Leadership Archives - ISC Research

Sustaining Schools Through Wellbeing, Values, and Culture

Jan 7, 2026 | ISL Magazine, Leadership, Wellbeing

This quarter’s ISL Magazine theme explores a question every school, regardless of context or curriculum, must eventually face: how can support for staff, students, and communities be sustained over time? Three contributors – Matthew Savage from The Mona Lisa Effect, Steven W. Edwards from Vega Schools, and Olivia Bugden from Hochalpines Institut Ftan (HIF) – approach this question from different angles, yet their insights reveal a shared imperative. For schools to truly flourish, they must treat wellbeing, values, and culture not as parallel initiatives but as interconnected forces shaping international education.

What is your Wellbeing Footprint?

Oct 14, 2025 | ISL Magazine, Leadership, Wellbeing

In this article, Matthew Savage challenges us, as school leaders, to apply to both our decisions and choices a simple litmus test. What might be the impact on the wellbeing of members of the school community, and how might we offset that?

Leading for Belonging: A Playbook for International School Leaders

Aug 7, 2025 | ISL Magazine, Leadership

At UNIS Hanoi, the Elementary Leadership Team leads with purpose, fostering belonging, trust, and inclusive decision-making across the school. By valuing diverse perspectives and the transformative power of joy and play, they aim to cultivate a thriving, collaborative learning environment for both students and educators.

Reimagining Pre K–12 Schools

Aug 7, 2025 | ISL Magazine, Leadership, Teaching & learning

Theodore J. Coburn argues that education must undergo a structural transformation to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. Moving beyond traditional models, he advocates for flexible, student-centred learning environments grounded in design principles such as competency-based progression, personalised instruction, and project-based inquiry.

Empowering Middle Leadership Through Structured Committees

Aug 7, 2025 | ISL Magazine, Leadership

Ildar Iliazov shares how Light International School Mombasa reimagined its leadership structure to empower educators beyond the senior team. Confronting the limitations of traditional, top-down leadership models, the school introduced a committee-based system that gives middle leaders meaningful roles in driving school improvement.

Strengthening International Schools Through Strategic Technology Leadership: Addressing Financial Constraints with Sustainable Solutions

Aug 7, 2025 | EdTech, ISL Magazine, Leadership

Wolfgang Soeldner explores how international schools can adopt remote-based technology leadership to balance innovation with financial sustainability. In a sector where resources are often stretched, models like “Tech Director as a Service” offer flexible, cost-effective solutions to support strategic planning, staff development, and integrated digital learning.

Agility in Education: Balancing Global Scope with Local Needs in International Schools

May 1, 2025 | ISL Magazine, Leadership

International school leaders must balance the global vision of their educational community with a deep responsiveness to local needs. Andrew Sherman and Zakaria Laaraj explain why agility is not just an organisational asset, but a critical component of sustainable success in the dynamic education landscape.

The EU AI Act: What International School Leaders Need to Know

May 1, 2025 | EdTech, ISL Magazine, Leadership

The EU AI Act is now in force, reshaping how artificial intelligence is governed across Europe. Matthew Wemyss unpacks the implications for international school leaders and outlines actionable steps to help schools navigate this evolving regulatory landscape.

 Enhancing Your School’s Global Profile Through Authentic Storytelling

May 1, 2025 | ISL Magazine, Leadership

As competition intensifies in international education, schools must find new ways to communicate their distinctiveness to prospective families. Independent reviews, such as those from The Good Schools Guide, offer a credible alternative to traditional channels. This article explores how three leading schools have successfully used such reviews to elevate their global profile and build trust with parents.

Building Global Recognition for Unique School Qualifications

Feb 6, 2025 | Future pathways, ISL Magazine, Leadership

Many international schools worldwide share a common challenge: ensuring their unique educational offerings gain recognition from top universities worldwide. Dr Steffen Sommer discusses Misk Schools’ pioneering diploma programme that has bridged local and international education standards.

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