Leanne Galloway gives us insight into working in international schools, including challenges and opportunities, accountability measures in Dubai, Bangkok and England and cultural impacts on pedagogy, as well as her previous experience as an Ofsted inspector.

Read Leanne’s article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/what-is-it-like-to-work-in-international-schools

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

The case for systemic change in Ofsted’s approach – Lucy Lewin – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-case-for-systemic-change-in-ofsteds-approach/

Ofsted: ‘Sole arbiter of quality’– Dr Sue Allingham – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/ofsted-sole-arbiter-of-quality/

Episode break down:

00:00 – From a UK primary school to a Dubai international school 03:00 – Challenges and opportunities of an international school 08:00 – Creating ‘working parties’ and leading democratically 10:00 – Delegating, upskilling and empowering 11:00 – Leader vs manager/boss 15:00 – Not overloading your team with too much change 20:20 – 101 different nationalities in one school 24:00 – Instilling a longevity mindset 27:00 – High level of mobility of families 29:00 – Challenges around planning for learning 30:30 – Cultural sensitivity and climate challenges 36:50 – Working with high fee paying families 42:00 – Embarking on international work 45:40 – Challenges around cultural sensitivity 50:15 – Regulatory bodies and accountability 54:00 – Does Ofsted have an improvement focus? 01:02:45 – Collaboration is key 01:04:45 – Bringing parents into the early childhood community 01:06:30 – Opening challenging conversations

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

What is it like to work in international schools? 01:09:59 Share

The Voice of Early Childhood

From a UK primary school to a Dubai international school

Challenges and opportunities of an international school

Creating ‘working parties’ and leading democratically

Delegating, upskilling, and empowering

Leader vs manager/boss

Not overloading your team with too much change

101 different nationalities in one school

Instilling a longevity mindset

High level of mobility of families

Challenges around planning for learning and cultural sensitivity

Working with high fee-paying families

Embarking on international work and regulatory bodies

Does Ofsted have an improvement focus?

Collaboration is key

Bringing parents into the early childhood community

Opening challenging conversations

Shownotes Transcript

What is it like to work in international schools?