Single-Gender Education

A Course for Teachers New to Boys' Schools

June 2 – 20, 2025

An IBSC Online Classonline class

 

  

Connect and collaborate with other teachers to explore best practice and research in boys' classrooms in this online course created specifically for teachers newly hired at boys' schools. 

Learn from panels of school heads, alumni, experienced teachers, and new teachers from around the globe. Discover ways to create a collaborative, student-centered learning space, including how technology can help achieve your goals. Ultimately, you'll gain a sharper understanding of what it means to work in a boys' school and how you can cultivate a classroom atmosphere and curriculum that maximize how boys learn. Plus, you'll develop a personal network of peers worldwide to rely on long after the course concludes.

By the end of the four-week experience, you'll:

  • Have a clear sense of what it means to work in an all-boys school;
  • Understand ways to create a classroom atmosphere and curriculum that maximize how boys learn; and
  • Connect with an international cohort of first-year faculty members.

Class Format

Classes run asynchronously, so there is no specific time each week when you must attend online. Plan to spend at least 3-5 hours each week the class is in session. Plus, take advantage of the opportunity to collaborate and engage in discussion with colleagues.

Registration

  • IBSC member rate: US $495
  • Nonmember rate: US $645
  • IBSC South Africa member rate: US $375

Please note: Watch for login information for your online class the Friday before it opens. If you registered for the class after the Friday before it beings, watch for login information within 24 hours.

Refund Policy
IBSC will refund 90% of registration fees if a written request is received two weeks prior to the class. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after this time. Schools seeking to register an alternate to replace a participant unable to attend should contact IBSC@theibsc.org.

Class Reviews

97% of participants said they would recommend this course to a colleague.
100% of participants said they were offered regular and helpful feedback on their work in the course.
100% of participants said the content met the learning objectives for the course.

"I thought I knew a lot about teaching boys, but this course opened my eyes to many aspects about teaching them that I wasn't aware about. It is a great introduction to teaching at an all boys school!" — Educator from Selwyn House School (Canada)

"This course was informative, insightful, and interesting. I now have the tools I need to 'speak boy.'" — Educator from St. Augustine's College (Australia)

"A 'must-do' course for any teacher new to boys' schools. It could make a steep learning curve more manageable and while it can't replace experience, it can certainly put you in a position to gain the most from your experience." — Educator from Michaelhouse (South Africa)

Facilitator

David KnowlesDavid Knowles

David Knowles retired as the executive headmaster of Clifton School (South Africa) at the end of 2021, a position he had held since 2018. Prior to this appointment, he served as headmaster of St. Stithians Boys’ College (South Africa) in Johannesburg for 11 years. Knowles was the deputy headmaster at the Boys’ College before his promotion and has previously worked at Kearsney College in KwaZulu-Natal where he was senior housemaster, Dale College in the Eastern Cape, and Bryanston High School in Johannesburg. He taught history and English; coached rugby, swimming, and water polo; and served on various school and regional educational committees. 

Knowles currently serves on the board of the Independent Examination Board (the IEB), chaired the Central Region of SAHISA (the Independent Schools’ Heads Association) for four years, and served on the ISASA Council for eight years. He served as a trustee on the IBSC Board of Trustees starting in 2012, serving as vice chair for Africa from 2015-20. He was also vice chair of South African Schools Rowing from 2011-17. 

Knowles is passionate about the role that boys’ schools can and should play in the development of “good men” to counter such societal issues as gender-based violence and unhealthy versions of masculinity. He was also heavily involved in the designing and implementation of whole-school, time-tabled leadership development programs and curricula. Similarly, he views the implementation of effective staff professional development programs as critical to a school’s success.

Knowles is a graduate of Rhodes University, where he was head student of his residence for two years. He obtained a B.A. (Hons) and an HDE. He also has a post-graduate diploma in educational management from UNISA/CESA and attended Harvard University’s post-graduate course in leadership and vision. He has been married to Susannah for almost 37 years and they have two adult children. Knowles remains interested in education, but having sold his BMW tourer, now enjoys watching sport, reading, history, and tending his bonsai collection!