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12 February 2026

International Leaders Conference 2026: Sustaining Change

You don’t need another inspirational talk. You need guidance you can test against your own context. This conference gives you access to leading expertise – and the chance to work with it, not just listen to it. Expect to take part, not just attend – with prompts and structure that help you translate insight into action.

Across two half-day virtual sessions on 7 – 8 May 2026, the International Leaders Conference 2026 brings together school leaders from around the world to explore how we turn good intentions into lasting improvement – in ways that are realistic, grounded and sustainable.

Delivered in partnership with Education Leaders, the conference connects proven leadership practice with tools you can apply straight away with your team and school community. Conference themes include:

  1. Sustainability Works Both Ways: Schools need leaders who can drive the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals forward while also leading change that doesn’t exhaust their teams. We’ll tackle both – because you can’t build for tomorrow if you’re burning people out today.
  2. Evidence to Monday Morning: Our 30 years alongside international schools meets Education Leaders’ question-led approach to change. You’ll take away research-informed strategies you can use immediately and adapt to your context.
  3. Building Capacity, Not Dependency: We’ll explore how to empower your teams, grow middle leadership and create the conditions for improvement to stick – without change resting on one person trying to fix everything.

Investing in leadership
This year we’re launching the conference during Chinese New Year – a time associated with renewal, generosity, and fresh beginnings – and we’re leaning into the symbolism of the lucky number eight. In many cultures, eight represents growth and prosperity, which feels like a fitting thread for the kind of leadership we’re trying to build together.

  • Individual ticket: £88
  • 3-ticket bundle: £200
  • 5-ticket bundle: £350
  • Leadership Party (shared-screen experience + setup support): £888

And here’s a simple idea we’re calling the Red Envelope Gift: if you book a place to attend, you can choose to gift a free place to an emerging or aspiring leader you want to sponsor, mentor, or support. It’s a practical way to invest forward, bringing someone new into the conversation and strengthening leadership capacity across your school.

A speaker lineup with real depth
We’re pleased to welcome internationally recognised voices in education, including:

  • Tom Sherrington – Director of Teaching Walkthrus and author who writes the popular blog teacherhead.com
  • Zaretta Hammond – an educator and author of best-selling books Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain and Rebuilding Students’ Learning Power

They’re joined by a strong group of practitioner-experts, including Adam Kohlbeck, Chris Passey, Meg Lee, Lori Cohen, and more voices from across the international school community.

Why the International Leaders Conference is different
The conference is designed for implementation not just inspiration. Every section is built to help you translate insight into next steps you can take with your team and it’s also a great opportunity to attend alongside someone you’re supporting or mentoring (including through the Red Envelope Gift).

All attendees receive a digital Leaders Playbook, including:

  • Key speaker ideas and recommended reading
  • Guided reflection questions
  • Clear “What’s next?” questions to support action back at school

Sessions will be recorded, but we won’t release full recordings afterwards. Instead, attendees receive curated summary videos with expert commentary, keeping the focus on live participation, discussion, and shared momentum while still giving you something useful to revisit.

To keep the learning moving, everyone is also invited to a free drop-in session two weeks after the conference, with potential opportunities for optional one-to-one coaching with speakers (subject to availability). If you’re committed to leadership that makes a lasting difference – for your team, your students, and your school – we’d love you to join us.

Greencoast International School’s road to Recognition

IPC wall from Greencoast International School

By Holly Doobraz-Cheekhooree, Greencoast International School, Mauritius

As a quite recent school, only six years of operation and implementation of the International Primary Curriculum, Greencoast International School’s Recognition journey has been exceptionally smooth and genuinely enriching, thanks to the outstanding support and professionalism of the entire International Curriculum Association’s (ICA) team. From the very start, the team was consistently supportive, always available, and reassuring at every step. We felt guided throughout the process. The microcredentials also played a key role in facilitating our progress; even while completing them independently, we never felt alone, as ICA staff were always round the corner to provide clarity whenever needed.

