IBSC Ideas Lab

Professional Conversations for Senior Leaders of Boys’ Schools

United Kingdom and Europe

IBSC Ideas Lab invites senior leaders of member schools in the United Kingdom and Europe to connect virtually using the free online tool Zoom. Limited to 12 participants plus facilitators, each IBSC Ideas Lab includes three one-hour sessions for participants to discuss topics focused on boys and boys’ schools.

Designed as an interactive exchange among colleagues, IBSC Ideas Lab engages dedicated educators who learn and grow together. Each session starts with a 10-minute introduction from a global guest to jumpstart a facilitated conversation on the topic. 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 every session within a cohort get preference in registration to support the success of each small group.

Who Should Attend?

Senior leaders from member schools, including deputy heads, directors, division heads, executive committee members, and others who aspire to headship of a boys’ school in the United Kingdom and Europe

Course Format

IBSC Ideas Lab attendees participate in three scheduled one-hour calls using Zoom. Alastair Land, headmaster, Harrow School (United Kingdom), facilitates each session with thought-provoking input from guest presenters who contextualize each topic. This IBSC Ideas Lab focuses on these topics:

Conversation 1

Wednesday, September 23, 3:00 – 4:00 PM BST

Topics Facing Heads of Boys’ Schools

Guest Presenter: Byron Hulsey, Headmaster, Woodberry Forest School (United States)

What issues at your school keep you up at night and occupy your thoughts during the day? Engage with fellow heads of school to examine and discuss such issues as following school mission and values, considering their relevancy in today’s climate, creating a welcoming environment for boys, cultivating connection among boys, staff, and families, welcoming and acclimating new families and staff, building equity and inclusion, exploring concepts of masculinity, finding best practices to educate boys, and strengthening leadership and governance. Dive into how these vital issues impact boys and our schools.

Conversation 2

Tuesday, October 20, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM BST

The Head and the Heart

Guest Presenter: Lester Lalla, Headmaster, St. John’s Preparatory School (South Africa)

How do you prioritize your own well-being and present an effective role model for your staff to do the same? Join leaders to discuss caring for yourself, managing stress, creating healthy cultures, practicing mindfulness, enhancing faculty wellness, and sustaining leadership energy.

Conversation 3

Thursday, November 26, 2:30 – 3:30 PM GMT

Write a New Narrative for Boys’ Schools

Guest Presenter: Tom Batty, Principal, Scotch College (Australia)

What is the narrative for your school? Explore ways to broaden definitions of masculinity, foster belonging in boys’ schools, create safe spaces for boys in our schools, view success in a modern context, marry tradition with the demands of modern society, and establish boys’ schools as places of purpose.

Facilitator

Alastair Land

Head Master of Harrow School (United Kingdom) Alastair Land went to Manchester Grammar School before he took a First in Natural Sciences at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was president of the college's Students’ Union.

After completing his PGCE at Cambridge, he began his career at Eton College (United Kingdom) as a biology teacher. There he became a deputy house master and held several extracurricular responsibilities including command of the CCF. Land then spent nine years at Winchester, where he was master in college and a member of the Senior Management Team.

Starting in 2012, Land served as deputy head master at Harrow for three years before he moved to Repton as headmaster. He returned to Harrow as head master in April 2019. He has retained his interests in outdoor activity and scholarship and is developing a process of strategic development of boys boarding in the 21st century.

Registration

IBSC member rate: $150

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.

Please note: Participants will receive detailed call information and meeting invitations after registration closes.