I write about all things global education from the perspective of a teacher, school leader and as the CEO and Director of the International School Rheintal, Switzerland. Education is one of the most powerful gifts that we can give our young people and I look forward to sharing experiences, ideas and thoughts as we strive for education excellence and equality for all.
Liz Free FCCT FRSA
Teachers Talk Radio|3/21/2024 Michelle is joined by special guest Liz Free to discuss the challenges faced by women in education and how they are being overcome every day. At what rate are glass ceilings being smashed? We find out!
The art and science of learning
A leader in Switzerland discusses the importance of using software to help track pupil issues and updating PSHE programmes if incidents occur 25th January 2024, 6:00am TES Magazine Liz Free In this instalment in our Safeguarding Around the World series, we head to Switzerland to chat with Liz Free, CEO and director of International School… Continue reading Safeguarding Around the World: Spotting patterns
A dog on the loose during drop-off taught this leader that all schools need to have a plan to deal with the risk of a dog attack 25th October 2023, 6:00am, TES Magazine Liz Free The news reports about people being attacked and even killed by the American bully XL dog breed have been shocking.… Continue reading Near-miss dog attack was a wake-up call for our school
We have heard so much today about building on all that has gone before. To all of the community that supported the very inception of an idea of an international school in the alpen rheintal region, we say thank you. To the Hilti family, the Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein and the Hilti Company, we could… Continue reading My Opening Thank You Event Speech: ISR Opens its New Campus
Coaching is becoming ever more commonplace in education. But is it worth it? And how do you get the most out of it? Tes speaks to a raft of leaders to find out Full article By Ben Jones Liz Free, director and chief executive of International School Rheintal In 2020, in the middle of the… Continue reading Does every school leader need a coach?
Vivienne Porritt with Lisa Hannay and Liz Free explore how the WomenEd network has connected women leaders, given them a voice and opened up opportunities for professional and personal development. Published by Professional Development Today in April 2023 Connecting, supporting and empowering women leaders The WomenEd network inspires and supports women educators and leaders to… Continue reading Disruptors, Innovators, Changemakers: The Global WomenEd Network
It is exciting times at the school and community that I have the privilege to lead. We are about to move to a beautiful ecologically thoughtfully designed new campus in the summer. At periods of transition, we are invited to reflect and take stock, whilst also thinking about our aspirations for the future. As a… Continue reading Founder’s Day: Honouring All That Has Gone Before
Liz Free – An Example of Tenacity and Hard Work, Elite Education Magazine “A dedicated educational leader is driven by the enthusiasm to educate others. They are passionate, hardworking, and always focused on learning something new. One such enthusiastic and positive leader with the zeal to educate others and strive for excellence in every activity… Continue reading The Most Inspiring Education Leaders of 2022
Tes talks with Liz Free, CEO of an IB continuum school in Switzerland, about how leaders can make the most of their governors, and about the tricky question of when schools should bring in outside consultants 30th September 2022, 12:00pm (TES Podcast) Dan Worth In this episode of the Tes International podcast, we chat with Liz Free,… Continue reading Podcast: How to build relationships with your governors
I was delighted to work with the inspiring Nilmini Ratwatte Henstridge (@NRatwatte) to consider how we can best support displaced students in the international school community. Having experienced displacement in her own life, her insights and reflections are so pertinent valuable for us all.Please listen away and also read Nilmini’s piece. https://www.schoolrubric.org/welcoming-students-who-are-displaced-in-your-community-traveling-to-switzerland/
1st June 2022 70 years ago tomorrow, Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, became Queen. She made this commitment on her coronation day: ‘I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be… Continue reading Address to the ISR Graduates 2022
you’ve always had the power my dear you just had to learn it for yourself…
#Breakthebias #IWD22
Apart from quite liking the appearance of the number 33, I now am properly branded 33 (not in age unfortunately!). Today, I unexpectedly received an email from ISC Research informing me that I am officially one of the top influencers of 2021 within international education; I am 33rd. ISC Research, the leading provider of English-medium… Continue reading I’m 33rd in the world!
n the latest article in our Wellbeing Around the World series, we chat to Liz Free, CEO and director at International School Rheintal (ISR) in Switzerland, an IB World School, about how she made improving staff wellbeing a key focus when she took on her role and the initiatives she introduced to deliver on this aim.
