School Improvement → Dr Jake Madden

Modern School Leadership That Lasts Beyond the Buzzwords

In the face of rising expectations and constant change, school leaders need more than quick fixes. Better Tomorrow Than You Today offers grounded strategies for modern school leadership focusing on deep change, teacher empowerment, personalised learning, and sustainable improvement. Based on lived experience across schools in Australia and abroad, this book is a practical guide to leading with purpose and making real progress that lasts.

Modern school leadership can feel overwhelming. Rising expectations, shrinking time, and constant demands create pressure that wears down even experienced leaders.

That’s why I wrote Better Tomorrow Than You Today. It’s for those who want school improvement to stick, not just survive another cycle of initiatives.

This book shares real stories from schools in Australia and internationally. Each chapter is a reflection grounded in practice. It is aimed at helping you take action, not just read theory.

Driving real change

Too often, we chase surface-level fixes. A new strategy here, a framework there, yet the core structures of the school remain untouched.

The book argues for second-order change. This means reshaping how your school thinks, learns, and leads. It focuses on building conditions where improvement is part of daily life.

Empowering teachers

Improvement starts with teachers. The book explores how modern school leadership can create job-embedded learning, inquiry-based practice, and shared growth.

Rather than delivering PD, it’s about building a culture where teachers study their impact, test their ideas, and grow together.

Implementing personalised learning

The factory model of education no longer fits. Today’s students need teaching that responds to their needs, interests, and pace.

Through practical examples, I show how schools can redesign timetables, assessments, and team structures to support personalised learning in real ways.

Building a strong foundation

Lasting school improvement isn’t luck, it’s built on five clear pillars:

High quality teaching and learning
Supporting and motivating staff
Servant leadership and community
Aligned systems and structures
A focus on learning and wellbeing

Each pillar includes prompts to assess what’s working, what’s fragile, and what to address next.

The leader’s mindset

A key theme across the book is that leaders must grow, too. Modern school leadership demands study, reflection, and a clear sense of purpose.

By staying grounded, open, and learning-focused, leaders influence others and help shape schools that get better every day.

If you want a practical resource grounded in lived experience, Better Tomorrow Than You Today is for you.

👉 Get the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/Better-Tomorrow-Than-You-Today/dp/B09DN3BV4F

Final thought

What’s one area of school improvement you most want to strengthen this year?

Leadership Echo and Organisational Culture

Discover how the leadership echo shapes organisational culture. Your words ripple—what you say becomes what others repeat and believe.

The leadership echo is more powerful than most leaders realise. You can spend days refining strategy, setting goals, and crafting culture. But sometimes, it’s the offhand remark, “I wonder if…” that reshapes your entire organisation.

The leadership echo refers to how your words ripple through a team. They don’t stop at the person you said them to. They bounce, repeat, and scale, sometimes far beyond your intent.

When Small Comments Shift Big Things

I once watched a senior leader casually mention that a competitor’s website looked sharp. There was no directive, no project assigned. But within weeks, the marketing team had initiated a full website refresh. That’s the leadership echo at work: curiosity misread as command, especially when teams are stretched and hungry for direction.

Your Language Builds Culture

Words like:

“We don’t point fingers here,” promote accountability.
“What did we learn?” encourages safety and growth.
Silence, sarcasm, or frustration can echo too.

Even your tone teaches. Whether you mean to or not, your words signal what’s safe, valued, and rewarded. That’s how culture is formed, through language in motion.

The Science Behind the Echo

Social transmission is not anecdotal. It’s real. Emotions and behaviours spread through networks. Feedback echoes. Praise multiplies. So does stress. That’s why recognition should be visible and repeated and why a single moment of irritation can stall momentum for weeks.

How to Tune Into Your Echo

Want to understand your leadership echo? Try this:

Pulse check: Ask, “What message from leadership stuck this week?”
Signal clarity: Are your metaphors and one-liners echoed accurately?
Signal distortion: Are people acting on what you meant or what they think you meant?

Lead with Intentional Echo

Great leaders don’t micromanage their language. But they do choose it with care. Repeat themes. Reinforce clarity. Be intentional.

Ask yourself:

What do I want my team to believe about risk, effort, or failure?
What short phrases will I repeat until they stick?
What cultural norms am I setting with my everyday language?

Because whether you’re in the boardroom or the break room… they’re listening. And they’re repeating.

What’s Your Echo?

Have you ever had a throwaway line take on a life of its own?

Share a story where the leadership echo helped or hindered your culture. Let’s learn from each other.

Trust, Influence, and the Power of Shared Leadership in Schools

Aoba’s evolution into a connected learning community emphasizes distributed leadership built on trust and meaningful relationships. Leadership now focuses on enabling others and fostering collaboration rather than control. The aim is to create environments where ownership and professional growth thrive, guided by shared values and a commitment to student learning and wellbeing.

As Aoba continues to grow from a group of schools into a connected learning community, I’ve been thinking deeply about what leadership looks like in this evolving phase. It’s not just a matter of updating structures or roles. At its core, this shift is about building trust, strengthening relationships, and expanding influence in meaningful ways. The move toward a more layered and distributed model is not about control. It’s about enabling others to lead with clarity, purpose, and confidence.

In this post, I want to share how my own leadership thinking is evolving. Because real change doesn’t come from frameworks alone. It comes from people. Their voice, their agency, and the quality of the trust we build together.

From Control to Culture

Leadership used to mean setting direction and managing tasks. But the complexity of modern schools asks something different of us. It asks for leadership that creates conditions where others thrive. It’s less about holding the answers and more about helping the right questions surface.

At Aoba, we’re shaping leadership as a shared practice. Teachers and middle leaders are not just executing plans; they are shaping them. We are building a culture where decisions are informed by those closest to the learning. This is not delegation for convenience. It is intentional distribution, grounded in expertise and aligned with purpose.

