communicate and remind people of what to do if you a...

Drawing on her new book, Hannah Wilson, Director of The Belonging Effect, shares five practical insights on building belonging in schools. Take 1) Introduction: Why should we care about DEIB? It does not have to happen to you to matter to you. Understanding power and privilege. We need to stand up, speak out, show support for issues impacting others. Take 2) Belonging in Society: How do we develop...

Episode 1, 2026: John Dolman, The AI English Teacher – 5 Ways Students Can Use AI to Learn In this episode, we sit down with John Dolman, The AI English Teacher, who shares five practical ways students can use AI to enhance learning rather than shortcut it. Take 1: Have the Dialogue Start by simply talking with students about their AI use. Focus groups and surveys help uncover whether students are...

In this panel discussion, our experts highlight the impact of deepfakes, algorithm influence and provide supportive strategies to help students navigate the flood of misinformation online. Speakers: John Mikton – Digital Learning Facilitator, International School of Geneva John Dolman – The AI English Teacher; Media & English Teacher, Ponteland International School Christopher Blackwood – Head...

Safeguarding, mental health and well-being experts analyse the findings of Jonathan Haidt's ground-breaking book. Speakers Sian Jorgensen : Safeguarding Consultant and Trainer, International Schools Specialist, ©SAFE Interviewing Trainer Hayley Wilson : Deputy Head of Secondary School (Pastoral Community and Wellbeing) at Kellet School, The British International School in Hong Kong Anna Bateman :...

In this session, international school leaders and experts, Mark Leppard MBE, Damian Bacchoo, Jarrett Brown and Jamie Ganley delve into Personalised CPD for Teachers' Growth and School Success, sponsored by our partner The National College. Personalised CPD is reshaping how international schools approach professional learning. When educators take ownership of their growth and leaders empower their...

In this episode, Jarrett Brown, Secondary Principal at ISA International Education Group, shares best practices for fostering meaningful and engaging language learning. Take 1) Go back to basics: Get students to practice in the classroom as much as possible because they won’t have opportunities elsewhere. Take 2) Library meets students' expectations: Having books appropriate for the language level...

In this episode, Abigail Alexis-Olubuyide, Head of Primary at The British School of Beijing, explores how Martin Seligman’s PERMA Model can be used to foster a culture of flourishing. 5 takes 1) Positive Emotions Create Upward Spirals 2) Engagement Flows Through Strengths 3) High-Trust Relationships Underpins Flourishing 4) Connect to a Higher Purpose Through Meaning 5) Frame Accomplishments as Pr...

Cliona McMenamin, Head of Careers and Teacher of Mathematics at Dubai College, shares the importance of embedding well-being in careers education. 1) Start with Self-Discovery, Not Decision-Making Most careers programmes jump too quickly to the “what” (university courses or job titles) before helping students understand the “who.” When students explore their strengths, values and motivations first...

In this episode of 5 Takes, counsellor and coach Micheline Foss explores how educators can recharge by recognising what supports them and replenishing areas that need care. Breaking Down Resilience: The 5 Buckets Resilience isn’t one thing—it has 5 capacities: Physical/Behavioral: Habits to overcome difficulty Cognitive: Ability to interpret and manage events Emotional: Tolerance for negative emot...

In this episode, Martin Boother, Vice Principal at Azerbaijan British College, shares five key takes on investing in your teams and unlocking the full potential of every staff member. 5 Takes: 1) Getting to know them as people not just staff members: 2) Listening needs to be your superpower 3) Don’t look for what isn’t there but what is 4) It’s not all about you - build them up 5) Be prepared to l...

In this episode of the 5 takes podcast, Stephen Feeney, Founder of the Flourishing Man, shares his insights on how to build confidence and best support boys in school. 5 takes: 1) Confidence and positive behaviour go hand-in-hand. 2) A lack of positive role models is a myth 3) Celebrate strengths and not behaviour 4) Boys need safe spaces for honest conversations 5) The term 'Toxic Masculinity' ne...

In this latest episode of 5 Takes, Head of Curriculum Support, Daniela Selhuber shares practical strategies for supporting multilingual learners. Take 1: Establish a Clear, Shared Framework for Language Development Clarity and consistency are key. Schools that adopt frameworks such as the Bell Foundation EAL Assessment Framework or WIDA can move from reactive provision to proactive and targeted su...

Experienced Languages and English International Teacher, Suzzanne Pautler shares 5 takes on how to enact design-thinking to bring learning to life. Take 1) Because of design thinking, my students read, wrote, and spoke with a purpose. Title: Student Choice and Voice. Students focused on actual problems or issues they witnessed in their daily lives at school and at home. In their process to problem...

1) Do Your Homework as much as you can before you arrive: 1-2 minute explanation: Read up as much as you can in the appointment process and certainly in the time you have before you take up the role from Day 1. Know the school’s history, its vision and values, its strong points, its USP, and look at who you will be working with in your team and board. You don’t really get this time again once you...

Take 1) Digital Tools Boost Learning Outcomes Research shows that digital learning tools can enhance student achievement. In my own teaching, students use Quizlet to create flashcards and revise topics before assessments. This active repetition helps reinforce knowledge and improve recall. These tools support personalized learning, allowing students to study at their own pace and target their weak...

For this interview, we are joined by Daniela Selhuber : Head of Curriculum Support at Taylor's International School - Kuala Lumpur, to explore Personalised Learning & Inclusive Pedagogy - specifically through an EAL lens Key Themes: Supporting EAL Learners in the Classroom Identifying and Supporting SEND in EAL Students Parental Engagement EdTech & Learning Support Procurement & Priori...

Laura Mitchelson from Veritas Wild, specialists in strategic HR for schools, presents five forward-thinking takes on professional development that are designed to remain effective both today and in the next five years. Take 1) We demand that people don’t get access to PD unless they ask for it Take 2) We get creative about what PD can be Take 3) We measure the impact of all PD Take 4) We offer mul...

The leaders from our recent ISN Live event, Matthew Burfield, Lauren Binnington and Lucinda Willis answer a selection of your questions in this bonus Q&A session. Questions How do you tackle performance issues and ensure your communication is both clear and compassionate? Do you have any advice on how to manage relationships when you feel unable to have open conversations? How can a team colla...

In the latest episode of 5 Takes, award-winning educator and author Edd Moore explores practical and fun ways to incorporate sustainability into the primary school curriculum. 5 Takes Take 1) Eco Warriors Take 2) Culture is King/Queen Take 3) Environmental Projects Take 4) Involving Community Take 5) Embed Sustainability across the curriculum Links Find more about Edd's work and book release here:...

Sponsored by the International Curriculum Association, senior leaders and subject experts explore ways in which international schools can help achieve the UN SDGs 2030. Key themes: Examples of successfully integrated sustainability projects and initiatives. The role of student voice and agency in shaping a school's sustainability agenda. The role of global citizenship and collaboration with local...