PUBLICATION
International School Leader Magazine
Latest issue – May 2025
May 2025
WELCOME
As exam season approaches, many international schools find themselves navigating that familiar combination of intensity and anticipation. But amid the academic focus, this time of year also offers a chance to reflect on the wider developments shaping our schools and our sector.听听
This issue of ISL Magazine explores the breadth of leadership required to meet today鈥檚 challenges and opportunities. From navigating the implications of the EU AI Act to strengthening school-home alignment, our contributors reflect the diverse roles all international school leaders play.听
奥别鈥檙别 also proud to spotlight several winners of the 2025 International School Awards, including Concordia International School Shanghai, Nexus International School Malaysia, and Cogdel Cranleigh School Changsha. Their stories on student-led service and school-wide commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals are powerful examples of leadership in action, and an inspiration to the wider international school community.听
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,
How Student-Led Service Initiatives Create Lasting Impact
Dr Christopher Mizel discusses Xiaohusai, a student-led social enterprise founded by high school students at Concordia International School Shanghai. By addressing challenges of economic inequity among tea farmers and limited educational access for their children, the project has become a model for how student empowerment can drive sustainable, high-impact change.听 Read more
Committing to Sustainable Development Goals as a Community
Madeleine Proud presents Nexus International School Malaysia鈥檚 award-winning Global Goals Day, a sustainability initiative that empowers learners to embrace global citizenship through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Read more
Earlier is Better When It Comes to Preparing Students for Study Abroad
Effective preparation for studying abroad should begin well before high school, allowing students the time to build the skills, confidence, and support systems essential for success in a new academic and cultural setting. Sylvia Pryor explores the key considerations for early planning, drawing on insights from schools and students to guide those pursuing a truly global education. Read more
Agility in Education: Balancing Global Scope with Local Needs in International Schools
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. Read more
Creating a Culture of Sustainability at Cogdel Cranleigh School Changsha
Sustainability has become an urgent priority for schools worldwide. Adam McRoy discusses the meaningful steps听Cogdel Cranleigh School Changsha (CCSC) has taken to embed environmental stewardship into their school culture. Their award-winning initiative, the CCSC Sustainability Pledge, is a student-led programme designed to instil responsible environmental habits.听 Read more
Philosophy for Children: Supporting Students in Oracy and Future Competencies听听
International educators are increasingly seeking innovative approaches to spark meaningful, student-led dialogue beyond the standard curriculum. For Oanh Crouch at Globeducate, Philosophy for Children (P4C) emerged as a structured approach to nurturing students' philosophical inquiry. The initiative aims to equip learners not just with knowledge, but with the skills to think critically, express ideas clearly, and collaborate thoughtfully with others. Read more
Guiding Schools Through Digital Transformation: Practical Insights from the Frontlines of EdTech
International schools face a common problem: too many technology choices, too little guidance. A school may have an excellent EdTech tool in place, but without sufficient training, integration, and teacher buy-in, its impact is severely limited. Laurie Forcier of EDT&Partners explores how critical it is to bridge this gap and ensure that digital solutions are meaningfully embedded into teaching and learning. Read more
The EU AI Act: What International School Leaders Need to Know
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. Read more
Designing School-小蓝视频 Alignment: What We Learned from Parent FAQs鈥
Parents are deeply invested in their child鈥檚 academic journey, yet they may struggle to align their expectations with the school鈥檚 approaches to learning.鈥 Gemma Archer discusses British International School Hanoi's strategic approach to develop a structured and proactive model for parent engagement, using parent FAQs and wellbeing data. Read more
鈥疎nhancing Your School鈥檚 Global Profile Through Authentic Storytelling
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. Read more
Empowering Future-Ready Learners with the Idea Loom Framework
Education stands at a crossroads. Traditional models often emphasise theory over practice, leaving students underprepared for today鈥檚 complex global challenges. For Srilakshmi Reddy, the Idea Loom framework responds to this gap by equipping students to think critically, act empathetically, and develop sustainable, real-world solutions through community-based engagement. Read more
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