This only works when trust is present. Without trust, what should feel like empowerment can feel like abandonment. Collaboration becomes compliance. Innovation struggles to take root.

Building Trust as a Daily Practice

Trust is not something declared. It is something built, gradually and deliberately. It is shaped by how we listen, how we follow through, and how we respond under pressure. In this more system-wide role, I’ve come to see that influence does not come from position alone. It comes from relationships. From credibility earned through consistency, empathy, and integrity.

That’s why much of my leadership now is about listening and supporting, not directing. It’s slower, yes, but it is more sustainable. The more we invest in these daily interactions, the more we strengthen the fabric of our school group.

Distributed Leadership Rooted in Learning

We’ve all experienced the version of distributed leadership that lives in theory only. Titles without influence. Meetings without change. What we’re working toward is more authentic. We want leadership that is deeply connected to learning and professional growth.

Our coordinators are shaping curriculum, not just managing it. Our team leaders are anchoring learning communities, not just ticking boxes. This isn’t about easing the load for school heads. It’s about expanding leadership around the things that matter most for our students and staff.

Trust Shifts the Conversation

When trust is present, everything changes. Learning communities become spaces of professional dialogue. Feedback becomes a shared tool for improvement. Teams step forward with ownership, not because they are told to, but because they are trusted to.

None of this happens by accident. We are being deliberate about how leadership is shaped, how we communicate across campuses, and how we reinforce clarity in our shared goals. Distributed leadership still needs coherence. It benefits from having a shared centre of gravity and a clear set of values.

Context Matters, Values Guide

Each Aoba campus has its own culture and context. Our leadership must adapt to these realities. But while approaches may vary, our values remain constant. We lead with learning at the centre. We prioritise trust in every relationship. We see leadership as a collective responsibility.

Good leadership balances clarity with flexibility. It protects alignment while allowing for local agency. And it ensures that every decision, no matter where it’s made, supports student learning and wellbeing.

A Shared Responsibility for the Road Ahead

As you follow my journey at Aoba, I invite each of you to reflect:

Where are you building influence in your role?
How are you creating trust in your daily interactions?
Are your leadership actions moving learning forward?
What more can we do together to grow a culture of authentic, shared leadership?

Our future depends not just on good design, but on strong relationships. I encourage you to continue to lead in ways that bring out the best in your teams and keep your focus where it belongs: on the growth of every learner in your care.

Because when leadership is rooted in trust and guided by shared values, we do more than run schools. We grow a thriving learning community.

Ensuring Authenticity in the Age of AI: Redesigning Assessment for a Human Touch

Discover how to ensure authentic learning in the age of AI by redesigning assessments that highlight student thinking, voice, and ethical use of technology.

Why Authentic Learning Matters More Than Ever

We are living in a time where machines can write essays, solve problems, and even mimic human creativity. This changes everything. It raises a fundamental question: How do we ensure authentic learning in the age of AI?

In this AI-saturated landscape, traditional methods of assessment fall short. To keep learning real and meaningful, we must adapt. The goal? Designing assessments that machines can’t fake — assessments that reveal the human behind the answer.

It is not enough to have policies. Yes, we need:

A clear position on when and how AI can be used.
AI positioned as a thinking partner, not a shortcut.
Full disclosure — students must cite the tools they use.

But these are just starting points. The real work lies deeper.

We must redesign assessments to bring students’ thinking to the surface. We need to make learning visible — in ways AI cannot fake.

Authenticity means seeing the student’s fingerprints on the work. It means capturing:

The student’s voice — their ideas, passions, and questions.
The thinking process — how they struggle, adapt, and grow.
The moral choices — how they use AI ethically, not mindlessly.

How do we do it? We change the design:

Document the Journey: Students show the messy, human path of learning — drafts, reflections, AI prompts used, mistakes made, lessons learned.
Reflections Built In: Students explain how they thought, why they chose certain paths, and what role AI played.
Talk it Out: Conversations, interviews, presentations. Dynamic, real-time demonstrations of learning.
Creative Problem Solving: Assessments that demand new ideas, not perfect answers.

This is not about policing students. It’s about raising the stakes — making learning matter again.

When students own their thinking, when they stand behind their work, when they use AI wisely — that’s when we know we’re getting it right.

In a world where answers are everywhere, meaningful learning must be unmistakably human.

Rebooting Education: A Call for Transformational Leadership

Explore the transformative landscape of education in 2024! Here is a brief reflection into the shifts, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of learning. From embracing innovative teaching methods to navigating the digital frontier, join us on a journey towards a learner-centric tomorrow

In recent years, the schooling landscape has undergone rapid educational transformation, redefining the role of educators worldwide. As we close the chapter on 2023, every school leader must reflect on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in preparing students for an unpredictable future.

Despite continuous calls to shift from traditional teaching to learner-centric methodologies that develop essential future skills, momentum for teacher reform has stalled. The time for educational transformation is now—leaders must step up, rethink priorities, and take decisive action.

Why Is Educational Transformation Urgent?

1. Shifting Towards Future-Ready Learning

Education is no longer about mass instruction designed for the industrial age. Today, students must develop:
✔ Communication and collaboration skills
✔ Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities
✔ Initiative, adaptability, and self-management

To remain relevant, schools must align learning with global workforce trends and societal needs.

2. Overcoming Barriers to Change

Many countries have revised their national curricula to emphasise 21st-century skills. However, bureaucratic constraints, rigid policies, and outdated accountability measures often hinder innovation.

“You don’t lose weight by constantly weighing yourself.”

For educational transformation to succeed, school leaders need the autonomy to drive creativity and innovation.

