Governance Training & Mediation Services for International Schools

What We Offer

  • We lead tailored and interactive training sessions, workshops and retreats to enhance board members' understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Our trainings are designed to be engaging, practical and customized, and to cover a comprehensive range of topics relevant to each school’s governance structure. These topics may include:

    • Roles and Responsibilities – Clarifying board members' duties and responsibilities, and their impact on school leadership and success.

    • Board Composition & Expertise – Determining the ideal size, composition and skillsets for a well-functioning board.

    • Effective Meetings & Decision-Making – Optimizing meeting structures, transparency and governance processes.

    • Committee Structures – Establishing efficient, purpose-driven committees that enhance board effectiveness.

    • Oversight vs. Operations – Defining the board’s strategic role versus the school administration’s operational responsibilities.

    • Conflict Resolution & Leadership Transitions – Managing disagreements constructively and ensuring smooth leadership transitions.

    • Governance Policies & Documentation – Developing and maintaining key policies, charters and accountability frameworks.

  • We provide comprehensive policy review, development and drafting services to support robust governance frameworks.

    We help you:

    • identify the key documents required to ensure effective governance; and

    • review, refine or draft governing documents, key policies and ancillary documents (e.g., delegations of authority).

  • We provide confidential mediation services to help resolve conflicts constructively.

    Our neutral, structured facilitation supports boards in navigating disputes either: (a) among members of the board; or (b) between the board, on the one hand, and the head of school or other members of a school’s senior leadership team, on the other hand.

FAQs

Governance Training

  • Our training is designed for current and incoming board members and members of your school’s senior leadership team.

  • Our sessions cover essential governance principles, including:

    • roles and responsibilities of the board;

    • board composition and expertise;

    • effective meetings and decision-making;

    • committee structures;

    • oversight v. operations

    • conflict resolution and leadership transitions; and

    • governance policies and documentation.

  • We offer flexible and tailored formats, including half-day workshops, full-day sessions and multi-day retreats, depending on your board’s or senior leadership team’s needs and availability.

  • Yes, we offer both in-person and virtual training options to accommodate different preferences and logistical constraints.

  • A strong governance structure ensures that a board operates effectively, maintains comprehensive oversight, makes informed decisions and supports its school’s leadership team.

    Further, a productive and effective board will contribute to a stable, strategic and mission-driven organization.

Board Policies

  • Yes. If your board or school lacks certain policies, we can develop and draft them based on governance best practices, legal requirements and your school’s specific priorities.

  • Your policies should be reviewed regularly — at least every 2 to 3 years — to ensure they remain relevant and aligned with evolving governance standards, regulatory changes and your school’s needs.

  • Absolutely. We tailor policies to reflect your board’s structure, decision-making processes and unique governance needs, and to be in compliance with best practices.

  • Yes. We offer guidance and training sessions to help board members, school leaders and staff understand new or updated policies and integrate them effectively into governance practices and day-to-day activities..

Mediation Services

  • We facilitate resolution of disputes between: (a) individual board members; and (b) the board, on the one hand, or the head of school, on the other hand. Our mediation services address governance and strategy disagreements, leadership challenges, decision-making conflicts and other issues that may hinder effective collaboration.

  • We provide a confidential, structured process that includes:

    • understanding the concerns and needs of all parties involved;

    • facilitating open and respectful dialogue;

    • identifying common ground and underlying issues; and

    • developing mutually agreeable solutions to move forward.

  • Yes. Our discussions will remain private and confidential.

  • We recommend that you consider mediation in the event that a conflict is impacting decision-making, relationships, the board’s ability to govern effectively or the head of school’s ability to operate effectively. Mediation can prevent prolonged disputes and help restore trust and collaboration.

Imagine what we can build together.