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Governance Foundations For International Schools

Leading Together

AVAILABLE FREE AS PART OF ECIS MEMBERSHIP

Board members—whatever their title: trustee, governor, director, shareholder or owner—working in partnership with the head of school—whether called general director, CEO, headteacher, superintendent, or rector—play a vital leadership role in ensuring the international school they serve thrives in pursuit of its mission.This self-paced course builds a shared understanding of effective governance and leadership in international schools worldwide.
Grounded in principles of good governance drawn from independent-school associations, accreditation standards, global experts, and current research, it explores the fiduciary, strategic, and generative dimensions of governance, with special emphasis on the partnership between those who govern and those who lead.

WHO IT’S FOR

Current and prospective board members
Current and aspiring heads of school and senior leaders working with boards
Ex-officio or advisory board and committee members, including board secretaries or administrators who support governance logistics (minutes, agendas, archives)
Anyone seeking a concise, evidence-based introduction to international-school governance

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

Across seven short, stand-alone modules (take them in any order), participants explore:

The core purposes and functions of the board
Effective structure, policy, and delegation
Strategy, sustainability, and risk oversight
The board–head partnership and performance evaluation
Building accountability, culture, and communication
Embedding continuous improvement and reflective practice

Each module’s core content takes 10–20 minutes to complete. Optional resources add another 10–20 minutes for deeper exploration.

COURSE FEATURES

Complete the course independently, fully asynchronous.
Use any device—laptop, tablet, or phone—and learn when and where it suits you.

ACCESS & CERTIFICATION

12-month access and an ECIS Certificate of Completion (digital badge).
The head of school is expected to participate alongside board members, reflecting the partnership philosophy central to this course.
For full details of course costs, please visit the link below. If you have any questions about this course, please email governance@ecis.org.

Module 1 – Who and What Governs the Governing Board

Understand where a board’s authority truly comes from and what governs the governors. This module clarifies the frameworks—legal, policy, and ethical—that define accountability and protect the school’s mission.

 
Module 2 – How Mission and Values Guide the Board

See how your school’s mission and values become daily decision-making tools, not wall art. You’ll learn how boards keep these guiding statements alive and aligned with strategy, culture, and community.
Module 3 – What Are the Functions and Structure of the Board

Explore the essential roles, committees, and systems that keep governance effective and collaborative. This module shows how clear structure supports transparency, trust, and results.
Module 4 – What Are the Board’s Essential Annual Responsibilities

Get practical about the “must-do” work of the board each year—from budgets and evaluation to strategic priorities. You’ll see how a disciplined annual rhythm anchors focus and continuity.
Module 5 – What Are the Duties of an Individual Board Member

Clarify your role as a trustee and what effective service really looks like. This module helps members balance advocacy with oversight and contribute to a cohesive, high-performing team.
Module 6 – How Does the Board Partner with the Head of School

Discover what makes the Head-Board relationship the cornerstone of school success. Through examples and reflection, you’ll see how trust, communication, and shared purpose turn partnership into leadership.
Module 7 – What Practices Drive Effective Meetings and Continuous Improvement

Learn how smart meeting design and ongoing self-assessment keep a board focused and forward-looking. This module shares proven habits that make governance both productive and rewarding.

Child protection training for governors and owners

Establishing a successful safeguarding culture in a school results from professional learning that includes everyone who works in or for a school — from teaching staff through school leadership and governing stakeholders. This course meets accreditation and/or inspection requirements to demonstrate that the board of governors (trustees) and owners (if applicable) are cognisant of their role in protecting children.