One of the highlights of our experience was the Recognition Evaluation visit. We had prepared ourselves for what we expected to be a long and intense day, but thanks to our evaluation lead, the visit felt smooth, comfortable, and unexpectedly short. His professionalism, warmth, and ability to acknowledge Greencoast’s IPC journey made everyone feel valued. The entire staff felt seen and appreciated, which contributed greatly to the positive atmosphere of the visit.

Greencoast sought ICA Recognition to formally validate the strong learning culture we have been building through the IPC. We wanted a meaningful and constructive external lens on our practice, one that aligned with our commitment to improving learner outcomes, curriculum coherence, and the whole community’s collaboration. ICA Recognition represented a milestone affirming that we are on a purposeful journey of continuous growth, development and improvement.

The self-review process encouraged deep reflection across all teams. It allowed us to align our practices more closely with IPC principles, highlight areas of strength, and identify areas in which we could further innovate. It brought teams together in new ways, strengthening professional dialogue and enhancing whole-school coherence. It offered a platform whereas a whole school, a community each and every one could have a voice.

The visit was very professional and yet very human. It reinforced that the IPC is not about compliance but about authentic learning experiences. Our evaluators approach made all of us feel comfortable sharing our journey openly, and their insights affirmed our strengths while giving us practical next steps. The positive tone of the visit boosted our confidence and reinforced the value of the work we are doing.

We would encourage schools to embrace the journey with openness and trust. The ICA team is genuinely there to support and guide. The process is developmental, not evaluative. Engage in the microcredentials fully, lean on the ICA team whenever needed, and allow time for reflection. They truly make a difference. Most importantly, it is not about waiting for when everything is “perfect,” to embark on the Accreditation process since the learning happens throughout the journey.

One of our most meaningful moments are firstly the school tour led so beautifully by 2 of our Year 6 learners who showed true sense of belonging, love and learning. Whilst we (the head of school and the curriculum coordinator) stayed around thinking “they might need us at some point or just a thumbs up for reassurance”, our learners, confidently led and explained each and every aspect of our school. Similarly, whilst we were not prepared for the learners to be interacting with the evaluation lead, seeing how confidently they articulate their learning during the classroom visits reflected the authenticity and the wealth of knowledge, skills and understanding they are having the opportunities to acquire and develop through the IPC. 

Author

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School Services Team

These information sessions are brought to you by the ICA School Services Team. Their aim is to support schools around the world through the Recognition & Accreditation process with the aim of improving learning.

ICA extends collaboration with Faria Education Group for streamlined curriculum integration on ManageBac+

We are delighted to announce an extension of our partnership with Faria Education Group to build greater integration of our International Curriculum into its EdTech platform, ManageBac+.

Faria Education Group is a leading EdTech provider that builds comprehensive, seamless solutions for schools. Through ManageBac+ schools can manage curricula, plan collaboratively and administer key tasks like grading, reports and attendance tracking in one place.

Our extended collaboration will offer ICA subscribed schools a streamlined pathway to implement the International Curriculum. ManageBac+’s end-to-end strategies for applying the curricula will include:

  • Tailoring the International Curriculum to your region – ManageBac+ will respond to the specific needs of our schools by supporting the adaptation of the curricula to local requirements. Schools will be able to easily blend our services with other curricula and connect with other schools across borders.
  • Improved curriculum implementation – Schools will have access to structured guidance and ready-made workflows to help new and experienced ICA educators bring our curricula to life. With implementation strategies approved by ICA experts, actioning our pupil-first, evidence-based curricula has never been easier.
  • Promoting a learner-focused experience – The collaborative platform will empower pupils to take control of their own learning, with enhanced student portfolios and tools to document growth, celebrate achievements and make meaningful connections between subjects.

