IBSC Ideas Lab
Professional Conversations for Directors of Professional Development in Boys' Schools
Starting February 12, 2026
This IBSC Ideas Lab has reached capacity. Please contact Bruce Collins at collins@theibsc.org to add your name to the waitlist. Thank you.
IBSC Ideas Lab invites leaders of professional development (PD) in boys’ schools to connect virtually using Zoom. Limited to 14 participants plus the facilitator, this IBSC Ideas Lab includes three one-hour sessions for participants to discuss relevant topics.
Designed as an interactive exchange among colleagues, IBSC Ideas Lab engages dedicated educators who learn and grow together. Before each session participants engage with relevant resources to provide a foundation for discussions. Together we surface fresh ideas and build mutual support structures and enduring professional friendships.
Available exclusively to IBSC member schools, first-time participants who can commit to joining all three sessions get preference in registration to support the success of each small group. No more than two participants from one school may register for an IBSC Ideas Lab.
In the spirit of open dialogue and collaboration, IBSC Ideas Labs are not recorded, allowing participants the freedom to express themselves openly and share their experiences candidly.
Who Should Attend?
Leaders and directors of professional development in boys’ schools
Format
IBSC Ideas Lab attendees participate in three scheduled one-hour calls using Zoom. Ingrid Howren, associate head of the Crowther Centre at Brighton Grammar School (Australia), facilitates each session.
Conversation Topics
Conversation 1
Supporting Middle Leaders to Thrive
Thursday, February 12, 2026, 3:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM GMT, 9:00 PM CET, 10:00 PM CAT
Friday, February 13, 2026, 7:00 AM AEDT, 9:00 NZDT
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes
As leaders of professional development, how can we best equip our middle leaders to not only manage but truly thrive in their complex roles? Middle leaders are the essential engine of our schools, yet they often face immense pressure that impacts both their professional effectiveness and personal well-being.
Join a candid conversation with your peers to explore how a coaching approach can empower your school's middle leadership. Share the successful coaching frameworks and professional leadership development programs you’ve implemented. Engage with fellow directors to discuss practical strategies for providing the personal well-being support that helps leaders navigate the unique demands of working in a boys' school.
Conversation 2
Healthy Masculinities and Learning
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 3:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM GMT, 9:00 PM CET, 10:00 PM CAT
Friday, February 20, 2026, 7:00 AM AEDT, 9:00 NZDT
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes
How do we bridge the gap between understanding healthy masculinities and seeing a tangible impact on our boys' academic success? How can professional development programs equip our staff with a deep understanding of the realities our boys face and how can we leverage that understanding to enhance learning?
Engage in a dynamic conversation about implementing effective, school-wide programs focused on healthy masculinities. Share your experiences and learn from fellow leaders about what works in the classroom, on the sports field, and in the co-curricular space. Let’s collaboratively explore how a modern understanding of masculinity can become a powerful tool for improving academic outcomes for all our students.
Conversation 3
Women Leading in Boys’ Schools
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 3:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM GMT, 9:00 PM CET, 10:00 PM CAT
Friday, February 27, 2026, 7:00 AM AEDT, 9:00 NZDT
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes
What does intentional and impactful professional development look like for the talented women leaders and educators in our schools? How can we move beyond assumptions and create proactive opportunities that genuinely support, retain, and amplify their vital contributions to the education of boys?
Join this vital conversation to discuss how to design and implement robust professional development programs tailored for women in boys’ schools. Share your experiences with successful mentorship programs, coaching initiatives, and leadership pathways that have made a difference in your community. Together let’s explore strategies to ensure the women on our staff feel valued and are given every opportunity to lead and flourish.
Registration
IBSC member rate: US $180
This IBSC Ideas Lab has reached capacity. Please contact Bruce Collins at collins@theibsc.org to add your name to the waitlist. Thank you.
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend, you must cancel your registration in writing by emailing IBSC@theibsc.org by January 28, 2026. IBSC will refund 90% of registration fees if a written request is received via email by this date. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after this date. Schools seeking to register an alternate to replace a participant unable to attend should contact IBSC@theibsc.org.
Please note: Watch your email for login information for this IBSC Ideas Lab by February 4, 2026. If you registered later than this date, watch for login information within 24 hours.
Participation certificates: Participants present for all three conversations will receive a certificate of participation within two weeks of the final session.
Facilitator
Ingrid Howren
Ingrid Howren is an expert in health, well-being, and physical education, specializing in both junior and senior schools for over 15 years sharing her passion for leadership, curriculum creation, and well-being.
In a dual role, working as the associate head of the Crowther Centre, Positive Masculinity and within the Positive Masculinity Foundation, Howren draws on her expertise in empowering staff to increase their impact on students. Her work is driven by a profound commitment to nurturing positive change in masculinities and shaping a more inclusive, balanced world where everyone can thrive. In these roles she inspires and empowers staff, students, and parents to engage with the +M Framework, a strengths-based model designed to address gender-specific challenges and promote cognitive, social, and emotional development in young people.
A certified cognitive coach, Howren supports school leaders, educators, and coaches across Australia through one-on-one coaching and dynamic presentations on leadership development. Her efforts focus on enhancing leadership capacity, promoting well-being, and deepening engagement among boys in schools by creating impactful and lasting change.