#ISLECISLoft: Leading with Impact: Creating a Positive School Culture: 15 October
#ISLECISLoft: Leading with Impact: Creating a Positive School Culture: 15 October
15 October | 16:00 -17:00 (London time)
Creating and promoting a positive school culture is essential to fostering a nurturing, inclusive, and supportive environment, especially within the unique context of an international school. This one-hour #ISLECISLoft session is designed for teachers, leaders, and support staff who want to understand how to develop and sustain a positive school culture that promotes student well-being, academic excellence, and community cohesion.
Dr. Omolola Wright-Odusoga and James Penstone are the featured guest speakers with extensive leadership experience in international schools. These accomplished international school leaders will share their valuable insights, strategies, and practical solutions to help enhance a school’s culture.
Takeaways for participants
- Insights on Inclusivity and Community Engagement: Participants will gain valuable insights from our guest speakers on how they have successfully implemented strategies that promote inclusivity, foster open communication, and engage the entire school community.
- Learn from their real-world experiences on how to bridge cultural differences and ensure every member of the community feels valued and respected.
- Expert Tools to Foster Well-being and Belonging: Through the experiences shared by our guest leaders, attendees will discover practical tools and frameworks used to promote the well-being of both students and staff.
- Learn how these experts have created environments that foster a strong sense of belonging, celebrate diversity, and support mental health.
- Proven Steps for Sustaining a Positive School Culture: Participants will leave with actionable steps shared by our guest speakers on how they have sustained a positive school culture.
- Hear how these leaders have implemented ongoing reflection, community-building initiatives, and continuous assessments to foster an environment of growth and improvement.
About the presenters
Dr. Omolola Wright-Odusoga is a passionate and transformative educational leader with over 18 years of experience in education, leadership, and administration. Her career, with a global outlook, has taken her across the UK and the Middle East, where she has worked in various teaching and leadership roles. Notably, she was the Founding Head of School for two schools, which allowed her to combine her love for education with her expertise in school start-ups and curriculum development.
Dr. Wright-Odusoga is known for her unwavering commitment to creating a cohesive and supportive learning environment for everyone involved—students, parents, faculty, and staff alike. Her focus is on nurturing respect and productivity in all aspects of school life. She brings a wealth of knowledge to her work, with a deep understanding of educational policy, government guidelines, and accreditation standards.
Collaboration and communication are at the heart of her leadership style. Whether building relationships with students, mentoring new principals, or working with government and school accreditation officials and educational stakeholders, Dr. Wright-Odusoga’s goal is always to create environments where students can thrive. She’s also committed to helping other educators by offering advice and guidance for success.
Currently, she’s leading an international school and navigating the complexities of ensuring every student has access to high-quality teaching and learning post-COVID.
James Penstone is the Secondary Principal at ICS Inter-Community School Zurich, where he leads strategic initiatives that foster a positive school culture, emphasising student well-being, academic excellence, and student agency. He champions distributed leadership, carefully navigating the complexities of modern education by working closely with senior and middle leaders to promote sustainable, transformative change.
Previously, James served as Cross-Campus Principal at Bangkok Patana School, where he advanced school-wide initiatives in educational technology, global citizenship, and intercultural education. His leadership consistently integrates student, staff, and community voices to drive meaningful school improvements.
A passionate advocate for holistic, values-driven education, James focuses on well-being, effective feedback, professional growth, and both cultural and environmental sustainability. He strives to co-construct future-ready, inclusive school communities where both students and staff can thrive in dynamic and supportive environments.