3. Redefining the Role of the Teacher

With the rise of artificial intelligence and digital learning, the role of educators is shifting from content delivery to student facilitation. Teachers must transition into:
* Coaches who guide student inquiry
* Enablers who support self-directed learning
* Mentors who cultivate critical thinking and adaptability

Without the right training and resources, this shift remains a challenge.

Collaboration: The Key to Educational Transformation

Transforming education requires a collective effort from all stakeholders:
* Educators and administrators—to implement and sustain change
* Parents and communities—to support and reinforce learning
* Business and civic leaders—to align education with real-world needs
* Students—to take ownership of their learning

Visionary leadership is essential in bringing these groups together to reshape education for a digital, interconnected world.

A Model for Change: Aoba’s Educational Transformation

Aoba, a multi-campus K–12 and university group in Japan, provides a powerful example of innovation in education. Their approach focuses on:
✔ Strategic leadership and school culture
✔ Student-centred teaching and learning
✔ Building adaptable learning environments
✔ Ensuring economic sustainability and engagement

At Aoba, educators embed essential skills—teamwork, communication, technology proficiency, and global citizenship—directly into the curriculum. Learning is project-based and application-driven, ensuring students graduate ready for the world beyond school.

Call to Action: Transforming Education in 2024

Preparing students for an uncertain future demands:
* Bold leadership that champions innovation
* A fundamental redefinition of the teacher’s role
* Collaborative learning environments that break traditional boundaries

Educational transformation is challenging, but essential. Schools that prioritise time, training, and resources for teacher collaboration and innovation will thrive.

The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the urgent need for change, proving that teachers continually take on more responsibilities without the necessary structural reforms.

The future of education depends on visionary leadership and action.

Here’s to a new and improved 2024!

Aligning School Improvement with Vision and Values

One of my first priorities in a new leadership role was collaborating with principals and campus heads. Through recent workshops with senior school leaders, one idea became clear: the most effective way to drive change is to anchor school improvement with vision. When improvement strategies are grounded in a school’s vision, mission, and values, they gain purpose, direction, and long-term impact.

The Moral Compass of School Leadership

A school’s vision, mission, and values are more than statements on a website—they are its moral and intellectual compass. These guiding principles influence every decision, action, and improvement initiative.

By aligning school improvement with vision, school leaders:
✔ Strengthen collective purpose among staff
✔ Create continuity between current efforts and future aspirations
✔ Ensure strategic decisions are mission-driven, not reactive

This alignment fosters a culture where everyone owns the journey of improvement.

Building Strategic Action Plans

Improvement plans should not exist in isolation. They must be woven into the school’s vision and mission, acting as a bridge between everyday tasks and long-term goals.

When school leaders align action plans with their school’s values, they:
📌 Use resources more effectively
📌 Establish clear, consistent goals
📌 Keep improvement efforts focused and sustainable

Using KPIs to Measure Progress

To move from intention to impact, schools must use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). When derived from the vision and mission, KPIs ensure progress remains purposeful.

Aligned KPIs help schools:
✔ Track success with tangible evidence
✔ Motivate staff and students through visible achievements
✔ Reinforce the values that define the school’s identity

Analysing Data Through a Vision-Aligned Lens

In today’s digital world, schools are rich in data. Yet data alone doesn’t drive improvement. What matters is how data is analysed and applied.

During the workshops, we explored how school leaders can:
📊 Analyse trends in light of their school’s vision
📊 Identify gaps that prevent progress
📊 Prioritise initiatives that move the school toward its aspirations

When data is viewed through a vision-aligned lens, strategic clarity emerges.

Keeping Students at the Centre

While systems, structures, and strategies are essential, the heart of every school is its students. True improvement means creating better learning environments, not just better plans.

School leaders must:
👂 Listen to student voices
💬 Respond to their needs
💡 Shape improvement strategies around their well-being and growth

By placing students at the centre, school improvement with vision becomes human, inclusive, and meaningful.

Leading with Purpose into the New School Year

The leadership workshops helped principals see school improvement through a broader, more strategic lens. The message was clear: alignment is power.

When action plans, KPIs, and data analysis are all grounded in a school’s guiding values, change becomes not only possible, but sustainable. And when student voice and well-being remain central, that change becomes transformational.

As these school leaders begin the new year, they are ready to:
✔ Lead with purpose
✔ Transform with vision
✔ Inspire with values

This is school improvement with vision—and it’s the Aoba way.

The vision, mission, and values of a school constitute its moral and intellectual compass, guiding its actions, decisions, and pursuits. By channeling school improvement initiatives through this compass, principals ensure that every effort remains congruent with not only the overarching purpose of their school but also group wide. This alignment not only fosters a sense of purpose among staff members but also cultivates a collective ownership of the school’s journey towards progress.

When devising action plans for school improvement, it’s crucial to weave them intricately into the fabric of the school’s vision and mission. This integration creates a sense of continuity between the present and the envisioned future, offering a sense of direction that transcends daily challenges. With these strategic plans acting as a roadmap, school leaders can allocate resources, time, and energy effectively, amplifying the impact of their efforts.

Furthermore, the incorporation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) derived from the vision and mission helps quantify progress and success. These measurable benchmarks offer tangible evidence of the school’s advancement and serve as motivational milestones for both staff and students. Aligning KPIs with the core values ensures that progress is not only quantifiable but also in harmony with the school’s ethos.

In the digital age, data and assessment have become pivotal tools for informed decision-making. Schools are now equipped with an abundance of information that can guide improvement strategies. During the workshops, the significance of analysing this data within the context of the school’s vision was highlighted. This approach allows leaders to identify trends, strengths, and areas for growth that directly contribute to the realisation of the school’s aspirations.

