Governance Foundations for
International Schools

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Course overview

This self-paced course builds a shared understanding of effective governance and leadership in international schools worldwide.
Grounded in principles of good governance drawn from independent-school associations, accreditation standards, global experts, and current research, it explores the fiduciary, strategic, and generative dimensions of governance, with special emphasis on the partnership between those who govern and those who lead.

WHO IT’S FOR
  • Current and prospective board members
  • Current and aspiring heads of school and senior leaders working with boards
  • Ex-officio or advisory board and committee members, including board secretaries or administrators who support governance logistics (minutes, agendas, archives)
  • Anyone seeking a concise, evidence-based introduction to international-school governance

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Across seven short, stand-alone modules (take them in any order), participants explore:
  • The core purposes and functions of the board
  • Effective structure, policy, and delegation
  • Strategy, sustainability, and risk oversight
  • The board–head partnership and performance evaluation
  • Building accountability, culture, and communication
  • Embedding continuous improvement and reflective practice

Each module’s core content takes 10–20 minutes to complete. Optional resources add another 10–20 minutes for deeper exploration.

COURSE FEATURES
Complete the course independently, fully asynchronous
Use any device—laptop, tablet, or phone—and learn when and where it suits you.

ACCESS & CERTIFICATION
12-month access and an ECIS Certificate of Completion (digital badge).

ABOUT THE COURSE AUTHOR
Dr David B. Hawley brings four decades of leadership in international education - as a teacher, head of school, and global learning advocate. Formerly Director General of the International School of Geneva and Chief Academic Officer of the International Baccalaureate, he now supports boards and school leaders worldwide through his consultancy and ECIS’s Leading Together programme