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RINCIPAL PPOINTS WITH LEADERS OF ECIS MEMBER SCHOOLS
JAMES “JAK” KEARNEY HEAD / CEO SOTOGRANDE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL | SPAIN
YOU HAVE 3 POST-IT NOTES TO WRITE DOWN ONE GOAL ON EACH FOR THE YEAR AHEAD, WHAT WOULD YOURS SAY? Jak Kearney is the Head and CEO of Sotogrande International School in Spain. Jak joined Sotogrande International School as the Head of Maths in September 2010 and was the chair of the steering committee for the CIS evaluation in 2013. He became Head in May 2014 and CEO in January 2018. Previously he has worked as a Deputy Head in the UK, an Advanced Skills teacher of maths in the UK and a Key Stage Leader in the Philippines.
This is funny as it could be answered using several different hats. I will answer as a school leader for my school. Goal 1: To continue to invest in, listen to and develop the School Leadership Team. Leadership for me is not a one man show. It is about the team, we are the ones who make decisions, guide our school, set the direction, listen to the needs, wants and desires of the community and ensure we balance our mission and margin. The great work we have done at Sotogrande is due to the team, therefore investment in them remains the key for me.
With over 20 years’ experience teaching and leading in schools around the world, Jak has found a home at Sotogrande, where he has been able to work as part of a team to lead an incredible IB World day and boarding school, which offers extraordinary educational experiences, provides a wide range of opportunities for students to explore their curiosities and passions and uses education as a force for good in the world.
Goal 2: To consistently employ the strategy of raising achievement for all, aka RAFA! This goal is not about developing language, improving maths, increasing IB results, etc.. It pushes further than this. It shouts and sings about knowledgeable child centred education. If we as teachers really know our students, then we can help every student at every level become better, reflect on their learning, understand their strengths and weaknesses and become better, more in-tune learners.
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT HOW YOU CAME TO BE IN SPAIN? Honestly this move was all down to my wife! I loved International Education and, when we started our family, we decided it would be great to be closer to ‘home’. We moved back to the UK from South East Asia. However, we felt uncertain about where we wanted our own children to be educated. One cold day in the UK, my wife sent me a text saying bring back a bottle of Champers, I have found us a job abroad! I was delighted and what sealed it for us, was the visit to the school. We met a community of staff, who shared a similar vision about education as us. We met the graduating class, who were well grounded, confident, knowledgeable, polite and able to challenge. This is what we wanted both as parents and as professionals. Honestly we have not looked back. I guess you know home when you find it.
Goal 3: To enhance and increase our provision to create opportunities for students. Schools for me are about opportunity. Everyone is great and brilliant at something, some people are great and brilliant at more than one thing. My desire is for every child to feel special. To know that they have tried lots of different things out and found something that they love, enjoy, and are great at. This is the sweet spot. Our role as teachers and leaders is to create these opportunities in art, drama, dance, music, science, technology, maths, engineering, sports and public speaking. You name it, we should do our utmost to provide an opportunity for students to explore, alongside passionate, inspirational educators. If you want to see this in action come to Sotogrande!
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