Midway through his first year as Director of the International School of Stavanger, Simon Gillespie has been reflecting on the realities of stepping into leadership at a well established international school.
Recently, Pauline O’Brien, Director of Global Recruitment Strategy & Leadership at International Schools Services (ISS), caught up with Simon to hear how things have been unfolding since he took on the role last summer.
For Simon, the months since his arrival have been a period of steady learning and practical leadership.
“Every school has its own way of doing things,” he said. “One of the first priorities is understanding how systems work and making sure people feel supported as you begin working together.”
That process has included identifying small but meaningful early wins while building trust with staff and the wider community.
“You look for opportunities where a small adjustment can make things work a little better,” Simon explained. “Those early changes can help people see that you are listening and paying attention.”
Staff responses have been encouraging. According to Simon, open conversations with colleagues have helped build a shared understanding of priorities and next steps.
“There’s a lot of professionalism and experience within the team,” he noted. “When people feel part of the conversation, progress tends to follow.”
The discussion also explored how schools support leaders when they first arrive. Having gone through the experience himself, Simon reflected on how onboarding processes can continue to evolve.
“New leaders benefit enormously from having clear structures and people around them who help them understand the school quickly,” he said. “It makes the transition smoother for everyone.”
For Pauline, these reflections resonate with what she often sees in leadership transitions across international schools.
“One of the things I always find interesting is how leaders identify those early priorities,” she said. “Simon spoke very practically about focusing on systems, communication and supporting the people around him. Those are often the foundations that allow schools to move forward.”
Their conversation also touched briefly on the wider landscape of international education and the changing environment in which schools operate, including shifts in professional learning and the growing influence of technology.
Despite those broader developments, Simon believes the essentials of school leadership remain the same.
“At the end of the day, leadership is about people,” he said. “If you focus on supporting staff and creating a positive environment for students, the rest tends to follow.”
As the school year continues, Simon’s attention remains on strengthening systems, supporting staff and ensuring the school continues to provide a strong environment for learning.
“There’s always more to learn,” he said. “But that’s part of what makes the role interesting.”
Reflecting afterwards, Pauline said she appreciated hearing such practical insights into the experience of stepping into a new headship.
“Conversations like this remind me how thoughtful leaders approach the early stages of a role,” she said. “Simon spoke very openly about what he has been learning along the way, and that kind of reflection often shapes the strongest leadership journeys.”
You can also read Simon Gillespie’s original ISS Leadership Spotlight from October 2024, reflections from when he accepted his position at International School of Stavanger.
