Research for school leadership
Read what research found, where its evidence stops, and what to discuss in your school. Free briefs for heads, principals and middle leaders, with sources beside the claims.
New leadership briefs
Teacher retention
Start before the resignation letter: examine professional voice, growth and working conditions. The review identifies useful questions, not a guaranteed retention programme. Nguyen et al. (2026; online 2024)
Professional learning
A defined PLC model in Texas showed favourable outcomes in a non-randomised, provider-funded evaluation. Review the meeting’s work and selection limits before applying that evidence locally. Mansell & Kirksey (2025)
Governance
International-school leadership is shaped by programme, ownership, market and community. Good governance makes the trade-offs visible before a crisis.
Inclusion and equity
Equity work becomes actionable when leaders pair universal provision with targeted support and monitor access, participation and progression.
Workforce planning
National shortage indicators frame the question. Local workforce planning needs clear definitions, role-level exposure and a distinction between expected and actual departures.
Teacher workload
Start with a work demand teachers can identify and leaders can change. A task-level review is more useful than adding another wellbeing activity without changing the work.
Attendance and access
Attendance communication is one part of support. Identify the reason for absence before choosing a response; a message cannot by itself remove every barrier.
Evidence and implementation
Ask two questions: what can this source establish, and what would need to be true for the approach to fit here? A strong study still concerns a particular population and implementation.
For your next team decision
Original discussion aids with source context and limits. Use them to examine a local decision; they are not validated evaluation instruments.
Original discussion aid
Five original prompts for a confidential conversation, with the Utah source context and a plan to close the listening loop.
Read and print the worksheetOriginal discussion aid
Review what a professional-development offer claims, what was evaluated and how to plan a local follow-up.
Read and print the worksheetOriginal discussion aid
Review a coaching cycle, keeping delivery, teacher practice, learner evidence and workload separate.
Read and print the worksheetOriginal discussion aid
Review one existing improvement priority in 30 minutes, separating activity, implementation, outcomes and the next decision.
Read and print the worksheetOriginal discussion aid
An original workload review worksheet for school leaders: define a demand, choose what to stop or simplify, and review time, quality and workload transfer.
Read and print the worksheetOriginal discussion aid
An original PLC meeting agenda for examining student work, choosing a teaching response and agreeing follow-up. Includes evidence and limits.
Read and print the worksheet· 6 min read
Three research reads for international-school leaders, with evidence limits, implementation ideas and timely professional development.
Read this weekly editionProfessional development
Upcoming online and in-person learning, with free and paid options from different organisations. Checked 5 October 2026.
ECIS · Free
13 October 2026 · 15:00–15:45 UK time
Online · live webinarCouncil of International Schools (CIS) · Paid · school fees in the CIS Community portal; affiliated consultants/supporting members €300 excluding VAT
3, 5 and 10 November 2026 · 11:00–13:00 CET on 3 Nov; 11:00–14:00 CET on 5 and 10 Nov
Online · three live sessions plus self-paced workECIS · International School of Prague · £340–£425 · depends on membership
30–31 October 2026 · 09:00–15:00 CET each day
In person · Prague, Czech RepublicLeadership vacancies
A sourced shortlist across international leadership searches, followed by directories for a wider search. Checked 5 October 2026.
21 October 2026
BrazilGraded – The American School of São Paulo
High-school leadership search.
Start: See position announcement
Deadline was ahead at our source check; current availability is unverified
View vacancy and application instructions31 October 2026
EthiopiaInternational Community School of Addis Ababa
Middle-school leadership search.
Start: See position announcement
Deadline was ahead at our source check; current availability is unverified
View vacancy and application instructions31 October 2026
IndonesiaJakarta Intercultural School
Schoolwide curriculum leadership role.
Start: See position announcement
Deadline was ahead at our source check; current availability is unverified
View vacancy and application instructionsBuilt for use
The finding, publication or newly relevant evidence.
The design, the limits and what the paper cannot prove.
Questions that help a team consider what may work in its school.
Reflection questions to connect the evidence with local context.