How do you tell a “good” international school from a “bad” one?

One of the biggest mistakes teachers make when considering an international teaching job is assuming that schools are either good or bad. In reality, it is usually much more about finding the right fit. A school that is perfect for one teacher might be completely wrong for another, and we have seen teachers fail at a school at which others have been happily successful.

How international schools are different.

An important starting point is understanding that a British or American curriculum does not necessarily mean a British or American school culture. Leadership styles, behaviour management, parental expectations, teacher autonomy and support systems can be very different from what you might expect at a state school back home.

The more local the school’s leadership, parents and student population, the less Western its working culture may be. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is something you need to understand before signing a contract. Furthermore, you are teaching in a foreign country where the rules and culture are different to home, and teaching abroad successfully means you have to adapt to both a new school as well as a new country and culture.

It is also worth remembering that the vast majority of international schools are private, for-profit businesses. They need to balance educational standards and staff welfare with the expectations of fee-paying parents. Sometimes those priorities can conflict.

So how do you find the right school?

Ask questions. Find out about leadership, staff turnover, behaviour policies, professional development, student expectations and how teachers are supported. Ask “what if” questions and ask to talk to a teacher at the school if you are still unsure and have an offer.  Don’t rely on the school’s website, your assumptions based on previous experience or curriculum label to tell you everything.

Just as importantly, understand yourself. How much flexibility are you capable of? Are you comfortable adapting to different management styles and cultural expectations? What are your non-negotiables?

To be fair, there are some genuinely bad apples ,though fewer than most think. Make sure to research forums and reviews, but keep in mind that sometimes teachers who are let go for good reason will post vindictively, so look for trends and themes from multiple people.   Red flags to watch out for – frequent change of Head Teacher or Principal, schools that change contracts after arrival, frequently letting teachers go without notice or support to improve,  bringing teachers in on incorrect visas and people in leadership positions who don’t seem to have the qualifications or level of experience you would normally expect.

Green flags – if the school has been inspected by a reputable international organisation, and if the school seems to be run on a day to day basis by the Principal or Head Teacher rather than the owners or board.

The best international teaching experience isn’t necessarily at the most prestigious school. It’s at a school whose ethos, expectations and working practices match what you are looking for, and where both sides understand what they are signing up for.