For many educators around the world, landing a job at any international school simply isn’t enough. Finding the right school means that you feel supported both professionally and personally and are able to become the best possible version of yourself. Growing in your teaching career can be inspiring and part of what makes it so exciting is the realisation that you can begin to aim for opportunities at prominent, well–known schools that will help you excel in your career.
Many of these prestigious schools are part of leading educational groups that operate internationally. In this article, we will help you understand what makes these groups stand out and explain why you should consider applying for one of their many roles. Choosing the right educational group can have a huge impact on your teaching journey and we’re here to guide you through making the best choice for your career.
The Landscape of Educational Groups
If you are looking to take your teaching career to the next level, one of the best things you can do is become a part of a premium educational group. These groups have top-tier schools all over the world, providing students with incredible educational experiences. They offer a range of curricula, often tailored to meet the needs of students across different regions, ensuring that they all receive a globally recognised education. Their schools are accredited by respected organisations like AOBSO (Association of British Schools Overseas), COBIS (Council of British Schools), the IB (International Baccalaureate) and CIS (Council of International Schools), amongst others, which is a testament to their high standards.
A great place to start your search is by looking at Inspired Education Group, the leading global group of premium schools. With over 110 private schools across six continents, they offer high quality education recognised worldwide. Their schools are consistently ranked amongst the best internationally and their students perform exceptionally academically, resulting in high university acceptance rates.
Some other global educational groups that offer a selection of premium schools are GEMS Education and Nord Anglia Education, both of which are currently in partnership with Teacher Horizons, along with others like Cognita Schools and SABIS Network. What all of these groups share is their commitment to giving students the best possible learning opportunities and ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed, regardless of which career path they may choose.
While the majority of the roles offered at these schools cater to teachers, it is worth noting that they also have a variety of jobs available in other fields such as administration, technology, finance and HR, all of which contribute to making a positive impact within schools. These positions can easily be found through their career portals and could be a great opportunity for you to explore a new career path outside of teaching if you wish, or for a partner in a different field who would like to work at the same school.
Benefits of Joining Premium Educational Groups
You may be asking – what makes premium educational groups differ from individual schools?
While individual schools can offer great education, being part of a reputable educational group means you’re helping deliver guaranteed first-class education. We were able to speak to Matteo Rossetti, Founding Principal of King’s College School, The Bahamas – one of leading schools amongst Inspired Education’s 118 schools worldwide. Here is what he had to say about the benefits of working for this group:
“Being part of a global educational group like Inspired provides educators with the opportunity to draw from best practices from some of the world’s leading schools. Teachers here can connect with peers from around the globe who offer unique insights and experiences. For example, as we are building our International Baccalaureate IB provision, we are able to connect and learn from one of our sister schools, St. Louis School in Milan, which has been the leading IB DP achieving school in Europe for six years in a row. Teachers here are also able to benefit from first-class training programs and a level of resources and focus —such as our significant investment in ed tech, whether in VR or AI—that individual schools can’t match. The group also offers unique career pathways. Teachers can excel in one school, and that experience becomes a real springboard to leadership opportunities in another, all while experiencing life in different parts of the world. We have teachers who have been instrumental here in the founding of our academic programme, who are now going to work with the founding of our sister school in London, Wetherby Pembridge. That is incredibly rewarding and exciting for ambitious teachers dedicated to their career in education.”
As mentioned by Rossetti, these educational groups can invest far more into resources that enhance student learning. They also have state-of-the-art facilities, giving students the chance to learn in environments that are much better suited to their needs, rather than limiting them to a traditional classroom. With cutting-edge technology and e-learning embedded in their learning, students are prepared to take on anything in an increasingly tech-driven world. It is this focus on high-quality education that has earned these schools a number of accolades, with Inspired schools being ranked number one in countries like Spain and New Zealand, and also being recognised as one of the best for the curricula they offer.
While these schools are leaders in STEM education, many also strive to provide students with a well-rounded education by taking a holistic approach. They recognise the importance of subjects such as Performing Arts, Music and Physical Education, giving every student the opportunity to explore their strengths, build confidence and gain skills in all areas. Nord Anglia Education even collaborates with both The Juilliard School and MIT, creating unique learning experiences that individual schools might not be able to provide and allowing teachers to learn from the best. These schools also offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, giving students the opportunity to learn new skills that will benefit them both in their future careers and personal lives.
Schools within educational groups tend to be leaders not only academically, but also when it comes to sustainability and social responsibility. Take GEMS Education, for example. They participate in sustainability events and run eco-friendly initiatives across all their schools every year. They consistently promote sustainability within their schools and incorporate this into students’ learning. A quick look at their website shows the steps that each individual school has taken to help the environment. They use technology to track their impact and are always looking for new ways to improve, whether that’s by saving energy or reducing waste. This is a prime example of their values and the positive message they pass on to their students.
Moreover, one of the key benefits of working for a premium educational group is that they provide a strong sense of community. They create a truly international environment where students and staff alike can learn from each other and celebrate their diverse backgrounds. On this topic, Rossetti commented:
“Building a community is central to our mission at King’s College School, The Bahamas. We prioritise open and frequent communication with parents and collaboration among staff, and we anchor our education around our core values, which are celebrated day in and day out: ambition, curiosity, courage, and kindness. Those are values that allow our students to grow in confidence and embrace life, and they are also values that drive our teachers to be the best educators they can be. We also organise events and cultivate traditions that bring together students, teachers, and parents across academics, sports, and the performing and creative arts. We aim to foster a mutually supportive environment where everyone is invested in each other’s growth, can step outside their comfort zones, and nourish confidence daily.”