Nevertheless, the essence of any educational institution resides in its students. Effective leadership necessitates a profound student-focused approach. The workshops emphasised that the alignment of school improvement initiatives with the vision, mission, and values should be complemented by a relentless commitment to student well-being and growth. Principals were advised to listen actively to students, engage with their perspectives, and tailor improvement strategies to address their needs. A student-centric approach ensures that the improvements resonate deeply within the student body and foster a positive and inclusive learning environment.

The workshops aimed to help school principals embrace a holistic view of leadership that encompasses strategic alignment with the school’s vision, mission, and values. The alignment ensures that every endeavour resonates with the school’s overarching purpose, propelling it forward with a unified sense of direction. The integration of action plans, KPIs, data analysis, and assessment within this framework further enhances the efficacy of improvement efforts. However, the heart of these initiatives remains a genuine and unwavering focus on the students. By continually seeking ways to enhance the student experience, school leaders ensure that every step taken is a step toward the realisation of the school’s broader educational goals.

As these leaders embark on the new school year, armed with insights from the workshops, they are poised to lead with purpose, transform with vision, and inspire with values – ultimately creating educational environments that flourish and empower both students and educators alike. It’s the Aoba way!

Effective Approaches to Support Staff in the New School Year

New school year, new beginnings. For principals, that means rolling up your sleeves and getting started on all the necessary tasks that will set you and your staff up for a successful school year. Determining the right approach to support staff in making this transition can make or break a principal’s leadership effectiveness throughout the school year.

There are three different approaches principals can take when engaging their staff at the start of a new school year: good, better, best.

The Good Approach – The “good” approach is exactly what it sounds like but rarely reaches its full potential because it lacks clarity from the principal. A principal might say, “We have a lot of work to do,” or “Let’s get organised,” but then immediately follow up with “Someone else can take care of that.” This approach leaves staff confused and overwhelmed and puts the principal in a reactive leadership role.

The Better Approach – The second option is to take a better approach. A principal implements practices such as department meetings, grade-level meetings, gathering feedback from staff regarding common needs during the summer break, and engaging teachers in preparing for the start of the new academic year. These types of activities help build an inclusive school culture and set out the school’s vision for the year in a clear manner. While this method improves upon not having any structure or action plan at all, its greatest strength — communicating expectations — also becomes its weakness when it comes to equipping staff to increase teacher capacity. Without involving teachers in determining desired outcomes, the principal’s vision lacks full buy-in and commitment by staff to improve teacher practice.

The Best Approach – The best approach is to engage staff in a deliberate way that sets them up for success while moving toward the school’s overall goal of increasing student achievement. A school leader can do this by following through on developing common visions for all students and providing opportunities for teachers to participate in various kinds of professional learning throughout the academic year, which will result in improved student achievement. This not only allows teachers the necessary time to learn new skills but also gives principals time to reflect on their role as instructional leaders.

In Summary

New school year, new beginnings. For principals, that means rolling up your sleeves and getting started on all the necessary tasks that will set you and your staff up for a successful school year. Determining the right approach to support staff in making this transition can make or break a principal’s leadership effectiveness throughout the school year. There are three different approaches principals can take when engaging their staff at the start of a new school year: good, better, best. What approach are you using?

Building a Positive School Culture Through Innovation

December last year I received an award from the International Schools Awards organisation. The award was for Best Innovation in Education. This innovation was squarely set on the shoulders of the Teacher as Researcher program and the building a culture of staff learning. This particular program has been instituted at my current school for the past three years.

In December last year, I was honoured to receive the Best Innovation in Education award from the International Schools Awards. This recognition stemmed from our work on the Teacher as Researcher program, which focuses on building a positive school culture through teacher collaboration and continuous learning. Over the past three years, this program has strengthened our school’s commitment to professional growth, fostering an environment where educators actively share expertise, refine teaching practices, and learn from one another.

The Power of Teacher Collaboration

Building a positive school culture goes beyond individual teacher development—it is about fostering a collaborative environment where educators work together to improve student outcomes. Education is inherently social, and when teachers connect, discuss, and reflect on their practices, learning is amplified.

At the heart of this transformation is the understanding that great teaching is not static. It evolves through peer collaboration, mentorship, and shared experiences. By creating structured opportunities for teachers to engage in professional dialogue, schools can accelerate innovation and enhance classroom practices.

The Four Pillars of a Strong School Culture

Over the years, I have found that school leaders can focus on four key pillars to effectively foster a positive school culture. These pillars serve as guiding principles in daily decision-making, professional development, and school-wide initiatives:

Commitment & Loyalty
- A thriving school culture requires dedicated educators who are deeply invested in their students’ success.
- Schools must nurture an environment where teachers feel valued, supported, and inspired to contribute.
Transparency & Efficiency
- Open communication strengthens trust within the school community.
- Clear expectations and efficient systems enable teachers to focus on high-impact teaching strategies.
Trust
- Trust is the foundation of strong professional relationships.
- When school leaders empower teachers and involve them in decision-making, they foster a culture of ownership and accountability.
Teamwork
- Schools thrive when teachers collaborate across subjects, grade levels, and leadership teams.
- Encouraging team-based problem-solving and shared leadership creates a dynamic and innovative learning environment.

For a more in-depth exploration of how these pillars support school improvement, you can refer to the article:
👉 Four Pillars to Building a Positive School Culture

A Call to Action for the New School Year

As we embark on a new academic year, building a positive school culture must remain a top priority for school leaders and educators alike. A school’s success is not just about policies or academic outcomes—it is about the people, the shared vision, and the collaborative spirit that drives continuous improvement.

By focusing on innovation, professional growth, and teamwork, we can create thriving school environments where both educators and students flourish.

How is your school fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation this year?