With ManageBac+’s curriculum management software, schools will be able to take full advantage of the global adaptability of the International Curriculum.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our work with Faria Education Group, which shares the ICA’s belief in creating quality resources to promote outstanding education,” said Sharon West, Head of School Services at the ICA. “The adaptable and collaborative nature of ManageBac+ makes it perfect for international schools, which have unique needs determined by their location and the diversity of their student bodies. We feel confident that our extended partnership will help ICA schools make the most of what our curricula and Faria’s platforms have to offer.”

MacKenzie Murray, Chief Operating Officer at Faria Education Group, said: “We are excited to expand our collaboration with the International Curriculum Association to better serve schools adopting the International Curriculum around the world. Our teams share a commitment to supporting educators with clarity, consistency, and tools that elevate student learning and wellbeing. This work strengthens our long-standing mission to help every school thrive.”

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International Curriculum Association

The International Curriculum Association (ICA) brings together the three age ranges of the International Curriculum: the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) for learners aged 2-5+ years old; the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for learners aged 5-11 years old; and the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) for learners aged 11-14 years old, with Professional Development for teachers and leaders and a two-stage Recognition and Accreditation process for schools, to ensure that with teachers, leaders and schools, we are improving learning, together.

Announcing the theme for our 2026 Global.Learn.Connect Conferences

As 2025 draws to a close, we’re delighted to announce the theme of next year’s Global.Learn.Connect Conferences!

School leaders and educators from all over the world will come together in Prague (26 – 27 March) and São Paulo (28 – 29 May) for a dynamic two-day event to learn from their peers, exchange ideas and grow their practice with renewed insights.

The theme for 2026’s Global.Learn.Connect Conferences is:

Adapting, Thriving and Transforming

Where Legacy Meets Tomorrow: Nurturing Teachers, Inspiring Change

Excellent educators don’t just teach their students – they teach and learn from each other too. The upcoming conferences will celebrate collaborative professional development, highlighting how educators can support and challenge each other to shape the future of learning.

As curriculum agnostic conferences, the Global.Learn.Connect Conferences are a brilliant opportunity for all educators to learn about new ways of teaching; you do not need to be an ICA-subscribed school to register a place.

The conferences will feature inspiring keynote speakers and teacher-led workshops alongside opportunities for collaborative dialogue with fellow international educators, making them the perfect place to pursue your professional development. By meeting members of our worldwide community you will engage with new perspectives, expand your horizons as an international educator and enhance your pedagogical approach.

Early bird tickets are available before 28 February for the Prague conference or before 17 April for São Paulo. We look forward to seeing you there!

Author

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International Curriculum Association

The International Curriculum Association (ICA) brings together the three age ranges of the International Curriculum: the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) for learners aged 2-5+ years old; the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for learners aged 5-11 years old; and the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) for learners aged 11-14 years old, with Professional Development for teachers and leaders and a two-stage Recognition and Accreditation process for schools, to ensure that with teachers, leaders and schools, we are improving learning, together.

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14 November 2025

Join our next Information Session!

We are delighted to announce the date of our next Information Session – a powerful opportunity for school leaders and educators to explore how the ICA’s products, services, and pathways can drive meaningful improvement in teaching and learning.

Led by the ICA Outreach & Development Team, these sessions are designed to provide practical insights, global perspectives and direct access to ICA experts. Participants will gain clarity on how to start or bolster their school’s journey with the ICA curriculum, as well as how to support teachers’ professional growth, tap into accreditation options, and tailor solutions to their local context.

Upcoming live webinar

  • Topic: Nurturing Our Youngest Learners: Fostering Play-Based Learning
  • Join us to discover how a curriculum developed specifically for Early Childhood transforms learning from the very start!
  • Date / Times: 25 November 2025 at 09:30 UK time and 17:30 UK time
  • Format: One-hour webinar open to all schools, including a Q&A session.
  • Secure your place

Why attend?

  • Learn more about the ICA curriculum and other offerings.
  • Find out how to take the next steps for your school’s implementation.
  • Discover professional development and accreditation pathways.
  • Ask questions tailored to your school’s unique context.