A conversation with Liz Free CEO and Director at International School Rheintal & Viki Stiebert Director at International School of Bergen
Having just sifted through 146 applications for two jobs, this headteacher offers advice to candidates to ensure they don’t fall at the first hurdle in the job hunt (published TES 6th December 2021) We recently advertised for two newly created head of school positions at my school. We received 146 applications. What was so striking… Continue reading How to ensure your job application leaps off the page
First published 14/06/21 on the International Schools Network (ISN) https://edco-isn-staging.edcowebsites.co.uk/articles/open/being-braver-how-can-you-make-steps-into-leadership/ We need great leaders, full stop. This matters. This matters because every person working in our schools matters. And it is our leaders in our communities that act as the cohesion, the cohesive unifying force that supports us all on our paths, empowering our community. … Continue reading Being Braver: How Can You Make Steps Into Leadership?
Yesterday, we saw the graduation of our 2020-2021 Grade 12 students. We are all so proud of their achievements, resilience and grit in the face of a global pandemic and also the young adults they have become. They are a product of an ISR education, a truly international education, and we stand with them on… Continue reading To the ISR class of 2020-2021
The simple act of giving doughnuts to school staff is a powerful expression of gratitude and togetherness, says Liz Free. It’s been over a year. We are still teaching through a global pandemic. Our school staff are tired. A question hit me: Is this the moment for doughnuts? Read full article on TES Published 26/3/21 https://www.tes.com/news/covid-schools-teachers-why-we-must-still-find-moments-joy-pandemic
A powerful source of learning and culture in any organization can come from having a well structured and supported learning community. It may be difficult in busy workplaces to prioritize creating and supporting learning communities, but the benefits of doing so are numerous and can be the glue that holds everything together. To discuss the… Continue reading Podcast S3 E7 Learning Communities: How to foster continuous learning. www.theartandscienceoflearning.com
Podcast international education with Liz Free and Simon Noakes
In 2006 I made my first foray into international education, as I headed to the States. Optimistic, but slightly terrified, I boldly strode into the unknown. Maybe shuffled is a better description, as I was slightly weighed down by books. Books. I love books; heavy, weighty, weathered or worn. I love them all, and I keep… Continue reading New Year’s Resolution; Less Books?
Liz Free (@LizAmfree) with Dan Worth (@DanWorth), Senior Editor, TES – released 24th November 2020 In the latest edition of the Tes International podcast we chat with Liz Free, the director and CEO of International School Rheintal in Switzerland. She discusses the challenge that international schools have faced this year, given that their usual routes to connecting with… Continue reading TES Podcast: Why maintaining international networks matters
It’s September 2020. Many in our global community have been through a transition; whether directly affected by COVID-19, moving to new roles, being repatriated or being on lockdown and separated from family and friends. Whether old or young, the world has faced unprecedented levels of life change. Directly correlated to life change is physical wellness.… Continue reading Moving Through a Global Pandemic (‘International School Leader’ Magazine)
These have been unusual times; a year unprecedented in so many ways. This period of stillness and reflection as we move through the summer offers an opportunity to take stock, reflect and plan for the future. I prepared this session in June for #UKEdChat, with filming and presentation support from my daughter, as we were… Continue reading Becoming an International School Teacher #GlobalProfession
A version of this was originally published in the ‘Tes Magazine’ on 27 March 2020 and the ILA ‘Rethinking Education‘ blog on 23 April 2020 I originally wrote this piece in January 2020. Little did I know then about how the world would change so fast and the significance and volume of decision making that our school… Continue reading Decisions, Decisions… How can school leaders become better decision-makers?
This article first appeared in International School Magazine January 2020 Issue and was subsequently published on the ‘Rethinking Education’ International Leadership Academy Blog My eight-year-old daughter has discovered the potential of Alexa in all her glory! It appears that ‘True Colours’ (the Joshua Radin version, interestingly) and ‘Where have all the flowers Gone?’ are the hits… Continue reading Where Have all the Teachers Gone?