Learning for the Future – Building the Right Learning Environments

In recent years it seems every country has revised their curriculum articulating the knowledge and skills that students need for the new global workforce. With the close scrutiny that accompanies changes to current practice, the debate on quality and success follows. The consequence of such scrutiny has seen international comparative studies of student achievement, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment [PISA], been used as the performance reference. This focus is such that “a global competition in educational achievement in core subject matter areas like reading, arithmetic/mathematics and science” has emerged.

A 21st century curriculum is now a live issue in almost every education system. Governments revise curricula to describe the knowledge and skills students need for a changing workforce. With that change comes scrutiny, and debate about what “success” looks like.

International comparisons often shape that debate. The OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) measures how 15-year-olds use reading, mathematics, and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges, so it is often treated as a reference point. OECD+1

Why curriculum reform attracts so much debate

Curriculum is never neutral. It signals what a society values and what it rewards. When you change it, you change what teachers prioritise, what students practise, and what families expect.

Reform also raises a hard question. Are we strengthening core learning, or are we chasing the latest idea?

How PISA influences the conversation

PISA is not a curriculum, but it influences curriculum choices. It provides comparable data across countries and focuses on applied literacy in reading, mathematics, and science. In many places, headlines about rankings create pressure to “improve performance” quickly. OECD+1

Two cautions help here:

PISA is one lens, not the whole picture.
Test results can inform decisions, but they should not define the full purpose of schooling.

Designing a 21st century curriculum with skills and knowledge

Alongside PISA, many systems have pushed “future skills”. The Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21) framed this as a blend of strong core subjects and explicit skill development, shaped for a world where change is constant and learning never stops. ERIC+1

In practice, the 21st century curriculum is not a choice between knowledge and skills. It is about teaching knowledge in ways that build transfer, judgement, and independence. That requires deliberate planning, not wishful thinking.

Common skill areas to plan for

Most frameworks point to a similar set of skills that sit across subjects:

critical thinking and problem solving
collaboration and communication
creativity and innovation
digital and media literacy

Personalised learning environments: promise and pitfalls

Many schools responded to these pressures by redesigning learning spaces and programmes. Personalised learning environments can be powerful when they are designed around learning, not furniture.

The risk is surface change. The room looks modern, but classroom routines and expectations stay the same. If your teaching model does not change, the environment rarely changes outcomes.

If you have a short video that captured your school’s earlier vision, it can still be useful. Use it as a reflection tool. Ask what you would keep, what you would change, and what evidence you have gained since then.

Practical questions for school leaders

If you are leading curriculum review, use questions that keep you grounded:

1) What must every student know well?

Name the essential knowledge and the progression over time. Keep it tight, and protect it.

2) Which skills will we teach explicitly?

Do not assume skills appear by accident. Plan where they are taught, practised, and assessed.

3) How will we know it is working?

Use multiple measures. Include student work, teacher judgement, wellbeing data, and assessment results.

4) What will we stop doing?

A 21st century curriculum needs space. If everything stays, nothing improves.

A simple action plan for your next term

Map your curriculum aims to a small set of outcomes.
Audit where key skills are taught and assessed.
Review tasks and units for depth, not coverage.
Use PISA-style “real world” problems as one task type, not the only one.
Revisit learning spaces and technology to ensure they serve pedagogy.

A 21st century curriculum works best when it is coherent. It protects core knowledge, teaches skills on purpose, and gives teachers the time and tools to do great work.

A few years ago, as part of an educational refurbishment to attempt to meet the learning needs of the “millennials” as a means to develop the necessary capabilities and aptitudes to embrace the future, a personalised learning environment was created. This short video highlights our vision at the time. Time, and the explosion of personalised learning environments would indicate we were at the forefront of learning innovation.

Engineering the Future School

The responsibility for improving learning opportunities lies in the hands of all educators, teachers and school leaders together. With input from the plethora of opportunities from social networking the information shared delves deep into the world of online learning as a key vehicle for engaging students in their learning.

Online learning is transforming how students engage with education. The responsibility for improving learning doesn’t rest with teachers alone. School leaders, too, play a vital role in shaping environments where digital tools become meaningful parts of the learning experience.

Across networks, educators are sharing insights about online learning as a powerful way to build student agency. Digital platforms, from online projects to global collaborations and virtual expert visits, offer active, real-world opportunities for students to engage and learn.

From 20th Century Classrooms to Future-Focused Spaces

The challenge now lies in redesigning physical and pedagogical spaces. The 20th-century classroom wasn’t built for today’s learning demands. Leaders need to question how students learn, how teachers teach, and how schools use physical space.

The most engaged schools integrate online learning with real flexibility. That means adapting not only the tools we use, but also how we design curriculum. If our curriculum narrows under the weight of system and government accountability, we risk limiting student growth.

Embracing New Learning Models

New learning models like MOOCs and platforms such as Coursera are shaping what the future could look like. These initiatives show that learning can happen anywhere, anytime, and in many different ways. But schools must take these lessons and adapt them for younger learners.

There are two assumptions we must hold:

Every child can learn.
Learning won’t always happen at the same time, in the same way, or in the same place.

If we believe this, then we must act accordingly. It’s time to rethink how we structure, deliver, and support learning…. together.

The Greatest Gift Teachers Can Give Students

Students of the 21st century are constantly defined as being techno savvy and engaged in the digital world. Perhaps as Vicktor Frankl, a renowned psychiatrist explains in a 1972 presentation, our greatest gift as a teacher is to not only recognise the student’s search for meaning but help them become who they want to be.

This focus on learning is further explored in Sir Ken Robinson’s presentation at the 2010 TED conference. In the presentation Sir Ken discusses the need to transform learning to meet the needs of the digital learners. (His wristwatch reference is a clear example of what schools need to address when planning elearning experiences).