The landscape of these groups continues to grow, with organisations like Inspired Education consistently acquiring schools worldwide, creating plenty of job opportunities regardless of where you’re based – or where your dream destination might be! They even have King’s InterHigh, the UK’s leading global online school, which provides students with exceptional learning opportunities, all whilst operating solely online.
Career Development and Advancement
Being part of a premium educational group often gives educators the opportunity to move between schools in different countries or regions, which, for those who want to discover the world, is a very enticing prospect! Many of them also encourage internal promotion and will offer career development programs – perfect for those looking to move into leadership roles!
Educational groups are committed to helping staff grow and advance in their careers. By selecting one of their schools, you are opening yourself up to more opportunities for professional development. For example, Cognita schools offer leadership programs (in partnership with UCL), access to their CogX online learning platform and annual check-ins for support and guidance, in addition to other training opportunities.
Last year, Inspired Education announced they will be delivering bespoke training for academic staff across 80 schools, teaching them how to integrate their new ‘Inspired AI’ tool into their work. This will help teachers plan lessons more efficiently and save time, making them feel a greater sense of fulfillment at work.This is just one example of how they’re committed to investing in professional development for their staff.
Testimonials and Success Stories
If you are still on the fence about joining a premium educational group, take a look at some testimonials below, showing just how much organisations like Inspired are committed to supporting teachers:
“Since moving to Panama in 2022 I have never looked back and can honestly say it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. My time with my previous Inspired school played a vital role in preparing me for this new adventure, and I will always be grateful to Inspired for the opportunity and support in making this move such a success. I’m incredibly lucky to do a job I love in my dream location.”
Ruth Seggie – Teacher – King’s College School, Panama City, Panama libero.
“I’m proud of my career, and how I’ve worked my way up into a leadership position with Inspired. I think it gives you a different sense of responsibility and a whole new set of opportunities. I do my best to motivate, support and challenge my team in the same way my mentors and managers did for me. It’s satisfying when you can help connect a colleague with an opportunity that unleashes their potential and gives them great personal growth.”
Alison Clare Entwistle – Head of Primary – King’s College School, La Moraleja, Madrid
“I’m new to Inspired having moved from the UK to Portugal in August. The onboarding experience has been fantastic, and I’ve been connected with other people who have moved here to teach, so I already have a new friendship group and feel part of a community. I joined Inspired because I wanted to be part of something special rather than just another cog in a machine. I can already see that this is a great place to grow, and I’m excited to see the difference I can make.”
Samiya Syed – Teacher – St. Peter’s International School, Palmela, Portugal
…and that’s only three of over 12,000 teachers placed!
How to Explore Opportunities
Have we convinced you yet?
If so, you can start by heading the dedicated careers page for each of these groups. There you will find current job openings across all areas worldwide. Make sure to sign up for job alerts if you have a specific role in mind as this will notify you about relevant positions that have just been posted.
Most of these career portals will ask you to create an account before applying. Once you have found a job you like the look of, make sure you have your tailored CV, cover letter and references ready to go. Remember that it is essential to tailor your application for each position and school. These are some of the best schools around the world and they will want to make sure that their teachers are the right fit. Hear what Rossetti has to say on this:
“I think it starts with connecting with what drives you as an educator. Those who come here are not looking for a 9-to-5 job. They are passionate about the transformational power of education, driven by the ambition to create an exceptional learning environment where each learner feels celebrated as an individual. They are committed to excellence and prepared to embrace the challenge (and adventure!) of being part of a community where innovation, creativity, and collaboration are celebrated.”
Many international schools post job openings on LinkedIn, which also happens to be an incredibly useful platform to network with current employees and senior leadership members. Knowing someone who works there can be invaluable so don’t be afraid to start reaching out. It’s also a good way of sensing whether the job or school is the right fit for you. You will be able to find profiles for the schools and the educational groups they belong to – it is worth keeping an eye on both.
Following these groups on LinkedIn and other social media platforms will also keep you updated on any recruitment fairs they will be attending, or even hosting. These events provide a fantastic opportunity to network and learn more about the way they work. Some recruitment providers to look into could include TES, Search Associates and International School Services (ISS).
Moreover, Teacher Horizons works with a number of premium educational groups and will provide you with ongoing support throughout the application process, from carrying out interviews to providing you with an adviser who will help you on your journey. Our team can help you navigate different school groups, and schools within them, based on your individual goals.
A whole world waiting to be explored
We hope this article has given you a better understanding of some of the world’s leading educational groups and what they offer. These organisations provide educators with a range of benefits and are an ideal choice for those looking to grow in their careers. You will receive continual support and be exposed to endless opportunities that will help your professional development. You can rest assured knowing that by joining one of these groups you will be delivering education of the highest standard. With top-tier resources and facilities at your disposal, you will be helping children reach their full potential and shape them into well-rounded global citizens.
Whether you’re seeking international experience, career growth or the chance to work at some of the best schools globally, you will be provided with everything you need to succeed, all whilst being a part of an amazing, collaborative community.
So what are you waiting for? Start exploring opportunities now and see how far you can go!
This article was written in collaboration with Inspired group. Special thanks to Matteo Rossetti for valuable insights.