Article written by Claudia Civinini, TES, 09 December 2019 – Interview with Liz free A quarter of teachers in the UK, Ireland, US and Australia would have to move abroad to teach in international schools each year up to 2029 to meet the sector’s growing demand, an expert has warned. Liz Free, founding director of the… Continue reading One in four teachers “needed overseas by 2029” International schools’ growth plans face setbacks unless a million English-speaking teachers can be found, expert warns
It is THE question that cuts to the core of what we believe as teachers and school leaders. Just as Hamlet faced core moments of ethical quandary, so do we as educationalists. And it is in these moments of adversity, of challenging financial times, that the decisions we make about appropriate funding (in all its… Continue reading To PD or not to PD? That’s the Question…
What is great leadership in 2019? Leadership looks exactly the same today as it always has; or does it? I was recently asked by Independent Education Today ‘What does great school leadership look like in 2019?’ Well, I would argue that in many ways it looks the same as it always has been, but with a few very visible… Continue reading Great Leaders Inspire Greatness in Others: Leadership in 2019
Published by COBIS on #IWD19 (https://www.cobis.org.uk/blog/international-perspectives-social-moral-and-economic-imperatives-for-leadership-iwd19) ‘Gender inequality is not only a pressing moral and social issue but also a critical economic challenge. If women—who account for half the world’s population—do not achieve their full economic potential, the global economy will suffer.’ (McKinsey 2015) Last year I was invited to write a chapter exploring international… Continue reading International Perspectives: Social, Moral and Economic Imperatives for Leadership #IWD19 #BalanceforBetter
Am feeling excited on this #SuperSaturday as the new @WomenEd book has now been published by Sage. Written by the community for the community, I feel really privileged to have been able to contribute to this global movement and bring an international perspective to the book. ‘Be 10% Braver NOW! We are delighted to announce… Continue reading 10% Braver: Inspiring Women to Lead Education
The Biggest Threat to Global Education… Us? Brain Drain or Brain Boost?
One of my most favourite things about summer holidays is that I get time to read. I plan my book purchases well in advance (with true antiquated sentiment I cling on to my hardbacks) and buy actual newspapers! I read fervently everyday before falling into a siesta slumber every afternoon. An article that begin ruminating… Continue reading The 10 Questions You Should Ask Your Team…
Inspirational Leadership? I was recently asked ‘which women leaders do you most admire?’ This stumped me. There are so many inspirational leaders to choose from; great performers, educationalists, entrepreneurs, scientists and humanitarians alongside everyday acts of leadership I see in schools from staff and pupils who have significantly influenced their fields, their environments and the… Continue reading Inspirational Leadership? Which women leaders do you most admire? I’m Stumped. #IWD2018
‘Student-Centered Leadership’, Viviane Robinson, Book Review by Liz Free. First Published by the Chartered College (7/11/17) Details Book title: Student-Centered Leadership Author: Viviane Robinson Publication date: 2011 The review 1. What is your overall impression of the book? In the age of education fad and fashion, Student-Centered Leadership is a haven of sensibility that… Continue reading In the age of education fad and fashion, Student-Centered Leadership is a haven of sensibility that calls to every education leader to put ‘education back into education leadership’.
0.7%, 1%, 2% of school budget/revenue, more? This is a question that I get asked on a weekly basis. How much should we be spending on CPD? How much is enough? I often reference Viviane Robinson’s work from a Best Evidence Synthesis (BES) where she identifies the leadership dimension of ‘leading teacher learning and development’… Continue reading CPD Spend; How Much is Enough?
It’s Super Saturday! Three international Six Nations matches in one day as we reach the climax of finale competition weekend and the prospect of an epic England back-to-back grand slam victory (a feat only achieved five times in 107 years). England seek their 19th successive test win as they prepare to meet age-old rivals Ireland,… Continue reading Super Saturday: Good to Great?
Recently I delivered some workshops at conferences for senior education leaders looking at CPD as a core lever for school improvement and the international research evidence in this field (impressively dynamic & exciting despite the rather apparently dry content). I enthusiastically talked about research and impact, raising a rallying call to school leaders across… Continue reading We spend more on toilet paper and hand wash than CPD
By Hannah Burke-Tomlinson · 23 minute read The 2021 report titled ‘Determining the Diversity Baseline in International Schools’ – conducted by the Council of International Schools (CIS) in association with the Diversity Collaborative, International School Services (ISS), and George Mason University – shone a spotlight on the extent to which the international education sector continues to provide inequitable leadership opportunities for women and educators of colour. The… Continue reading International Women’s Day 2023 | Celebrating Outstanding Leaders in International Education | Part 3: Europe
“Great leaders inspire greatness in others” 