The greatest gift a teacher can give students is the provision of a personalised learning environment. Knowing that all children learn differently, at different times and in different circumstances. it is important that our schools create the conditions that engages all students in their learning.

…..and this is not an easy task!

Seeing Learning Through Students’ Eyes

If we as teachers begin to view the world from behind our learners’ eyes we will be able to build future learning environments. Looking at how our students interact outside the classroom provides an opportunity for us to learn about how we can improve the in class environments. The environments outside the classroom are student centred. Their ‘play’ environment allows quick flexibility for collaboration, working in small groups.

If we want to build meaningful learning environments, we must begin by seeing the world from our students’ point of view. Outside the classroom, learners are already engaging with the world by collaborating, sharing, and solving problems in flexible, student-centred ways. It’s time classrooms caught up.

Rethinking Where Students Learn

The idea that learning only happens at school between 9:00 and 3:00 is outdated. Students learn in cafés, parks, sports fields, libraries, and living rooms. These are social, open spaces that promote collaboration and conversation. Soft furniture, group tables, and comfortable seating encourage students to meet, share ideas, and explore topics in a natural way. These are not passive zones. They’re full of energy, insight, and informal learning.

We need to ask: what can these informal spaces teach us about how to shape better classroom environments?

The Evolving Classroom

The modern classroom must be more than just four walls and rows of desks. Technology now allows students to create, share, and explore beyond the textbook. Teachers are no longer gatekeepers of knowledge. Instead, they are facilitators of learning, stimulating conversation, guiding inquiry, and responding to individual needs.

David Thornburg’s short video on the evolving classroom provides powerful insights into how learning environments are shifting. His message is clear: design matters. It shapes how students engage with learning.

What This Means for Teachers

A flexible learning space mirrors the real world. It supports movement, interaction, and independence. Students today are ready to learn but not always in traditional settings. Our job as educators is to craft spaces that reflect how students actually learn.

We need to design environments that value voice, comfort, and collaboration. When we do this, we create schools that not only reflect our students’ realities but also equip them for the future.

Innovation and Creativity

In recent times the push towards innovation and creativity as a vehicle to both lift educational standards as well as meet the future skills required of the knowledge economy workforce, is an admirable stance. It appears that the Sir Ken Robinson crusade is finally gaining traction with education agencies beginning to require schools to provide evidence of innovation being enacted (for example, see the new UAE unified School Inspection process).

The push for creativity and innovation in schools continues to grow. This shift, driven by the need to prepare students for the knowledge economy, is finally gaining traction. Education systems are now requiring schools to show evidence of innovation in practice. For example, the new UAE unified School Inspection process now highlights innovation as a key performance measure.

Search online for innovative schools and you’ll find countless articles linking innovation to uniqueness. But innovation is more than being different. It’s about rethinking how learning happens.

4 Traits of Innovative Schools

In a popular blog post, 4 Things Innovative Schools Have In Common, Steve Wheeler outlines key features of forward-thinking schools. These include:

Valuing students as individuals, not just groups
Connecting learning to the outside world
Teaching in ways that encourage critical and creative thinking
Designing learning spaces that promote exploration and creativity

Each of these points challenges traditional schooling structures and pushes us to rethink how students engage with learning.

Innovation Starts in the Classroom

At its core, innovation comes to life through teachers. It’s in the decisions they make every day. That is, how they plan, how they teach, and how they respond to learners. That’s why professional expertise and teacher agency matter.

But two other elements are crucial: a bold vision and strong leadership.

Vision gives purpose and direction. Leadership brings it to life. Without these, even the most creative ideas can stall. With them, schools can move beyond surface-level change and redesign learning for the future.

Key Leadership Traits for Effective School Leaders

There are plenty of articles both in the scholarly literature and in the commentary magazines that state that effective leadership is the foundation for improving school performance. While there are key leadership styles (eg transformation, servant, autocratic, laissez-faire, bureaucratic, collaborative, charismatic, situational, democratic) I like to focus on the behavioural aspect.

There is no shortage of research and expert commentary stating that effective leadership is the foundation of school improvement. While various leadership styles—such as transformational, servant, democratic, and autocratic—shape school leadership, the behavioural aspects of leadership often have the greatest impact.

Great school leaders adapt their approach based on their school’s context. In one situation, they may empower staff, while in another, they must take a transformational role to inspire and motivate.

Regardless of leadership style, there are four key leadership traits that define an effective school leader. These traits are interwoven into the very essence of successful leadership.

1. The Art of Decision-Making

School leaders make decisions daily, but effective decision-making is not always straightforward. Strong leaders:
✔ Gather relevant information before deciding
✔ Analyse all possible outcomes
✔ Make clear, confident choices

A structured decision-making process helps leaders steer their schools forward with clarity and confidence.

2. The Art of Being Results-Focused

Some leaders fall into a “caretaker” mindset, simply managing operations without pushing for progress. Effective school leaders, however, focus on results. They:
📌 Set clear objectives
📌 Monitor school data and performance trends
📌 Regularly adjust strategies to improve outcomes

A strong results-driven approach ensures that school improvement remains a continuous process.

3. The Art of Pursuing Alternative Viewpoints

Have you ever seen a leader ask for opinions but ultimately ignore all input? This type of shallow collaboration limits innovation and growth. Great leaders:
✔ Actively seek different perspectives
✔ Listen and consider alternative viewpoints
✔ Use collaboration to drive better decision-making

By valuing diverse perspectives, school leaders enhance problem-solving and foster a culture of trust.

4. The Art of Caring

Great leadership is not just about strategy—it’s about people. Effective leaders:
🌟 Genuinely care about staff well-being
🌟 Build trust and relationships
🌟 Find ways to support and empower their team

When leaders prioritise caring and connection, they create a positive school culture where staff and students thrive.