How to join
Participation is free and open to schools worldwide. Simply select your preferred session time and complete registration via the link provided.

We look forward to welcoming you and helping you champion quality, improve learning and unlock potential across your school community.

The wait is over… Announcing the winners of the ICA Teacher Awards 2025

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for – it’s time to reveal the winners of this year’s ICA Teacher Awards! With applications received from outstanding educators and schools from all over the world, it’s been a joy to analyse the impact of our ICA community and learn how they continue to champion the future of education.

This year’s winners are dedicated trailblazers driving forward our ICA vision of inclusive, inspiring education. From an incredible early years teacher to an outstanding education leader, we’re proud to call all of our winners members of the ICA community.

Your 2025 winners are:

  • Best Newcomer of the Year: Deepti Sharma from Nehru World School
  • Community Engagement Award: Parmeet Kaur Jindal from Nehru World School
  • IEYC Teacher of the Year: Swaranjali Masih from Healthy Planet TGA School
  • IPC Teacher of the Year: Anastasia O’Hare from Shanghai United International School
  • IMYC Teacher of the Year: Jay-R Evangelista from Hope International Academy Okinawa
  • Leader of the Year: Jolinda Groothedde from Holland International School
  • Team of the Year: Sekolah Cita Buana
  • People’s Choice Award: Arlene A. Toquero from Seri Mulia Sarjana School

Thank you and congratulations to every educator and school that was shortlisted. You are all making vital contributions to the education evolution.

Author

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International Curriculum Association

The International Curriculum Association (ICA) brings together the three age ranges of the International Curriculum: the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) for learners aged 2-5+ years old; the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for learners aged 5-11 years old; and the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) for learners aged 11-14 years old, with Professional Development for teachers and leaders and a two-stage Recognition and Accreditation process for schools, to ensure that with teachers, leaders and schools, we are improving learning, together.

Announcing the sponsors for this year’s International Curriculum Conference

The International Curriculum Conference 2025 is next week! Before we head to Bali for three days of inspiring keynote presentations, interactive workshops, networking opportunities and sunshine, we’re delighted to announce this year’s sponsors. From innovative EdTech companies to leading educational communities, each of our sponsors supports our ambition of improving learning –we can’t wait to show you how they can support your school.

Streamlining operating systems with SiSi

Our first sponsor is SiSi, the all-in-one operating system for K-12 schools. SiSi replaces fragmented systems across SIS, LMS, admissions, tuition, communication, and more with one unified platform. Fast, intuitive, and designed for scale, SiSi helps schools streamline operations, reduce overheads, and focus on meaningful teaching and learning. SiSi is globally adaptable and flexible across curriculums, making it perfect to power the future of education – regardless of the specifics of your school. From AI-driven insights to seamless tuition infrastructure and real-time benchmarking, SiSi provides the foundation for how schools operate, grow and evolve.

Acing educational research with ACER

The first step to being a great teacher is being a great learner, and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) will help you do just that. Established in 1930, ACER is trusted by schools worldwide to update teachers on the latest educational research. ACER conducts cutting-edge research, which it provides to partner schools alongside evidence-based professional development and assessment services. As an international leader in assessment and educational measurement, ACER transforms learning systems so everyone can succeed.

Facing the future with Faria Education

Faria Education is a global leader in EdTech that believes in making education better for all. With a goal of making communication seamless in schools, Faria transforms the way education is delivered and experienced. It provides an unrivaled breadth of services for schools, educators, learners and parents. Faria’s products create better collaboration, better communication, better experiences and better outcomes – dreaming big to bring out the best in education. Faria places its customers at the center of how it works and innovates, evolving its products to suit their needs.

Making reading fun with Monster Phonics

Monster Phonics is an award-winning synthetic phonics programme that uses friendly monster characters to help children learn. Its multi-sensory approach uses innovative colour-coding and sound cues to help children master long vowels, silent letters, and tricky spellings with ease. Tailored for international schools, Monster Phonics supports both multilingual learners and native speakers. Its recent partnership with the ICA means that ICA schools gain access to detailed lesson plans, engaging resources, online assessment and expert training.

