PUBLICATION
International School Leader Magazine
Latest issue – August 2025
August 2025
WELCOME
As a new academic year begins, international schools around the world are embracing fresh opportunities to support and empower their communities. At ISC Research’s Annual Conference this July, we explored how meaningful relationships are key to navigating complexity and creating lasting impact for students
That theme continues in this edition of ISL Magazine. Our contributors offer powerful insights into how schools are fostering belonging, developing student agency, and responding with intention to evolving needs. From multilingual support to middle leadership, recruitment to sustainable community partnerships, the stories within this issue reflect the innovation and care shaping international education today.
In the busy months ahead, we hope this issue provides space for reflection and inspiration; and a reminder that connection is at the heart of great teaching and leadership.
Adam Gray-Sims
Editor
In this issue
How do you enjoy reading our magazine? We keep options open for you! You can access all articles featured in the latest issue below, or download a PDF version via the ISC Community. If you’ve not already done so, click here to sign up!
Leading for Belonging: A Playbook for International School Leaders
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. Read more
The Critical Incident Office: Supporting Students and Staff during Experiential Learning Programs
Nicolas Forde highlights the Critical Incident Office as a key element of effective risk management, enabling experiential learning programmes to operate with confidence through clear protocols, collaborative decision-making, and a culture of transparency. Read more
Empowering Through Education: A Sustainable Community Engagement Initiative at Pathways School Noida
Vivek Mukherjee shares how Pathways School Noida’s collaboration with Sai Bal Sansar blends service and learning through a sustained Creativity, Activity, Service initiative. By teaching and engaging with children from underprivileged backgrounds, students not only address educational disparities but also develop empathy, leadership, and academic skills through community-focused learning. Read more
How International Schools Can Help Multilingual Learners Find Their Voice
Laura Spargo explores practical strategies for supporting multilingual learners in international schools. She highlights inclusive, whole-school approaches – such as translanguaging, visual aids, and pre-teaching vocabulary – that help integrate language development into everyday learning. Read more
Skate, Collaborate, Persevere: An Innovative Approach to Social and Emotional Learning
Matt Magowan highlights the role of Physical Education in fostering social and emotional learning, aligning with the OECD Future of Education 2030 report's call for holistic education. He describes how perseverance strategies are developed through activities like skateboarding and reinforced through cross-curricular approaches that integrate storytelling, collaboration, and transferable skills. Read more
Reimagining Pre K–12 Schools
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. Read more
Empowering Middle Leadership Through Structured Committees
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. Read more
From Trial to Triumph: How We Hired Two Great Teachers in Just 14 Days
Recruiting international teachers can be complex and time-consuming, but Generations International School in Macau found success using Teacher Horizons’ Explorer tool. In just 14 days, they hired two aligned, qualified educators, showing how the right platform can streamline recruitment and build stronger school communities. Read more
Strengthening International Schools Through Strategic Technology Leadership: Addressing Financial Constraints with Sustainable Solutions
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. Read more
Students Owning Their Futures: Schools as Launchpads
Pratikshya Bhandari and Katy Munden Hays share how Kopila Valley School is redefining the role of education for students facing adversity. Through its Futures Program, the school offers personalised career guidance, life skills, mentorship, and post-secondary support—empowering students to make informed, confident choices and become leaders in their communities. Read more
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