ISC Research recently hosted an online panel discussion addressing the challenge of recruitment and staff development in international schools. Our panel of experts from international schools and expert partners highlighted the rising importance of diversity, equality, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) when recruiting new employees in international schools.
Embracing DEIJ within the entire school community
The panellists discussed the importance of embracing DEIJ within all recruitment roles and positions, discussing how to approach this to benefit the entire school community. Pauline O’Brien, Director of Global Recruitment at International School Services, said “How do we make it safe? How do we also address diversity, equity and inclusion with all teachers coming into our schools? I think our schools are doing a lot of work around looking at themselves closely to see if they are a community that really welcomes everyone. And I think we have to continue to look at that in our practices around DEIJ”.
The webinar discussion addressed the need to increase talent pools and to open up opportunities for all educators. Our panellists highlighted how schools can begin along a DEIJ-focused recruitment process by continuing to develop their own cultural competence and developing this culture across the school community. No one culture should define how things are done, was the key message.
Changes in recruitment
ISC Research has published a new report addressing the recruitment and development of teachers and leaders within the international school sector. Some of the research findings for this report reflect the webinar discussion. The report highlights that 67% of recruitment agencies surveyed said DEIJ strategy skills are now sought-after for international school leadership positions.
The report also explores other skills now in demand by international schools. For example, teachers with proficiency in using technology to support learning are increasingly valued, as are teachers with experience of supporting student wellbeing, special educational needs, diversity, and inclusion.
More details of this report are available here.
It is positive to see that DEIJ is increasingly a priority for school leaders when it comes to recruitment, and that changes are being implemented in some international schools to become more culturally intelligent communities.
Expert advice
The webinar also discussed how schools are responding to other market shifts impacting recruitment and CPD, and the panellists including Dr Vincent Chian, Principal of Fairview International School, Dr Siobhan Mellor, Director of Real Group and Dr Marianne Yong-Macdonald, Group Head, Teacher Professional Learning and Development at International Schools Partnership Limited, offered some good practice as well as expert advice to schools. If you missed this webinar, you can view a recording of this session on our YouTube channel here.