Connecting communities with Education Leaders

International education is about creating communities that cross geographical borders, and Education Leaders embodies this ideal. As an online community, chart-topping podcast and academy, Education Leaders connects school leaders across the world and enables them to improve their practice together. Led by best-selling author and organisational coach, Shane Leaning, the organisation supports leaders to develop into the best versions of themselves so they can bring out the best versions of the school they lead.

Author

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International Curriculum Association

The International Curriculum Association (ICA) brings together the three age ranges of the International Curriculum: the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) for learners aged 2-5+ years old; the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for learners aged 5-11 years old; and the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) for learners aged 11-14 years old, with Professional Development for teachers and leaders and a two-stage Recognition and Accreditation process for schools, to ensure that with teachers, leaders and schools, we are improving learning, together.

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16 September 2025

One month until ICC25: Announcing our partnership with ANPS Indonesia and keynote speaker Wayan Sutrisna

The wait is nearly over! With just one month to go until our vibrant global community joins us in sunny Bali for the International Curriculum Conference 2025, we are beyond excited to announce our partnership with The Association of National and Private Schools (ANPS) and introduce our second keynote speaker, Wayan Sutrisna.

Welcoming visionary leader, Wayan Sutrisna, as our second keynote speaker

We are thrilled to introduce our second keynote speaker, Wayan Sutrisna, who is one of Bali’s leading practitioners in Maharishi Transcendental Meditation and Director of Education for World Peace.

Wayan Sutrisna’s career in education spans over 20 years, focusing on the use of Transcendental Meditation techniques to empower his student to become better learners through promoting clearer thinking, better focus, and increased self-confidence. Sutrisna’s innovative approach to learning highlights that by helping to shape peaceful brains, we create peaceful students, and in turn actively contribute to creating a peaceful world. Sutrisna’s dedication to the practice of Transcendental Meditation has shaped the lives of thousands of students in becoming the open-minded and empathetic leaders who are equipped to respond to the challenges of the modern world. We can’t wait to hear his insights!

Forging new paths with ANPS

This year, we are delighted to announce that we have partnered with ANPS for the final day of the Conference. We are excited to be enhancing our Conference further through partnering with a vibrant community of educators committed to best practices in teaching and learning in Indonesia.

As part of our ongoing commitment to inclusive and sustainable education development, we will be hosting a parallel Early Years Education Convention on day three, designed specifically for Indonesian early years educators. This special programme will be delivered in collaboration with the ANPS and will feature its own keynote, focused workshops and access to network opportunities.

The Convention runs in parallel with the main Conference programme and will provide a meaningful platform for local educators to engage with best practices, practical innovations, and peers across the sector.

Learn from our global community

Alongside our guest keynote speaker, we are also hosting a variety of thought-provoking and inspiring workshops facilitated by our dedicated educators across the ICA community.

Across the weekend, ICA educators will be leading a wide range of interactive, hands-on workshops to enhance your communication skills, pedagogy styles, and approaches to the curriculum to create thriving, dynamic, and inclusive learning environments in your schools. From Mathematics in everyday contexts, embedding cultural responsiveness in the classroom, to utilising your professional voice as teachers in the 21st century, there will be a variety of sessions to spark meaningful dialogue and develop your skills to adapt, thrive, and transform with the ICA.

There are a limited number of tickets available for those wanting to secure a spot to this year’s Conference, which focuses on the theme: ‘Education Evolution 25: Adapting, Thriving, and Transforming’. This celebrates 25 years of the International Primary Curriculum and champions our collective commitment to the ICA in the past, present, and future. To secure a last-minute place at the International Curriculum Conference before the price increase on 30 September, click here.

We can’t wait to see you in Bali on the 16 to 18 of October! Sampai jumpa di sana!

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