Sharing educational wisdom and creativity across the world.
It has become a truism that we, increasingly, live in a global village. That is even more true in the world of education. There has been a huge proliferation of satellite schools opening across the world and far more two-way traffic of teachers, families, children, and students, moving between continents and across borders.
In addition, the AI and Digital revolutions, plus the explosion of on-line accessibility necessitated by the Covid crisis, have opened up exciting new channels for sharing educational wisdom and creativity.
My Strategic and Academic Advisory teams have rich experience of education across the world. Many have experience of governing international schools, teaching in them and helping set them up! Our collective knowledge of universities and university applications is also deep.
We intend to share that knowledge, expertise and our rich perspectives with our clients, enabling them to make the best of the opportunities that crossing continents and borders afford.
Below are examples of projects we have dealt with. Please contact me if you would like to have an initial conversation by phone.
PMK
We are moving to London!
David worked for an American law firm in New York; he was promoted to a senior position which meant relocating to London. He and his wife, Sarah, had friends who had made a similar move but without three children to educate! Their children, Tom, Isabella, and Bobby were aged five, nine and thirteen. They desperately needed information on London schools. Our team was able to give detailed advice, grounded in expert first-hand knowledge of the range of possibilities.
We need a Sixth Form!
Andrea’s parents were not convinced that their country’s senior schools could challenge their daughter sufficiently. She was 16 and in the process of moving towards consideration of future university applications, abroad. She was a gifted musician and academic scholar. Several of their friends had moved their children to schools in the US and UK. They were keen to get advice on which schools might be best fit for their daughter. The wealth of perspectives within our teams enabled them to make the final decision with confidence.
University challenge?
David was a bright Sixth Former in a major London day school. He was considered a potential pick for the GB rowing squad and potentially credible for Oxbridge. Several of his friends with similar profiles were advised that US universities were keen to recruit such students. David and his family were not familiar with the US system and unsure of the best trajectory. They needed unbiassed information on the two key possibilities. We were able to provide sensible avenues of advice and conversations with families and pupils who had faced the same dilemmas.
To IB or not to IB?
The Governors of ************ and its Head wanted to consider if introducing the IB would enrich the school academically, help secure numbers and attract international students. Opinions differed widely within the Governing Body and Staff Room and in the public domain. They were keen to engage with educationalists and experienced professionals, with international experience, who could provide dispassionate advice to all stakeholders.
I need a Governor!
Ambassador ********* found that one position which traditionally went with his new post was to be Chair of Governors of an international school. He himself was highly academic but had no previous experience of governing a school. He acknowledged that it was vital for the school’s future that the Governing Body was robust and well-informed. He therefore turned to members of my team who could review the present composition and provide essential advice on suitable available governors and training to ensure best practice.
Will it work?
Terry was a key member of a company wishing to develop a new AI teaching package which it was hoped could be used domestically and internationally. Although he and his team were IT and AI wizards, they were clear that they needed to secure advice from senior educationalists and classroom teachers, at the school pit face, on the practical viability and logistical credibility of the proposal. We were able to link them with a suitable and wide-ranging sample of both, so that they could test the product’s credibility and anticipate possible flaws.
Brexit blues…
The Brexit vote led to Marcello and Alexia deciding to relocate to Switzerland. Both had been working happily in the UK for over 15 years. They had two sons aged 11 and 14. It was important for them to make an informed choice about future schooling. In some ways, they were spoilt for choice, given the range of impressive schools available. I was able to provide them with granulated advice. Within my team, were experts who had governed schools in Switzerland, and we have strong personal contacts with Heads, teachers and other families who had transitioned there.
University research.
International school ********** was establishing a very good reputation but was surrounded by equally impressive rival schools. It knew that parents were particularly concerned with university outcomes, focussing on Oxbridge and Russell Group universities. It was felt that a forensic assessment of the school’s results and university advice were necessary. We were able to provide such advice, suggest how their provision could be enhanced and offer a first-class team of possible mock-interviewers with an unrivalled track record of university success.
Investing in the future?
A group of potential investors in well-known chains of schools, which include significant UK members, was keen to get up-to-date advice on the impact of two key variables which might have significant consequences for schools’ financial viability. The possibility of a new Labour government imposing VAT and the ongoing debates surrounding the Teachers’ Pension Scheme are vital for their financial modelling. We were able to give them a very clear perspective on the possible impact across a significant range of key schools.
Access to experts wherever you are.
The newly appointed Head of ********* was aware that, in his previous UK post, his school’s preparation and mentoring for pupils wishing to enter prestigious international competitions such as the John Locke Prize, The Articulation Prize, The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition, and various Oxbridge faculty essay prizes, were far in advance of his new school. He was keen to address the lacunae, quickly, knowing that such prizes added to the calibre of a student’s university profile and the reputation of the school. He was aware that with Zoom and other platforms, he had the potential to use us to secure expert mentoring from some of the finest teachers in the UK.
The following supportive words have been received from international clients.
Please let me know if you’d like to read any letters of endorsement in full.
“We’ll be forever grateful to Paul for his guidance in steering our family to a successful path while illuminating the opacity of the UK’s educational landscape. In the end, through Paul’s support and dedication as an educator, our son gained acceptance to a number of prestigious secondary schools. One year after we left London, our son applied to a US-based secondary school. We called on Paul to write a Letter of Recommendation on our son’s behalf; that was a Thursday – the prospective school let us know they had Paul’s letter in-hand on Friday (inclusive of the 8-hour time difference). We are most grateful to Paul for his wisdom, knowledge, insight, and considerable experience – not to mention sense of urgency - in navigating today’s complex educational landscape. Today, our son attends Stanford University.”
Kerri Gutekunst
“I employed Paul to advise my SLT and governors at a critical time during my headship at the American School in London. His careful analysis, shrewd judgement and pragmatic advice proved invaluable. His advice on policy formation, staffing, compliance, and governance structure, led to important enhancements. His long and varied experience enables him to provide forensic advice which secures positive changes and effective collaboration.” Coreen R Hester
“Paul's profound understanding of diverse educational systems, coupled with his unique insights into identity and cultural heritage, position him uniquely to offer guidance and support that is both deeply thoughtful and highly effective. Anyone seeking advice in the realms of school leadership, educational strategy, or personal development will find in Paul not just a consultant, but a mentor who is genuinely invested in their success and well-being.” Yuan Liu
“Paul has an incredibly extensive network with regards to schools and universities which is invaluable. He really leverages this to ensure he is clear and up-to-date on what educational institutions are looking for in a candidate. He and his team then help students draw on their strengths to enable them to put their best self forward, whether this be for an entrance exam or interview.” Rakhi Williams
“If ‘knowledge is power,’ then Paul’s newly founded consultancy surely possesses some superpowers! It is difficult to envisage a stronger range of advisors with a better proven record of success in the educational sector or their other chosen professional domains. His LinedkIn endorsements and recommendations confirm a remarkable international outreach.” Marc Charlier