Mastering These Key Leadership Traits

School leadership involves juggling many roles and responsibilities. However, by excelling in these four key leadership traits—decision-making, results focus, valuing viewpoints, and showing genuine care—leaders can create meaningful change and long-term success.

Strong leadership is not about authority alone—it’s about making the right choices, driving progress, listening to others, and leading with heart.

Which of these leadership traits do you embody most?

From the Industrial Age to the Conceptual Age

During this winter break I have revisited one of my favourite books “Drive” by Daniel Pink. Published in 2011, the book provides insight into how to create high performance and increase satisfaction (at work, at school and at home). He puts forward the case for the human element (motivation) and our need to “direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world”.

Over the winter break, I revisited one of my favourite books: Drive by Daniel Pink. Published in 2011, it remains a relevant and powerful guide to understanding what truly motivates us. Whether in schools, workplaces, or homes, Pink’s message is clear: real performance comes from within.

“The secret to high performance isn’t rewards and punishments—but our deep-seated desire to direct our own lives, to learn and create, and to do better by ourselves and our world.” — Daniel Pink

What I Took Away (Again)

Revisiting Daniel Pink’s Drive reminded me just how crucial it is for educators and leaders to align learning and leadership with intrinsic motivation. Here are some key takeaways from my latest read-through:

1. Prepare Students for Their Future, Not Our Past

Education must evolve. We should be teaching the thinking, creativity, and adaptability that modern professions demand—not just repeating what worked for us decades ago.

2. Right-Brain Thinking Is Essential

Pink argues that right-brain skills including creativity, empathy, big-picture thinking are no longer optional. In a world reshaped by:

Asia (global competition)
Automation (software replacing analytical work)
Abundance (access to more than we need)

…it’s right-brain qualities that create differentiation and value.

3. Move Beyond Rote Learning

The future belongs to those who can ask better questions, not just give the “right” answers. Student voice, inquiry, and curiosity must sit at the heart of our pedagogy.

4. Arts Are No Longer Optional

From writing and music to visual storytelling, the arts have shifted from “nice to have” to fundamental. They unlock critical thinking, communication, and cross-disciplinary fluency.

5. Rethink Metrics

How do we measure creativity? Collaboration? Empathy? The call is clear. We need new success indicators that go beyond grades and standardised tests.

6. STEM Needs to Be More Than Technical

Yes, we need Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths, but we also need to combine it with:

Design thinking
Artistic creativity
Communication and ethical reasoning

This is where STEM becomes STEAM and gains real relevance.

Implications for School Leadership

As leaders, we need to pause and ask: what motivates our staff and students? Pink’s framework, autonomy, mastery, and purpose isn’t just good theory. It’s practical. It’s implementable. And it should inform how we structure our professional development, design school improvement plans, and foster school culture in the year ahead.

The Role of Teachers as Researchers in Student Success

As a principal focused on improving student learning I was heartened by the recent presentations at the Dubai International Education Conference recently held at Al Ghurair University, Dubai. With the key message that the teacher is the centre of improving student attainment, the various keynote and concurrent presentations offered insight into the effective impact of the role of the “Teacher as researcher.”

The teacher as researcher can be distinguished from their colleagues as they attempt to better understand their TEACHing practice and how it impacts upon their students. In researching the relationship between teaching and learning the teacher researcher actively contributes to the conversation of what makes a difference to student learning. This is an evidenced based process and involves reflective inquiry, working in collaboration with other teachers, their students, parents and the community.

Interpreting real time data, analysing the data and them making informed decisions based upon this information is pivotal to improving the school outcomes. The challenge is ensuring that all schools improve. However, as shared by Professor David Lynch (Southern Cross University):

“It is interesting to note that the latest figures released by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (Dubai’s education authority) show that the number of private schools in Dubai will reach 250 by the year 2020 or 16 per year. There are currently 169 private schools in Dubai as of last year, but this number will increase by almost 50% in the next six years to accommodate the projected 50% increase in student population from the current 243,000 level to 366,000 by 2020 or by 24,000 per year. One of the big challenges for the UAE is to prepare or engage enough teachers to meet this demand profile.”

With the rapid increase in the number of schools in Dubai to meet the increasing demand and the KHDA prescribed inspection process identifying what makes an “outstanding school” on what constitutes an outstanding school will continue to create much debate. To help foster the dialogue perhaps our latest publication “Creating the Outstanding School” will help.

The Power of School Leadership Reflection

As such, the end of the academic year is an exciting time for a school community. While everyone is looking forward to the summer break, the effective principal will use the time to focus on school improvement planning for the following year. At some point the principal will take stock of the year and spend some serious time reflecting on the events of the school year. Reflection is a critical practice of the effective leader.

School leadership reflection is a critical process for any principal looking to enhance student learning and school performance. As I complete my first academic year at Dar Al Marefa, I find myself reflecting on the journey, particularly the challenges, the achievements, and the lessons learned.

The end of the academic year is a pivotal time for principals. While staff and students prepare for the summer break, effective school leaders use this time to evaluate their leadership, school progress, and future goals.

Why School Leadership Reflection Matters

Strong leaders don’t just react, they reflect. Taking stock of the school year helps principals:

Assess their leadership impact
Identify what worked and what needs improvement
Plan for meaningful school improvement

Key Questions for Leadership Reflection

When engaging in school leadership reflection, I consider:

Did I clearly communicate my vision for teaching and learning?
Did I support teachers in improving their instructional practices?
Did I increase student engagement and achievement?
Did I empower staff through delegation and development?
Did I celebrate and acknowledge staff successes?

