In this episode of The IAPS Podcast, Chair Tania Botting is joined by Elaine Rawlings, Head of Primary at the British School Al Khubairat. Together, they explore Elaine’s journey to becoming a Head in Abu Dhabi, draw parallels between her school and those in the UK, and highlight the benefits of IAPS membership to an international school.

This conversation sets the stage for our Middle East Leadership Symposium on Thursday 22 January, which The British School Al Khubairat will host. This unique event will provide the opportunity to network with professionals from leading international schools, as well as listen to and engage with leading UK educational speakers.

In this episode of the IAPS Podcast, Chief Executive Dominic Norrish, leads an insightful discussion with Rhian Thornton, Head at Upton House School, and IAPS Subject Adviser for Computing, Curriculum Design and Digital Innovation, Matt Warne, Head of Computing and Digital Learning at RGS The Grange. Together, they explore how Upton House has become a leader in technology integration recognised by ISI and share practical strategies for driving digital innovation in prep schools.

In the latest episode of our series celebrating Significant Strengths in IAPS schools, Kate Bevan, Chair of the IAPS Education Committee and Head of Junior School at Notting Hill and Ealing High School, is joined by Euan Burton-Smith and Natalie Sandford, Head and Deputy respectively at The Mount School in Huddersfield.

Together, they explore the initiatives that earned The Mount recognition from ISI for its outstanding focus on wellbeing. Euan and Natalie share their practical strategies that not only support pupils’ emotional wellbeing but also enhance academic progress and attainment.

In this episode, Nick Robinson, IAPS Director of International and a former IAPS Head, chats with Duncan Bailey, Headmaster of Runnymede College Prep in Madrid, who shares his journey into international headship and reflects on the unique value that both he and his pupils find in being part of the IAPS community. As Runnymede College prepares to host our upcoming Madrid Symposium on Thursday 20 November, this conversation offers a timely insight into how the IAPS network can support International schools in fostering excellence and connection across borders.

In this episode, recorded live at our Annual Conference in Brighton, we continue Tim Smith’s Journal Club series! Tim, Head at Hampton Pre-Prep and Prep, sits down with Christabel Westall, Headmistress at Terra Nova School, for a thought-provoking conversation on the concept of ‘glorious failure’. Together, they explore a series of research papers and discuss what schools can do to ensure children leave equipped to cope with failure in their lives.

Articles:

The Exaggerated Benefits of Failure, Lauren Eskreis-Winkler, Kaitlin Woolley, Eda Erensoy, Minhee Kim - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38856918/

The Biological Benefits of Failure on Learning and Tools to Manage the Fallout, Lauren Margulieux, James Prather, Masoumeh Rahimi - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10648-025-10013-7

Overcoming a Sense of Academic Failure Workbook, Emily Troscianko and Rachel Bray - chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/sitefiles/overcoming-a-sense-of-academic-failure-workbook-june-2023.pdf

In this episode recorded live at our Annual Conference in Brighton, Katherine Bluck, IAPS Head of Professional Development, and Anna Bunting, Managing Director at Perry Uniform, explore innovative ways to achieve designer-quality school uniforms at affordable prices. They delve into the importance of hero items, balancing basket prices, and the role of uniforms in branding and marketing.

In this episode, Chief Executive Dominic Norrish is joined by members of the IAPS team to explore what members can look forward to at our Annual Conference, at the Brighton Centre from 17-19 September. They discuss the engaging programme of keynotes and highlight the opportunities to connect with fellow educators, participate in thought-provoking seminars and engage with a variety of exhibitors. It's your chance to hear about what to expect in Brighton.

Welcome to the next episode of the Annual Conference podcast, featuring guests who will be presenting keynotes or seminar sessions in Brighton.

In this episode Katherine Bluck, IAPS Head of Professional Development is joined by Dave Walker, Boarding & Education Director at the Boarding Schools Association, and Sophie Bradshaw, Head at Dulwich Cranbrook. Together, they delve into the evolving challenges of digital access, safeguarding, and the shared responsibilities of schools and families in supporting young people online. Sophie and Dave will be part of a seminar session at the IAPS Annual Conference on Thursday 18 September, offering further reflections on how we can best guide the next generation in a connected world.