Feedback: A Crucial Part of Reflection

Leaders who fail to seek feedback risk missing valuable insights. According to Gallup’s Global Workforce Study, only 13% of employees worldwide feel engaged at work, while many report feeling disconnected.

By asking staff, students, and parents for input, principals can gain a clear understanding of their leadership impact and create a stronger school culture.

Looking Forward: Turning Reflection into Action

When asked, “Have you made a difference this year?”, a principal’s answer should be grounded in real action and school improvement. By reflecting on past successes and challenges, school leaders can step into the new year with clarity, purpose, and a renewed commitment to growth.

How are you using school leadership reflection to improve your school?

Supporting International School Teachers Through Coaching and Mentoring

One of the unique benefits of working in an international school is the opportunity to engage with a mix of cultures. One of the challenges is the drawing together of a diverse staffing demographics. Raising student achievement is the goal of each individual teacher.

One of the most valuable aspects of working in an international school is the opportunity to engage with a mix of cultures. However, supporting international school teachers comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to staff turnover. With research indicating an annual turnover rate of 20-25% in international schools, leaders must continuously induct, train, and support new educators while ensuring consistency in teaching quality and student achievement.

The Challenge of Teacher Turnover in International Schools

Diversity is not just present in the student body—it extends to the teaching staff as well. While this diversity brings fresh perspectives and innovative teaching practices, it also creates challenges in sustaining learning and maintaining school-wide consistency. Constant staff changes can disrupt continuity in teaching, making it difficult to implement long-term instructional improvements.

The key question for school leaders is: How do you sustain learning and avoid “wasting” time on repeated inductions? The answer lies in a well-structured professional learning approach, one that prioritises ongoing teacher development over one-time orientation sessions.

A Collaborative Approach to Professional Learning

According to an article in the International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, supporting international school teachers requires more than just training in instructional programmes. Instead, schools must focus on collaborative professional learning, where teachers develop their practice through peer engagement, mentorship, and coaching.

Unlike traditional professional development workshops, this model integrates learning into daily teaching practice. It ensures that educators continuously refine their methods rather than simply adopting new curricula without deeper pedagogical understanding.

The Role of Coaching and Mentoring in Teacher Development

This is where coaching and mentoring play a crucial role in supporting international school teachers. Strong school leadership involves guiding teachers through reflective practice, offering personalised feedback, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Key Benefits of Coaching and Mentoring in International Schools:

Teacher Retention: Providing ongoing support helps new teachers integrate faster and feel valued, reducing turnover.
Improved Instructional Practice: Instead of focusing on implementing standardised programmes, coaching develops adaptive, responsive teaching strategies.
Sustained Student Achievement: With a stable and well-supported teaching team, schools can maintain high academic standards despite staff transitions.
Professional Growth: Teachers engage in a culture of lifelong learning, making the school a dynamic and evolving educational environment.

Sustaining Teacher Development Beyond Induction

While induction programs are necessary for onboarding new teachers, they must be supplemented by long-term learning structures. This includes:

Regular coaching cycles to reinforce best practices.
Peer mentoring programs to create support networks.
Professional learning communities (PLCs) where teachers collaborate on instructional strategies.
Leadership-led development sessions that address school-specific challenges.

By shifting from one-time induction sessions to ongoing professional learning, international schools can reduce instructional disruptions, retain talent, and build a cohesive teaching team.

Final Thoughts

Supporting international school teachers goes beyond initial training—it requires ongoing coaching, mentoring, and collaborative learning. With a well-structured professional development approach, schools can create a strong, adaptable teaching workforce that ensures consistent student achievement, despite staff turnover.

By investing in continuous teacher development, international schools can transform challenges into opportunities, fostering a dynamic and high-performing learning environment for both educators and students.

The Role of the Educational Leader?

Recently I finished re-reading one of my favourite reference books by Fullan and Hargreaves, “Professional Capital – Transforming Teaching in Every School”. It has, as its central message, putting teachers and teaching at the forefront of school improvement. Through the path of breaking down the barriers of classroom isolation and engaging in a collaborative culture of learning, raising teacher status will improve student achievement.

Rereading Professional Capital by Michael Fullan and Andy Hargreaves reminded me why this book remains a staple on my shelf. Its central message is clear: putting teachers and teaching at the heart of school improvement is not optional, it’s essential.

When teachers work in isolation, improvement stalls. When they collaborate, engage in meaningful dialogue, and share responsibility for learning, schools thrive. That’s the shift this book advocates: raising the status of teachers through a professional culture built on trust and support.

Start with the Teacher

Even a struggling teacher will bring about some student growth across a year. But in a truly great school, the bar is set much higher and that starts with how we support the people in front of students every day.

Here, the role of the educational leader becomes critical. Are they visible? Do they get into classrooms, ask questions, and lead learning? Or are they buried under bureaucracy, distant from daily practice? In high-performing schools, leaders and teachers work side by side. These are not schools built on compliance, but on shared purpose.

From Good Teachers to True Professionals

Fullan and Hargreaves urge schools to do more than develop good teachers. They call for professionals who think deeply, work collectively, and lead change. But that doesn’t happen without leadership.

Educational leaders need to model the same professional learning they expect from their teachers. It’s not enough to hand out resources and hope for improvement. Real growth comes from engaged, deliberate action: professional conversations, peer observations, and shared strategy.

The Leadership Gap

The book also highlights a persistent challenge: many leaders are promoted from roles with little connection to the work of developing teachers. When leadership pathways fail to build real instructional expertise, schools suffer. And with fewer aspiring leaders in the pipeline, we risk placing managers into executive roles without the skills to lead learning.

That gap is still visible in many schools. Professional Capital reminds us that sustained improvement comes from professionals leading professionals with learning, not logistics, at the core.